Drafting is hard. Especially the first draft because all you can think about is how much it sucks! This is currently what I am struggling through, as I have hit the half mark in my novel I have dealt with a lot of hardships facing my draft. Here are a few of my tips on how to make drafting suck less, and how to motivate yourself to keep pushing through it!

Step 1: Accept It

Remember, all first drafts are awful. Even the most successful writers have terrible first drafts that they feel like tossing in the flames, so remember that you are not alone. Just accept that your first draft isn’t going to be amazing, and your second draft probably won’t either. Writing takes time, and it is going to take more time if you don’t accept it!

Step 2: Keep Writing

Now that you accepted it the only thing you can do is to keep writing. If you don’t keep writing your story will only be in your head, and you can’t rewrite and edit nothing so get those words down!

Step 3: Take Notes Along the Way

While your writing your draft it is important to just get it done, but also write down the ideas that pop up in your mind along the way to make your next draft even better. I have my little idea notebook next to me when I write so I can quickly jot down any ideas that come to mind, but then get right back into writing my story. Having these new ideas at your fingertips will make writing your next draft easier to write, since you will already have an idea of what comes next.

Step 4: Reward Yourself

Reward yourself! Maybe if you write everyday for an entire week, or five days a week (whatever works best for you), treat yourself. Tack on an extra thirty minutes to your TV or reading time, or take yourself to a coffee shop. Whatever you want most give that to yourself for keeping on track with your writing! (This is something I am doing because I have had a hard time keeping up with writing my draft!)

Step 5: Remember You Are Writing the Story YOU Want to Read

This is the most important step because if you aren’t writing the story for yourself, then what is the point? It is hard to write a story that you don’t want to write, or writing a story you aren’t passionate about, because then it will feel like a chore. Write the story you most want to read, and that will be the core of your motivation when it comes to writing.

That is all for this quick drafting 101 tips and I hope you enjoyed. Don’t forget to check out my last blog post and also follow me on my social medias! 🙂

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