Steps for Drafting Your First Version

These steps are designed to help you move forward, whether you’re working on fiction, nonfiction, or a hybrid, building on the outlining advice we’ve discussed.

Start with Your Outline as a Guide: Use your outline (e.g., chapters or plot points) as a roadmap, but don’t be too rigid. Let it guide you while leaving room for new ideas. Write the sections that excite you most first if you’re feeling stuck.

Set a daily word count goal: Aim for a realistic target, like 500–1,000 words per day, based on your schedule. For a 70,000-word novel, that’s 70–140 days. Adjust your pace as needed—consistency beats perfection.

Write Without Editing: Silence your inner critic. Get your story or ideas out, even if they’re rough. Editing comes later—mark notes (e.g., “[add research here]”) and keep going. This prevents stalling over perfection.

Establish a Routine: Choose a consistent time and place to write, like 30 minutes every morning. Even a short habit helps build momentum. Treat it as a commitment, not an option.

Embrace imperfection: Accept that the first draft will be messy. Think of it as a skeleton—fleshing it out happens during revisions. The goal is to finish, not to polish it.

Use a Timer or Sprint Method: Try 25-minute writing sprints (using the Pomodoro technique) followed by 5-minute breaks. This helps maintain focus and prevents burnout, especially during longer sessions.

Let Characters or Ideas Lead: In fiction, allow characters’ voices to direct dialogue or actions. In nonfiction, follow the progression of the story or argument. Trust your instincts to fill in gaps later.

Reduce Distractions: Turn off notifications, choose a distraction-free writing tool (e.g., Scrivener, Google Docs in offline mode), or write in a quiet space. Focus boosts productivity.

Track Progress Visually: Use a chart, app (e.g., Notion), or simple checklist to mark completed sections. Seeing progress boosts motivation—e.g., “Chapter 3 done!”

Write Out of Order if Needed: If a later scene or chapter flows, write it now. You can stitch it together later. This keeps the creative juice flowing.

Take Breaks to Recharge: Step away after a session (e.g., walk, stretch) to prevent fatigue. Fresh perspectives often lead to better ideas when you come back.

Accept writer’s block as temporary: If you’re stuck, move to another section, write nonsense freely, or describe your environment in detail. Block fades with action—don’t wait for inspiration.

Backup Your Work: Save regularly to multiple locations (e.g., cloud services like Google Drive or external drives). A lost draft can kill morale—prevent it.

Celebrate Milestones: Reward yourself after finishing a chapter or reaching a word goal (e.g., a coffee or a movie). Positive reinforcement keeps you motivated.

Practical Example

Day 1 Goal: Write 500 words of Chapter 1 (e.g., an introduction scene for a time travel story).

Approach: Set a 25-minute timer, write nonstop, and note “[fix dialogue later]” if unsure.

Progress: Mark it on a chart, take a five-minute break, and repeat as needed if your energy permits.

Note: The first draft is about getting it down—think of it as a raw material mine. Your curiosity (e.g., time travel questions) could fuel a unique story, so lean into that. Start small, establish a rhythm, and don’t fear the mess—it’s all part of the process.