Steal My Top 10 Tips for Surviving Your First Draft
Your First Draft Is a Hot Mess—And That’s Exactly the Point
Writing a first draft is a wild ride, isn’t it? One minute, you’re riding high on the wave of creative genius, and the next, you’re convinced every word you’ve ever written is trash. Welcome to the trenches of drafting—equal parts chaos, self-doubt, and stubborn determination.
Here’s the thing: all those tests of willpower and sanity you’re dealing with? Totally normal. They’re not proof that you’re a bad writer—they’re just proof that you’re writing.
Let’s break it down. A first draft is supposed to be messy. Like, gloriously messy. It’s not the time to agonize over perfection or get stuck in the endless loop of “edit as you go.” That’ll just derail the real job here: spilling the story onto the page so you’ve got something—anything—to shape later.
Right now, it’s all about discovery. Figuring out what your story wants to be. Giving yourself permission to write the wrong things, take weird detours, and, yes, churn out pages that might make you cringe later. That’s the process. It’s crazy, sexy, creative chaos—and it’s supposed to be.
The truth? The only thing you really need to focus on is this: keep writing. Trust your creative process, no matter how weird, unstructured, or unhinged it feels. Write without judgment. Without the inner critic breathing down your neck.
And if you need a little reassurance that you’re not alone in this beautiful mess, I’m sharing some amazing quotes from fellow writers to remind you that you’re in excellent company. They’ve all been there too—stuck in the thick of it, wondering if the struggle is worth it. Spoiler: it is. So, write on. Your messy, magical little monster of a draft is waiting.
1. Embrace the Chaos
Stop trying to make your first draft perfect—it’s not supposed to be. The whole point of a first draft is to be messy, chaotic, and, frankly, a little unhinged. Think of it as the creative explosion before the cleanup crew arrives. Nobody’s grading this thing. Nobody’s peeking over your shoulder with a red pen. You don’t need polished prose or poetic brilliance; you just need words on the page. Forget what your eighth-grade English teacher drilled into your head about perfect grammar—this is about letting your brain dump all the ideas it’s been hoarding like an overstuffed junk drawer.
Write the clunky sentences. Let the dialogue sound like a soap opera if it gets the point across. Introduce a character named [insert name later] and move on. Plot holes? Sure, dig ‘em deep. Your job right now isn’t to impress anyone; it’s to get the story out of your head and onto the page before self-doubt decides to crash the party.
The chaos is where the magic hides. It’s in the unfinished thoughts, the wild plot twists, and the bizarre metaphors that don’t make sense—yet. This is where you uncover the good stuff. You can’t edit brilliance into a blank page, but you can shape something raw into gold. So, embrace the chaos. Own it. Your polished masterpiece is waiting at the finish line, but for now? Let it be a glorious mess.
“I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so later I can build castles.” —Shannon Hale
2. Keep the Momentum Going
Here’s the thing about first drafts: they’re like riding a bike downhill. Once you get going, the momentum can carry you—if you let it. The key is not to stop and overthink every bump in the road. Sure, the urge to tweak that clunky sentence or fix the pacing of Chapter 3 is strong, but if you hit the brakes every time you feel unsure, you’ll stall. And once you stall, it’s so much harder to start pedaling again.
Momentum is everything. Writing a first draft is less about getting it “right” and more about keeping the story alive. Even if your characters are wandering aimlessly or your plot feels like it’s held together with duct tape and hope, just keep writing. Trust me, it’s better to have a messy scene where something—anything—happens than a perfect half-finished draft that’s going nowhere. Progress, even imperfect progress, is what keeps you in the flow.
And don’t get hung up on yesterday’s work. Resist the urge to go back and re-read too much. It’s a trap. Yesterday’s words don’t matter right now—today’s words do. Keep pushing forward, even if what you’re writing feels like a disaster. You can fix a disaster later, but you can’t fix a blank page. So, no second-guessing, no detours, no stopping to “just double-check” that scene from Chapter 2. Momentum is your secret weapon—don’t lose it.
Hot Tip: When you have those ideas about edits, instead of interrupting your first draft flow, write the edit notes down on a Second Draft To Do List. This list will be your personal guide when the time comes to clean up your story and make it sparkle.
“Very few writers know what they’re doing until they’ve done it.” —Anne Lamott
3. Trust Your Instincts
Your instincts know the way. That gut feeling about where your story should go? It’s probably right. The wild twist you’re debating? Do it. That character who refuses to shut up in your head? Let them talk. Writing a first draft is all about leaning into those creative impulses, even when they don’t make sense on paper yet. You don’t need to explain or justify them—you just need to trust them.
Here’s the deal: your instincts are the part of you that already knows how to tell a story. They’re not weighed down by overthinking or perfectionism; they’re fueled by your love of writing and that spark of creativity that got you to start this draft in the first place. Sure, your logical brain will try to butt in and whisper things like, “This makes no sense,” or “That’s not how it’s done.” Ignore it. Your instincts are the ones that make your story uniquely yours.
