:D It's when you realize before you even finish the draft that you already fucked it up and you have to go back and rewrite certain sections but the overall revision notes/themes/plotline stays the same so it's still draft six. This happens more and more the later drafts you get, because you've mostly nailed down the bones but you're still messing up insertion points, pacing etc.
Thank you Mallory . I wrote my first draft months ago and wasn’t happy with it. I haven’t had the confidence to start the second draft. Your process has inspired me to start. Thank you for sharing 💕💕💕
Awww this makes me so happy!! Yes, don’t worry at all if you’re not happy with your first draft. I would say most authors aren’t happy with it. But it’s not supposed to be good! It’s just you learning the story. You’ll make it better bit by bit with each future draft. Wishing you all the best with your next draft!
"Killing" those darlings is always the most challenging part of rewriting for me-deleting the scenes/characters and pieces that do not serve to move the story forward.
Same! I can’t imagine removing an entire character, but something I’ll have to keep in mind for my next project where there’s six main characters currently 😅
Right. I had a Kirkus reviewer tell me that some of the characters in my first novel were, “superfluous”. I kept them anyway, knowing what the reviewer did not: that it was the first book in a series and that those characters were necessary.
And I’m taking a novel writing course where they have an editor look at our chaptered outlines after the first draft so they can give us guidance before going into our developmental edits. It was honestly really helpful. If you’re looking for a similar thing, you could have an alpha reader or family/friend give it a look. Or I’m sure you could hire a freelance editor to look over your chaptered outline too
Same! I found draft 2 much harder than draft 1. Maybe because at that point we're like: "okay, this thing better start looking like a story now" haha. There's definitely more pressure.
Thank you for sharing this. I love the insights. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you try to decide where to start. Realizing that writing takes steps is a great help.
Good, I’m glad! Yes, writing an entire novel is so overwhelming, and the only thing that’s helped me is breaking it into much smaller steps and focusing on one thing at a time. Wishing you the best of luck!
Appreciate the structure! I have found it often merge draft 2 and 3 and then fine tune 3 in my editing passes. Never considered my editing passes as separate drafts before, but I like it!
I'm currently on my second draft, and the plot holes are killing me! But I think having a chapter outline will help, because I'm feeling kinda overwhelmed tbh 😅
Of course! I hope it was helpful. And yes, figuring out the plot holes in the second draft is SO hard!! That’s probably been the most difficult part of the entire writing process so far.
One trick I learned is to write down any plot holes/questions you’re unsure about in the back of a notebook and then just leave them be without thinking about them. Your subconscious will work on solving them in the background without your knowledge, and one day the answer will just pop into your head. It worked wonders for me!
Also, I wrote a post about how to write a chaptered outline if you need some guidance with it. Good luck (:
Highly recommend the chapter outline too! And I would add, if you can, to add a note of how each event leads to the next. It will really help show you if you are meandering in your plot!
Hey that’s huge!! Many people never even attempt a first draft, so you’re already ahead of the game. Just keep going one day at a time and I promise you’ll get there eventually!
Learning to write garbage drafts was a gamechanger for me too. My current dilemma is I want Alpha readers but I'm also scared to share my 2st draft with anyone because it's a mess...
Totally understandable! And it’s completely up to you. Sometimes getting early feedback (even when it’s a mess) is helpful, because they can point out what is and isn’t working and it gives you more clarity. But sometimes it can confuse you even more and steer you in a direction you don’t want to go down. I would just say trust your gut with it!
Ohh I so get that feeling! Do you know why your second draft is a mess and what you could do to make it better? I started sharing my drafts when I got to the point where I knew it still wasn't perfect but I didn't know exactly why or what to do about it. That way you avoid having people telling you things you already know, and you can make best use of their advice.
Thanks for sharing Mallory. 😊 It's always great to get some insight into someone else's process, especially when you're working through your own drafts.
Incredibly useful and a process I will adopt. Thanks Mallory. I'm sure I'll drift into other areas of editing on each draft, but I really like the intent and focus established for each one. I once heard the first draft described as the 'vomit draft' by another writer...lol...have a great day!
Thanks Troy! I’m glad you found it helpful and are able to incorporate some of the advice into your own process (: I also tend to drift into other areas of editing on each draft, as its hard to focus on solely one thing, but it’s definitely been helpful to create at least an intention for each draft!
Second draft sort of progressing? Trying very hard to keep to editing just the structure (I have too many characters and a sub plot that meanders) without spending too long on fixing some of the dialogue or character interactions. (that’s the next draft)
That’s awesome! Congrats on finishing the first draft. And I can totally relate. I kept wanting to line edit in the earlier drafts instead of just focusing on the structure. It’s hard to stick to just one focus!
Draft 2 (though technically draft 5 if I counted all the in-between writing and rewriting the first draft, which was horrendous!) 🤧😩 it's been wrangling me out!
I'm on the 6.2 or .3 draft of my seventh novel.
I'm in the lay down with my eyes closed and hope it all goes away part.
Hahahah that’s amazing, I’m sure I’ll get to that point eventually
You're super close. Then you can join me in the exquisite pain
Wow, what's a 6.2 draft? very curious haha
:D It's when you realize before you even finish the draft that you already fucked it up and you have to go back and rewrite certain sections but the overall revision notes/themes/plotline stays the same so it's still draft six. This happens more and more the later drafts you get, because you've mostly nailed down the bones but you're still messing up insertion points, pacing etc.
so true! Sometimes it’s encouraging, sometimes it’s reallyyyy depressing haha
Thank you Mallory . I wrote my first draft months ago and wasn’t happy with it. I haven’t had the confidence to start the second draft. Your process has inspired me to start. Thank you for sharing 💕💕💕
Awww this makes me so happy!! Yes, don’t worry at all if you’re not happy with your first draft. I would say most authors aren’t happy with it. But it’s not supposed to be good! It’s just you learning the story. You’ll make it better bit by bit with each future draft. Wishing you all the best with your next draft!
