Writing First Drafts: Let that First Sentence be as Stupid as it Wishes by Olivia Salter

Writing First Drafts: Let that First Sentence be as Stupid as it Wishes 

 

by Olivia Salter

 

 When writing first drafts, convince yourself that you are working in clay, not marble, on paper, not eternal bronze. Let that first sentence be as stupid as it wishes. It may seem like an odd idea at first, but when you dig deeper, you realize the profound wisdom this statement holds. In a world that often idolizes perfection and eternal legacy, it is essential to remind ourselves that our creative endeavors are not set in stone but rather in a malleable medium like clay.

The analogy between working in clay and working on paper is a reminder of the impermanence of our creations and the liberating sense of possibility that comes with it. Clay and paper allow us to experiment, to make mistakes, and to embrace the creative process as a journey rather than a destination.

When we view our work as marble, we confine ourselves within the rigid boundaries of perfection and longevity. We become paralyzed by the fear of making errors or creating something that will not withstand the test of time. The weight of a legacy becomes a burden, stifling our creativity and inhibiting the exploration of new ideas.

However, when we embrace the concept of clay, we free ourselves from the shackles of perfection. We recognize that our creations are not meant to be eternal masterpieces but rather beautiful expressions of our present moment. This perspective allows us to delve into our creativity with a sense of spontaneity, experimentation, and freedom.

Working in clay signifies embracing the notion of imperfection. It encourages us to take risks and to celebrate the process rather than obsess over the outcome. Just like clay, we can mold our ideas, change them, and reshape them until we find the form that truly resonates with us.

Similarly, working on paper symbolizes the temporality of our creations. We acknowledge that our ideas and expressions are not fixed in stone but rather transient. Paper allows us to document our thoughts, sketches, and drafts, providing a tangible record of our creative journey.

Embracing the idea of working on paper serves as a reminder that our creative process is not linear but rather a series of iterations, revisions, and improvements. It encourages us to approach our work with a growth mindset, where mistakes are stepping stones towards progress and each stroke of the pen or brush is an opportunity for exploration.

Convincing ourselves that we are working in clay and on paper allows us to surrender to the joy of creation without being weighed down by the burden of perfection or an eternal legacy. It invites us to embrace the vulnerability and impermanence that come with the creative process, and through doing so, we discover the true essence of artistic expression.
So, let the first sentence be as stupid as it wishes. Let it serve as a gentle reminder that our creative endeavors are not bound by the expectations of eternity or flawlessness. Rather, they are shaped by our willingness to embrace the malleable nature of clay and the fleeting beauty captured on paper when writing and revising drafts.

First Draft: Overcoming the Fear of Imperfection by Olivia Salter

First Draft: Overcoming the Fear of Imperfection

 

by Olivia Salter

I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoving sand into a box so that I can later build castles.

-- Shannon Hale

 

Shannon Hale, an acclaimed author, once famously said, "I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoving sand into a box so that I can later build castles." In this insightful quote, Hale captures the essence of the creative process and the importance of embracing the imperfections that come with it.

Writing, like any artistic endeavor, is a journey. It begins with a blank canvas, a fresh sheet of paper, or a blinking cursor on a screen. The first draft is the initial layer where ideas take shape and words are written without restraint. It is a raw and imperfect collection of thoughts and concepts that might seem scattered and disorganized at first glance. But as Hale points out, this rough draft is merely the foundation upon which magnificent castles of storytelling can be constructed.

In the creative process, it is incredibly easy to get caught up in self-doubt and perfectionism. The pursuit of flawlessness can become paralyzing, stifling the creative flow and inhibiting progress. However, Hale's quote reminds us to embrace the messiness of the first draft and acknowledge that it is nothing more than sand being poured into a box. It is a liberating perspective that allows writers to overcome the fear of imperfection and focus on the ultimate goal: building marvelous castles.

Sand as a metaphor for the first draft possesses unique qualities that make it the perfect analogy. Sand is abundant, easily accessible, and free-flowing. It has the potential to fill any container, forming limitless possibilities. Likewise, a first draft is an overflow of thoughts and ideas poured onto the page without restraint, capturing the essence of the story waiting to be told.

