Let’s get one thing straight: your first draft isn’t supposed to be perfect. In fact, it’s supposed to be messy. It’s supposed to be full of half-formed ideas, awkward sentences, and plot holes big enough to drive a truck through. And that’s okay. The first draft is where you figure out what your story is about. It’s where you explore, experiment, and make mistakes. Here’s why first drafts are supposed to be messy—and how to embrace the chaos.
The First Draft is for Discovery
The first draft is your chance to discover your story. It’s where you figure out who your characters are, what they want, and how they’re going to get it. It’s where you explore your world, test your ideas, and see what works. This process is messy because discovery is messy. You’re not supposed to have all the answers upfront. You’re supposed to stumble, backtrack, and figure things out as you go.
Perfection is the Enemy of Progress
If you’re trying to write a perfect first draft, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Perfectionism is paralyzing. It makes you second-guess every word, every sentence, every idea. It slows you down and sucks the joy out of writing. The first draft is not the place for perfection. It’s the place for progress. The goal is to get words on the page, not to create a masterpiece.
Messy Drafts Leave Room for Magic
Some of the best ideas come from the mess. When you’re not worrying about getting everything right, you’re free to take risks, try new things, and follow your instincts. You might stumble upon a plot twist you never saw coming, or a character who surprises you, or a theme that deepens the story. These moments of magic are what make writing exciting—and they only happen when you let yourself be messy.
How to Embrace the Mess
So, how do you embrace the mess and keep moving forward? Here are some tips:
- Set Realistic Expectations
Remind yourself that the first draft is just the beginning. It’s not supposed to be perfect. It’s supposed to be a starting point. Give yourself permission to write badly, to make mistakes, and to figure things out as you go. - Focus on the Big Picture
Don’t get bogged down in the details. Focus on the big picture—the plot, the characters, the themes. You can fix the details later. - Write Out of Order
If you’re stuck on a scene, skip it and move on. You don’t have to write your story in order. Write the parts that excite you, and fill in the gaps later. - Use Placeholders
If you don’t know the right word, the perfect description, or the exact dialogue, use a placeholder. Write “[describe the castle]” or “[add more emotion here]” and keep going. You can come back to it later. - Silence Your Inner Critic
Your inner critic is not your friend during the first draft. Tell it to take a break. Write freely, without judgment. You can edit later. - Celebrate Small Wins
Every word you write is a win. Every scene you finish is a win. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small.
The Mess is Where the Magic Happens
The first draft is where you take risks, make mistakes, and discover your story. It’s where you let your imagination run wild and see where it takes you. The mess is not something to fear—it’s something to embrace. It’s where the magic happens.
So the next time you sit down to write, remember: your first draft is supposed to be messy. It’s supposed to be imperfect. It’s supposed to be a work in progress. Give yourself permission to be messy, and see where it takes you.
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