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Why Don't You Write a Really Terrible First Draft?
by Shery Ma Belle Arrieta-Russ

Ann Lamott wasn't so subtle about what she thought of first drafts in her book, Bird by Bird. In fact, she started off by writing, "Now, practically even better news than that of short assignments is the idea of shitty first drafts. All good writers write them. This is how they end up with good second drafts and terrific third drafts."

I agree with her. First drafts are the roughest, and well, ugliest drafts. Writers often fall into the trap of expecting themselves to write shiny, perfect and very polished first drafts. What they don't know is that terrible first drafts enable them to explore different angles and find more ideas.

Here's what you do to start off with that terrible first draft and end up with a really good final draft:

1. Write everything down the first time. Keep those boring English and grammar rules locked up in your drawer.

2. Leave your first draft alone for a day or two.

3. Go back to your first draft and start crossing out unnecessary ideas, sentences or paragraphs.

4. Become your English professor. I know this may sound terrible but this is the time when you have to unlock your drawer and get those English and grammar rules out.

5. Pick out your best sentence or paragraph and make that your lead. Make sure your lead reflects or summarizes your article or story.

6. Write your second draft.

7. Go over this draft and see if you can still edit anything out. Firm this draft up.

8. Write your third draft.

9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 if necessary until you arrive at your best draft. Your best draft is your final draft. This is what you'll submit to editors.

10. Write another terrible first draft for another story or article and repeat steps 1 to 10.

Copyright © 2001 Shery Ma Belle Arrieta-Russ

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