However, just as sand alone lacks structure and stability, a first draft may seem disjointed and lacking in coherence. This is where the real magic happens. It is during the revision process that the writer, equipped with perspective and clarity, can begin to shape and mold that initial draft into something remarkable. Like a sculptor chiseling away at a block of stone, the writer meticulously carves out the excess, refining the story's structure, pacing, and character arcs. The initial sand begins to take form, transforming into the grand castles of storytelling.

Hale's quote serves as a reminder to budding authors and seasoned writers alike that the first draft is just the beginning, the starting point of a creative journey. It is an invitation to write fearlessly, to let go of inhibitions, and to allow ideas to flow naturally onto the page. By acknowledging that imperfections are an inherent part of the creative process, writers can liberate themselves from the burden of self-criticism and perfectionism.

The act of writing is a transformative and empowering experience. It allows individuals to explore the depths of their imagination, share stories with the world, and connect with readers on a profound level. And though the process may seem daunting at times, it is crucial to remember that every great work of literature began as a humble first draft.

So let us heed Shannon Hale's insightful quote and, with conviction, shove that sand into the box, knowing that from these simple grains we have the power to build extraordinary castles. Embrace the journey, embrace the imperfections, and trust in the creative process. The castles of storytelling await.

Permission to be Bad by Randy Ingermanson | Advanced Fiction Writing

 

Permission to be Bad

 

by Randy Ingermanson 

 

Advanced Fiction Writing

Writing a first draft is hard. You have to create a group of interesting characters in an interesting storyworld, force them into conflict in scene after scene, and never let the story go flat.

For some writers, writing a first draft is also fun. They write with abandon, pushing out the words, getting the story down on paper. But the problem is that when these writers finish the novel and actually look at what they wrote, they usually find that the first draft is bad.

For other writers, writing a first draft is torture. They labor over every single sentence. They sweat the small stuff and the smaller stuff. And then when the story’s finally written, and they actually look at what they wrote, they usually find that the first draft is bad.

There’s a pattern here.

The First Draft is Usually Bad

I suppose a few lucky writers don’t write bad first drafts. But most writers do.

And that’s OK.

For most writers, a bad first draft is the necessary step to writing a fairly good second draft. Which is the necessary step to writing a pretty good third draft.

And eventually, after enough drafts, the story turns into a very good final draft.

What If Your First Draft is Good?

That’s great, if your first draft is good! Super, actually. Amazing. You are not like most writers.

If you are lucky enough to write awesome first drafts, be happy. But don’t tell anyone, because most writers don’t, and some of them will get downright snippy if you tell them your first drafts are amazing.

Some of them will sneer at you and say that if you really can’t improve on your first draft, you can’t be much of a writer.

Pay no attention to those naysayers. But do get your manuscript edited, because even good manuscripts have issues.

But the fact remains that most writers write awful first drafts most of the time. I certainly do.

Is It Bad to Be Bad On the First Draft?

No, it’s not bad. It’s uncomfortable. It’s discouraging. It can be downright debilitating.

But it’s normal.

If you just remember it’s normal, that may keep you from beating yourself up.

You have permission to write a bad first draft. You have permission to be awful. You have permission to write the worst drivel ever.

Because you can fix it in the next draft. Or the one after that. Or the one after that.

But you’ll never fix it unless you first write it.

So get it written, as the old slogan goes, and then get it right.

And you have permission to take as many drafts as you need to get it right.

Homework—A few questions to think about

• Are you working on the first draft of a novel right now?
• Is it coming along more slowly than you’d like?
• Are you worrying too much about making it perfect?
• Would it hurt to leave some work for the second draft?
• Would it speed things up to give yourself permission to be bad? (Just for this draft?)

It may be that none of these questions apply to you. If not, then keep doing what you’re doing. But I’m betting these questions apply to a lot of writers.

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About The Author

Randy Ingermanson is a theoretical physicist and the award-winning author of six novels. He has taught at numerous writing conferences over the years and publishes the free monthly Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine.

 

 Randy Ingermanson Books at Amazon

 

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