The Beauty of a Bad First Draft: What You Can Learn and What’s Next
Write that terrible poem. Draft that awful story. By embracing bad first drafts, you not only improve your writing but also learn valuable lessons.
Have you ever looked at a blank page, ready to write the next bestseller, only to end up with a mess that looks like it was written by a caffeinated squirrel? Welcome to the world of bad first drafts! In honor of Bad Poetry Day, let’s celebrate the ugly, chaotic beginnings of writing and explore why they’re not just okay but downright essential.
The Unfiltered Creativity of a Bad Draft
When you’re pounding away at your keyboard, churning out that first draft, you’re in pure creative mode. It’s like throwing paint at a canvas—sure, some of it might look like a toddler’s finger painting, but there’s a chance you’ll create a masterpiece (or at least find a section worth keeping). Bad first drafts are where ideas run wild without the constraints of grammar, structure, or logic. They’re the raw, uncut gems of your imagination.
Think of your first draft as a brainstorming session. No idea is too silly, no sentence too weird. This is your time to let loose and see what sticks. Who cares if your protagonist suddenly decides to become a tap-dancing astronaut halfway through the story? That’s what revisions are for!
And the truth of it is, no first draft is ever perfect.
Learning from the Chaos
Bad first drafts teach you more than you might realize. Here are a few nuggets of wisdom you can extract from that literary mess:
1. Finding Your Voice
In the midst of your rambling prose, your unique voice starts to emerge. The quirks and style that make your writing distinct come out when you’re not obsessing over perfection.
2. Seeing the Big Picture
A first draft helps you lay down the broad strokes of your story. It’s like a sketch before the final painting. You get to see the overall shape and structure, even if the details are still fuzzy.
3. Overcoming Perfectionism
Nothing kills creativity faster than the pressure to be perfect. A bad first draft gives you permission to be imperfect, to make mistakes, and to write without fear of judgment.
4. Identifying Plot Holes
Those glaring inconsistencies and plot holes become more apparent when you see everything laid out. It’s easier to fix a plot that’s been fully written, even badly, than one that’s still in your head.
The Second Draft: Polishing the Gem
Once you’ve embraced the chaos of your first draft, it’s time to dive into the next stage: revision. Think of your first draft as a lump of clay. Now, you get to mold and shape it into something beautiful. Here are some tips for tackling that second draft:
1. Take a Break
Give yourself some distance from your first draft. A few days—or even a week—can help you see your work with fresh eyes.
2. Read with a Critical Eye
Approach your draft as if you’re a reader, not the writer. What works? What doesn’t? Where do you lose interest? Take notes and mark up your manuscript. (This part is less painful if you’re looking at it objectively. Hence being the reader, not the writer.)
3. Focus on Structure
Before diving into line edits, make sure the structure of your novel is solid. Are the scenes in the right order? Does the plot make sense? Do the characters have clear motivations?
4. Edit Ruthlessly
Don’t be afraid to cut scenes, characters, or even entire chapters. If something doesn’t serve the story, it’s got to go.
5. Get Feedback
Share your draft with trusted friends, writing groups, or beta readers. Fresh perspectives can provide invaluable insights. (Because, let’s face it, you can’t be impartial no matter how hard you try.)
Imperfection Is Necessary
If bad first drafts teach us anything, it’s that imperfection is not just acceptable but necessary. This idea extends far beyond writing. Your first attempt at anything, whether it’s a new job, hobby, or relationship, is bound to be messy. You might feel like you’re floundering, making mistakes, and generally not having it all together.
But that’s okay! Each experience, no matter how chaotic or “bad” it seems, is an opportunity to learn and grow. Just like with writing, the key is to keep going, to revise, and to improve. Embrace your mistakes, learn from them, and use them to create a better version of yourself.
Keep Writing, Keep Living
So, the next time you find yourself staring at a terrible first draft, whether it’s on paper or in life, remember: it’s all part of the process. Bad drafts are the stepping stones to something great. They’re where you find your voice, learn from your mistakes, and ultimately, create something worth sharing.
May your first drafts be ever messy and full of potential!
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Shaelyn Topolovec earned a BA in Editing and Publishing from BYU, worked on several online publications, and joined the Familius family. Shae is currently an editor and copywriter who lives in California’s Central Valley.