Ernest Hemingway was once quoted as saying the first draft is always crap. And that is the secret to overcoming any fear of writing you may have. If you have no expectations, you will not be disappointed. So, write for the waste basket. Just get it out of your head and down on paper (or the computer screen.)
Here’s a secret: no one, not even the greatest Pulitzer Prize winning writers in the world, get it right the first time. If you knock out a draft of your post with the idea that no one but you will ever see it, you are free to write whatever comes to mind.
If it sucks, just throw it in the trash. But, before you do, give it a good look through; you might just be surprised at how little tweaking you will need to turn it into something usable, and maybe even something great.
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ShihTzuSteve
Premium
A very valuable piece of training, AJ. I’m sure a lot of members are going to benefit from this. Content writing training usually consists of what to write and how much, this is the first one I’ve seen that covers the “how to”.
Steve.
Steve.
AJTrimble1
Premium
Awww... Thanks, Steve. That means a lot. I don't consider myself a "great" writer, and I'm certainly no guru, but I have been teaching writing for a bit now so hopefully people can get something out of it.
APachowko1
Premium
Hi AJ
A great introduction to how to write for beginners. People just get caught in the details of what to include, spelling and grammar. The longer a document is, the more likely it will have mistakes. Our brains work faster than we type. We are so critical of our own work and we think it is never good, but guess what some people will be impressed, others not much so. That's life.
The only difference I would make is that I wouldn't recommend that the first draft is made in front of a computer. The computer will mock you. Instead write the first draft using pen and paper. In that way, when you transcribe it to the computer you will make changes and therefore your second draft.
Thank you for this great training.
Antonio
A great introduction to how to write for beginners. People just get caught in the details of what to include, spelling and grammar. The longer a document is, the more likely it will have mistakes. Our brains work faster than we type. We are so critical of our own work and we think it is never good, but guess what some people will be impressed, others not much so. That's life.
The only difference I would make is that I wouldn't recommend that the first draft is made in front of a computer. The computer will mock you. Instead write the first draft using pen and paper. In that way, when you transcribe it to the computer you will make changes and therefore your second draft.
Thank you for this great training.
Antonio
AJTrimble1
Premium
Thanks for the suggestion, Antonio.
I agree with your thoughts on the first draft, but only in the sense that one must find what works for them.
For example, with my first drafts, I tend to "vomit" on the page, meaning I just want to get everything out as fast as I can. And since I can type a LOT faster than I can physically write, I actually have the exact opposite experience... it is the pen and paper that wind up mocking me with the cold stare of the blank page.
After all that typing, I tend to print out my writing where I can go through it, taking my time, correcting mistakes and editing for style.
As you can see, we both seem to follow the same process, only in a different order. And that's the beauty of writing: there's no one right way to do it. :-)
I agree with your thoughts on the first draft, but only in the sense that one must find what works for them.
For example, with my first drafts, I tend to "vomit" on the page, meaning I just want to get everything out as fast as I can. And since I can type a LOT faster than I can physically write, I actually have the exact opposite experience... it is the pen and paper that wind up mocking me with the cold stare of the blank page.
After all that typing, I tend to print out my writing where I can go through it, taking my time, correcting mistakes and editing for style.
As you can see, we both seem to follow the same process, only in a different order. And that's the beauty of writing: there's no one right way to do it. :-)
AJTrimble1
Premium
Try not to worry about it as you write. The act of "writing" actually involves two stages: the creative and the logical. Interestingly, each requires a separate part of the brain.
When we are writing the first draft, we are in the creative mode. Here we are just trying to get our ideas down. This creative act comes from the right side of the brain. This is where things like creativity and emotion live.
The logical mode is where we do all of our editing. We are using the left side of our brain. This is where things like logic, math, grammar, etc. live.
As you can see, since each requires a different part of the brain, the absolute worst thing you can do is the try and do both at the same time. The constant back and forth hinders your writing, slows you down, and simply wears your brain out; it's just too much to handle.
So, when it's time to write, write. When it's time to edit, edit. And, to quote Kipling, never shall the twain meet :-)
When we are writing the first draft, we are in the creative mode. Here we are just trying to get our ideas down. This creative act comes from the right side of the brain. This is where things like creativity and emotion live.
The logical mode is where we do all of our editing. We are using the left side of our brain. This is where things like logic, math, grammar, etc. live.
As you can see, since each requires a different part of the brain, the absolute worst thing you can do is the try and do both at the same time. The constant back and forth hinders your writing, slows you down, and simply wears your brain out; it's just too much to handle.
So, when it's time to write, write. When it's time to edit, edit. And, to quote Kipling, never shall the twain meet :-)
Nauna
Premium
Yes, it sure does wear the brain out. I'm always so ecstatic with a new post but it takes so much more time to get on with the next one because as you said the constant back and forth drives me crazy.
Now I feel motivated to JUST WRITE cause its actually easier and enjoyable.
Here's to Progress, not Perfection (well not just as yet hehe).
Thank you again. :-)
Now I feel motivated to JUST WRITE cause its actually easier and enjoyable.
Here's to Progress, not Perfection (well not just as yet hehe).
Thank you again. :-)