"Killing" those darlings is always the most challenging part of rewriting for me-deleting the scenes/characters and pieces that do not serve to move the story forward.
Yes, I feel that!! It’s definitely hard to let things go. But it always strengthens my story after I do it!
Same! I can’t imagine removing an entire character, but something I’ll have to keep in mind for my next project where there’s six main characters currently 😅
Right. I had a Kirkus reviewer tell me that some of the characters in my first novel were, “superfluous”. I kept them anyway, knowing what the reviewer did not: that it was the first book in a series and that those characters were necessary.
Glad you stuck to your vision!
In the trenches of Draft 2 and yepppp it's the hardest one in my opinion.
Also, how did you go about getting feedback on your outline? What was that process like?
My thoughts and prayers are with you haha
And I’m taking a novel writing course where they have an editor look at our chaptered outlines after the first draft so they can give us guidance before going into our developmental edits. It was honestly really helpful. If you’re looking for a similar thing, you could have an alpha reader or family/friend give it a look. Or I’m sure you could hire a freelance editor to look over your chaptered outline too
Same! I found draft 2 much harder than draft 1. Maybe because at that point we're like: "okay, this thing better start looking like a story now" haha. There's definitely more pressure.
Thank you for sharing this. I love the insights. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you try to decide where to start. Realizing that writing takes steps is a great help.
Good, I’m glad! Yes, writing an entire novel is so overwhelming, and the only thing that’s helped me is breaking it into much smaller steps and focusing on one thing at a time. Wishing you the best of luck!
Love your thinking 🖋️📜🕰️
Thanks Emma 🥰
Appreciate the structure! I have found it often merge draft 2 and 3 and then fine tune 3 in my editing passes. Never considered my editing passes as separate drafts before, but I like it!
Of course! And interesting! I love hearing how other writers do it. There’s so many different approaches we can take which is really cool
Thank you for beaking down the process.
I'm currently on my second draft, and the plot holes are killing me! But I think having a chapter outline will help, because I'm feeling kinda overwhelmed tbh 😅
Of course! I hope it was helpful. And yes, figuring out the plot holes in the second draft is SO hard!! That’s probably been the most difficult part of the entire writing process so far.
One trick I learned is to write down any plot holes/questions you’re unsure about in the back of a notebook and then just leave them be without thinking about them. Your subconscious will work on solving them in the background without your knowledge, and one day the answer will just pop into your head. It worked wonders for me!
Also, I wrote a post about how to write a chaptered outline if you need some guidance with it. Good luck (:
That's a good idea! I'll try that.
Nice, I'll check out your post about writing an outline ☺️
Highly recommend the chapter outline too! And I would add, if you can, to add a note of how each event leads to the next. It will really help show you if you are meandering in your plot!
Thank you for the tips!
This is an impressive process.
Thanks Greg! I honestly have no clue what I’m doing since this is my first book so I’m just winging it and learning it along the way 😂
When I was in my twenties, I thought the book writing process was put my adventures and insights into a book, then cash the check.
First draft! Still just trying to get it on paper, you know 😮💨😅
Hey that’s huge!! Many people never even attempt a first draft, so you’re already ahead of the game. Just keep going one day at a time and I promise you’ll get there eventually!
Learning to write garbage drafts was a gamechanger for me too. My current dilemma is I want Alpha readers but I'm also scared to share my 2st draft with anyone because it's a mess...
Totally understandable! And it’s completely up to you. Sometimes getting early feedback (even when it’s a mess) is helpful, because they can point out what is and isn’t working and it gives you more clarity. But sometimes it can confuse you even more and steer you in a direction you don’t want to go down. I would just say trust your gut with it!
Ohh I so get that feeling! Do you know why your second draft is a mess and what you could do to make it better? I started sharing my drafts when I got to the point where I knew it still wasn't perfect but I didn't know exactly why or what to do about it. That way you avoid having people telling you things you already know, and you can make best use of their advice.
Thanks for sharing Mallory. 😊 It's always great to get some insight into someone else's process, especially when you're working through your own drafts.
Of course! I’m glad you enjoyed it (: I also love seeing other people’s writing process!
Incredibly useful and a process I will adopt. Thanks Mallory. I'm sure I'll drift into other areas of editing on each draft, but I really like the intent and focus established for each one. I once heard the first draft described as the 'vomit draft' by another writer...lol...have a great day!
Thanks Troy! I’m glad you found it helpful and are able to incorporate some of the advice into your own process (: I also tend to drift into other areas of editing on each draft, as its hard to focus on solely one thing, but it’s definitely been helpful to create at least an intention for each draft!
Great process.
My first draft is done.
Second draft sort of progressing? Trying very hard to keep to editing just the structure (I have too many characters and a sub plot that meanders) without spending too long on fixing some of the dialogue or character interactions. (that’s the next draft)
That’s awesome! Congrats on finishing the first draft. And I can totally relate. I kept wanting to line edit in the earlier drafts instead of just focusing on the structure. It’s hard to stick to just one focus!
Draft 2 (though technically draft 5 if I counted all the in-between writing and rewriting the first draft, which was horrendous!) 🤧😩 it's been wrangling me out!
I needed this reminder. Every draft has a job and none of them are supposed to be perfect on the first try.