Even when it feels messy or uncertain, trust that there’s a reason your brain is steering the ship in that direction. Maybe the twist doesn’t fit the big picture yet, or the dialogue feels clunky, but that’s what the second draft revision is for. Right now, your job is to listen to that quiet, creative voice nudging you toward the unexpected. It’s leading you to the heart of your story—you just have to trust it enough to follow.
“The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” —Terry Pratchett
4. Outline (or Don’t) Your Way
There’s no “right” way to outline—or not outline—your first draft. The only rule? Do what works for you. If you’re the type who needs color-coded charts and sticky notes covering your walls like a murder board in a crime drama, go for it. If outlines make you break out in hives and you’d rather dive into the blank page headfirst without a plan, that’s cool, too. This is your draft, and your process doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.
Some people love the structure of an outline—it’s like a map that keeps them from getting lost. And hey, if that’s your vibe, outline away! Bullet points, full synopses, scene-by-scene breakdowns—whatever helps you keep the chaos in check.
But if you’re the kind of writer who likes to discover the story as you go, trust that instinct. Let the characters surprise you, let the plot twist itself into knots, and embrace the unpredictability of it all. Sometimes the best ideas come when you have no idea what’s coming next.
And here’s the thing: you can mix it up. You don’t have to be Team Outline or Team No Outline. Start with a plan and abandon it halfway through if that’s what feels right. Write freely, then sketch out a loose roadmap if you get stuck. The beauty of the first draft is that it’s your playground. Structure it, wing it, or do some weird combination of both—it doesn’t matter, as long as you keep writing.
“There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.” —Beatrix Potter
5. Set Realistic Writing Goals
Writing goals are great—until they feel like a setup for failure. Let’s be real: promising yourself you’ll finish your first draft in three weeks when you’ve got a full-time job, kids, and a laundry pile that’s become a sentient being isn’t exactly realistic. Unrealistic goals don’t motivate you; they drain you. So, instead of shooting for the moon and landing in a crater of burnout, let’s aim for something achievable.
Think small and steady. Instead of “I’ll write 5,000 words a day,” try “I’ll write for 20 minutes” or “I’ll finish this one scene.” Little wins add up faster than you think, and they’re way less stressful. Plus, when you hit those small goals, you’ll feel like a rockstar. That energy? It’s the secret sauce to keeping your momentum going.
And don’t forget to give yourself some grace. Life happens. Some days you’re in the zone, knocking out chapter after chapter. Other days, opening your laptop feels like climbing Mount Everest. It’s okay. Writing a first draft isn’t about sprinting to the finish line; it’s about showing up consistently, even if it’s just for a paragraph. So, set goals that fit your life, celebrate every step forward, and remember: slow progress is still progress.
“What you chose to write about is far more important than any decisions you make about how to write it.” —John Truby
6. Don’t Get Stuck on Details
The color of your protagonist’s eyes does not matter right now. Neither does the name of their hometown, the exact layout of their kitchen, or whether the cafe they just walked into serves oat milk. First drafts are not the time to obsess over details—they’re the time to tell the story. IT’s the skeleton of your story that matters right now, not the outfit and makeup.
Getting stuck on details is like trying to decorate a cake before you’ve even baked it. Sure, you want things to look polished eventually, but right now, you’re just mixing ingredients and hoping it doesn’t explode in the oven. Write “[insert something cool here]” if you need to. Drop in placeholders like “[small-town name]” or “[badass sword description],” and keep moving. No one’s going to see this draft but you, and future-you will thank you for powering through instead of agonizing over whether the villain’s cloak is red or black.
When in doubt, remind yourself: you can always fix it later. That’s what revisions are for. First drafts are about momentum and discovery, not perfection. So, give yourself permission to leave a mess in your wake. You’re building the bones of the story now—the muscles, skin, and fancy outfits come later. Trust that the details will fall into place when the time is right, but for now? Keep writing.
“If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word.” —Margaret Atwood
7. Create a Writing Habit
Writing a first draft isn’t about waiting for inspiration to strike—it’s about showing up, over and over again, even when you’d rather do anything else. The secret sauce to finishing your draft? A solid writing habit. It doesn’t have to be glamorous or involve elaborate rituals with candles and mood music (unless that’s your thing). It just has to be consistent.
Pick a time and place that works for you, and make it sacred. Whether it’s ten minutes in the morning before the chaos of the day begins or a late-night session with a cup of tea, carve out that space and guard it like your favorite snack. Writing doesn’t have to take hours—short bursts can be just as effective, as long as you keep showing up.
