The Dos of Writing a First Draft
1. Do Write Without Judging Yourself
The first draft is about exploration, not perfection. This is your opportunity to let your imagination run wild and discover what your story is about without getting caught up in the details. Don’t worry about perfect grammar, polished prose, or even plot holes at this stage. You’ll have plenty of time to fix those in later drafts.
Tip: Give yourself permission to write badly. Embrace the messiness and trust that the magic of revision will shape your story later.
2. Do Set a Writing Schedule and Stick to It
Consistency is key when writing a first draft. Set a regular writing schedule and commit to it, even if you don’t feel particularly inspired on some days. The goal is to build momentum and make steady progress, not to wait for the "perfect" time to write.
Tip: Set daily or weekly word count goals that are realistic for your lifestyle. Even writing 500 words a day can add up