I'm announcing today that the roll-out of my updated site,
Haven4Writers, is complete.
Well, mostly.
Okay, I still need to insert all the marvelous endorsements that you have sent me in the past, along with images of your books, etc. I'm working
on that.
And that is my point today:
First Drafts are Imperfect. It's a Fact. Embrace it!
Whether we are talking about my revised website or your novel-in-progress, neither is going be perfect in the first draft.
And as if being a writer doesn't make you crazy enough, thinking every word must Zing! the first time around
will put you over the edge, for sure.
I have an article scheduled for WriteToDone.com coming out soon about this very subject.
But I wanted to share these important points with you now. Because too many writers are struggling with getting that first story out:
- You don't need to use every tool and speck of an idea in your current
story.
- Pick only what this particular story needs or overload can break your creative back.
- Lay out enough of a plot to get you going and stick to it.
- Sidestep potholes as you must but stick to your plan or you'll likely careen off the road altogether.
- Skip over troublesome words and jump over awkward scenes. Put a XX placeholder in those spots and just keep writing.
You
Can't Improve a Story That Isn't Written Yet
Complete your first draft. Afterwards you can remove those XX's, fill in any blanks, and adjust the things that simply didn't turn out like you wanted. Until you reach the end of version #1, and re-read it, you may find it difficult to fully grasp just what needs to be fixed or improved in version #2.
As for me, I'm thrilled with my website revisions. My heartfelt thanks to
Peter Calabrese who took my first versions of my websites (three of them!), rolled them into a single website, and executed the changes I envisioned.
And for opening my eyes to important and needed changes as well.
Which brings me to my next point:
Seek the Help You Need
You don't have to go it alone and you shouldn't! We never
have the perspective on our own writing. We need a second (third and fourth sometimes) pair of eyes. That is where experts come in darned handy.
Peter helped me make my revised site responsive on various devices, informed me of new trends in formatting, and yet respected the intentions I had in mind.
As an editor, I'm glad to provide that for you in your stories.
Need help? Have questions on your first--or
umpteenth--draft? Let me know! I'd be glad to help.