And let’s be real: not every session is going to feel productive. Some days, you’ll crank out a thousand words like a champ; other days, you’ll stare at the screen and wonder if your brain is broken. That’s normal. The point of a writing habit isn’t to produce brilliance every time—it’s to keep the story alive. It’s about building momentum and making writing a part of your routine, like brushing your teeth or scrolling Instagram (but, you know, more useful).
The more you show up, the easier it gets. Writing becomes less of a struggle and more of a rhythm. Before you know it, those small, consistent efforts add up to something huge: a finished first draft. So, start small, stay steady, and trust the process. You’ve got this.
“Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.” —Mary Shelley
Steal my best hacks for maintaining momentum:
8. Silence Your Inner Critic
Your inner critic? Yeah, they need to sit down and be quiet. First drafts are no place for perfectionism or second-guessing. But that little voice in your head—the one telling you this chapter is trash, your characters are flat, and your plot has more holes than a block of Swiss cheese—loves to pipe up right when you’re starting to find your groove. Spoiler: they’re not helping.
First drafts are messy by design. They’re supposed to be clunky and awkward. The whole point is to get the story out of your head, no matter how rough it looks. Letting your inner critic hijack the process is like stopping a marathon every five minutes to re-tie your shoes. You’re just slowing yourself down and losing momentum.
So, the next time that voice starts picking apart your work mid-sentence, kindly tell it to take a seat. Your job isn’t to write perfectly—it’s to write something. You can edit bad writing, but you can’t edit a blank page. If it helps, remind yourself that nobody will see this draft except you. It’s a private sandbox, and you’re allowed to make a glorious mess without judgment.
Silencing your inner critic takes practice, but every time you choose to push forward instead of getting stuck, you’re taking back control. Trust the process. Your inner editor can have their turn later, but for now? Let them sip their coffee in the corner while you keep writing.
“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” —Louis L’Amour
9. Experiment Without Fear
Stop trying to make your first draft perfect. Seriously, just let it be messy. A first draft is not the time to edit or worry about structure—it’s your chance to experiment without fear. The beauty of the first draft is that it’s all about discovery. It’s like dipping your toes in the water to see where the current takes you, and sometimes, the current is totally unexpected. Maybe you’ll write a scene that feels totally off, but that’s okay because in the mess, you’ll uncover something new and exciting. The key is to embrace the chaos. If you’re too worried about making it perfect, you’ll get stuck in your head, and nothing will flow.
The first draft is the place where your wildest ideas should live. Don’t worry if your plot feels like a jumbled mess or your characters are behaving in ways you didn’t expect. That’s the point! You’re experimenting. You’re playing with possibilities. So, go ahead and try that crazy twist or write your characters in situations you never imagined. This is your creative sandbox, and you’re allowed to make mistakes. In fact, you should make mistakes. Those “failures” will lead you somewhere. Maybe the plot twist didn’t work, but it might spark a new idea or connection that you would’ve never found if you stayed in your comfort zone.
And here’s the secret: the more you let go of the fear, the easier it becomes to write. It’s like riding a bike—at first, it’s wobbly and awkward, but once you get going, it becomes second nature. So, stop overthinking every word and let your ideas flow freely. You’ll be amazed at what you create when you stop trying to control the process and just let yourself experiment. It’s in the mess that the magic happens.
“It is perfectly okay to write garbage—as long as you edit brilliantly.” —C.J. Cherryh
10. Focus on Story, Not Style
First drafts aren’t about making every sentence sparkle—they’re about telling the story. You know, the actual guts of it: what’s happening, why it matters, and what your characters are doing about it. Style is great, but it can wait. Right now, your focus should be on answering the big questions: What does your main character want? Do they get it? Or does the universe throw them the plot-twist equivalent of a banana peel?
Forget about nailing the perfect metaphor or spending an hour debating whether the sky is “cerulean” or just plain “blue.” That’s not what makes readers care. Readers are hooked when your characters have clear goals, real stakes, and some juicy obstacles in their way. The pretty words? They’re the cherry on top, not the sundae itself.
And hey, if you’re stuck on how to craft scenes that actually pull readers in (and keep them there), I’ve got you covered. Check out my blog for tips on writing scenes that hook readers and keep the story momentum alive. But for now? Stop stressing about style, and get the story down. You can’t polish a page that doesn’t exist, so let the words be messy and focus on what your characters want. The rest will come later.
“Books aren’t written—they’re rewritten. Including your own. It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn’t quite done it.” —Michael Crichton
Your Next Move
Your first draft isn’t a finished product—it’s the raw material you’ll mold into something incredible later. It doesn’t matter if it’s messy, chaotic, or full of plot holes; what matters is that you finish it. The magic happens in the revision process, but you’ve got to start somewhere.
Need more inspiration? Check out my blog on 18 Creative Writing Tips to Start Strong to keep your writing energy alive and thriving. Because you’ve got this, and your story deserves to be told. Your future readers are waiting.
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