Introduction
Do you also imagine writing an article that will add value to your reader’s life?
But sometimes while writing, you get stuck and cannot make any progress with your work.
It means you are facing difficulty in writing your first draft.
Many writers have undergone the pain of writing the first draft. You might feel frustrated when you are not able to write what you imagined.
But the first draft is not meant to be perfect. You only write what you know and, in the process, learn more about your topic.
It is like building a solid foundation for your final write-up. Make it strong as much as you can and do the revisions later.
Also, one or two revisions are not sufficient to create a final polished article. You may have to revise your write-up several times.
In this article, we will discuss what the first draft is, why you cannot complete it, and how you can write it successfully.
What is the First Draft?
Your first draft is a first version or a rough sketch of your final piece of writing.
You create an outline of the topic and write all you know about it without editing.
It is possible to get stuck while writing your first draft. At this stage, continue writing from start to finish. You will have enough time to make changes later.
Why are you not able to Write Your First Draft?
Sometimes even after starting well, you are not able to complete your first draft. Before discussing how to write it perfectly, you must know what holds you back in writing it. You need to reprogram your mind and make some changes in your habits to overcome this problem.
Here are a few reasons why you are not able to write your first draft and what steps you can take to write it effectively:
Self-Doubt
Sometimes you might experience a lack of self-confidence. It happens when you stop believing in your abilities. You develop a fear of failure and think no one will appreciate what you have written. You should recognize these self-imposed limiting beliefs, conquer them, and start writing by pushing doubts aside.
Poor Time Management
Most of the time, you do not have enough time to write, or you do not consider writing as your priority.
Follow these tips to manage time effectively:
- Write during short breaks you take several times a day. This way, you write a few lines during each interval, and your word count will eventually grow.
- Reduce distractions. Anything that stops you from fulfilling your goal is a distraction. You can reduce them by keeping your phone in silent mode for a specified time, turning off notifications, reducing the time you spend on social media, etc.
- Spend less time on fun or less essential activities, such as watching TV, going out with friends, etc.
- Please commit to writing daily and set aside some time for it. Even if you can spare a few minutes daily, utilize them for writing.
Writer’s Block
At some point in time, you might feel like taking a break from writing. Find the root cause of this problem.
For example:
If you get stuck with a part of your writing, leave it to be completed later and move forward. Or you want to take a break from regular writing sessions. You have to experiment and find what suits you.
Not Writing Consistently
You must be dedicated and write consistently to succeed as a writer. Think about your purpose behind your writing and the goal you want to achieve. Taking small steps regularly will make you successful.
Select a Specific Location
Your brain gets used to a particular place for a specific activity. It does not need to be told every time what to do when you visit that place. Your subconscious mind gets programmed to perform that activity. So, setting a specific writing area will automatically send signals to your brain to indulge in a writing activity. Also, declutter that place to avoid distractions and increase productivity.
How to Write a Successful First Draft?
Writing the first draft seems to be a daunting task to many writers. Many writers fail to write their first draft and develop writer’s block. It can harm their writing career.
Though all writers have a different writing process, there are a few proven tips that every writer can follow to write the first draft successfully.
Let us discuss them one by one.
- Please select a topic on which you want to write and share it with your friends. You will have an idea of whether you should write about the chosen topic or not.
- Once you have decided on the topic, create an outline. Having a clear idea of what you want to write will motivate you to remain focused while writing your first draft. But it is not required to create a perfect structure. Write down points in whatever order they come to your mind and fix them later.
- Do not spend too much time researching the topic before or while writing. Write what you already know or do your research before writing. Add all the details later.
- Also, highlight the facts to be checked later. But do not interrupt your writing process.
- Do not focus on writing style and let the words flow naturally until you reach the draft’s end.
- Discard the habit of writing, reading, revising, and editing to make it perfect. It slows down the writing process.
- Do not check for grammar and spellings while writing. It will interrupt the flow of thoughts.
- Do not focus on maintaining order while writing. Also, if you get stuck with one section, move on to the next one.
- Have an accountability partner. He will motivate you to write within the specified time limit and hold you accountable for not writing.
- You can also join the writer’s community and can share your work and doubts with community members. They will give you the necessary feedback and motivate you to keep moving forward.
- When you ask for feedback, make it clear to everyone not to highlight grammar or spelling mistakes. Ask them only to provide valuable inputs related to the content.
Conclusion
Now we have highlighted various factors that act as a barrier in writing your first draft. You also now know what measures you need to take if you fail writing it.
Keep in mind that the first draft is never perfect. So do not get disheartened and keep writing. Free yourself from making everything perfect in the first attempt itself. Enjoy the process of developing the topic as you write.
Written by: Preeti Shah
Evaluated by: Rajinder Soni
