Writers World
by Peggy Bechko
Writing a first draft? Yeah, well, so am I. So I thought I’d bring up a few first draft points. Reminders for the experienced. Suggestions for the less experienced.
The first draft can be daunting. The urge to nit-pick everything from the beginning is there and it is strong. This applies to screen scripts and novels as well. I’ve done both and believe me that urge is always a haunting presence. I mean you know all this stuff. You shouldn’t hit dialog on the nose. You shouldn’t get too ‘wordy’. You need to avoid purple prose and writing. So, as a result you face the first draft with trepidation and you try to do everything ‘right’ on the first round.
Sorry, not happening. You have to be willing to cut ‘n chop, always. So the first draft needs to be whatever you throw on the page to allow your characters to bounce off each other, have fun and develop. See where it all takes you in the context of your brilliant idea. If you’re smart, no one but you is ever going to see that first draft of script or novel. Really. No one. First draft is not the time for sharing. Do what you need to, but not in public.