Writing A Fast First Draft
By Sophfronia Scott

When my work is going too slowly I know exactly what the problem is: my internal editor is switched "on", and I'm trying to write too perfectly. In other words, I'm editing as I write. Once I switch that baby off, though, I'm flying. It's a good trick for you to learn as well because writing a fast first draft may be the key to finishing your book! Here's why:

Rewriting is Easier Than Writing

When you're working on a revision, you have real stuff to contend with: there are words on the paper or on the computer screen. Often our biggest obstacle is that blank screen. To get past it you must write quickly and put anything down, even if it's all the wrong stuff. When you finally do go back to edit, reading will spur you to further action because you'll immediately ask yourself, "How can I make this better?"

Your Book: a Reality

When your first draft is done, suddenly your book is real. It's no longer an abstract idea in your head. You now have something to offer, even if you wouldn't show it to anyone just yet. It's something you can look to with confidence. If you happen to meet an agent or an editor, for instance, you can say without hemming or hawing: "I'm working on a book and I have something I can show. It's in the rough stages, but I can polish it up and send you the first three chapters if you're interested." And you can do that. You don't have to go into panic mode because you haven't written a thing.