When I create a first draft I always take my time and try to do it the right way the first time. I’ve always shaped what I do around this saying, and it almost always pays off. I am naturally good at getting ideas out of my head and onto paper right away. Usually my first drafts are not much different in comparison to my last draft. This is because once I say or write something I tend to stick with it as I already took the time to analyze what I wanted to create or say to the best of my ability. I try to sprinkle in some more writing here and there afterwards, but it’s hard because my initial thoughts tend to be most fitting and proper.

 

The challenges this unfolds upon myself once I get to my second draft, is that it is hard for me to change things drastically (Especially if I strongly believe in what I stated). To me my first drafts are strong, well thought out sentences that I truly felt; I am extremely blunt and have always stood up for what I thought or believe in. This makes it difficult for me to change things afterwards because those were my feelings or statements initially. The second draft then turns into more of an editing draft for me personally. I then check my spelling and sentence structure. Going a little more in-depth with detail, and sprinkle in a few more things here and there.

 

For the most valuable advice, I believe that in Secret #2 reading a different variety of books as stated “Read. Good books, bad books, okay-but-not-especially-memorable books. Popular fiction and literary masterpieces. Non-fiction. Mainstream and genre, contemporary and historical. But don’t be oblivious to what makes them good, bad, or indifferent. Learn to read them critically, to see the bones beneath the surface. Learn how to recognize an ailing plot and the underlying cause. If you don’t read widely, how can you understand the rhythms and intricacies of good fiction, the ebb and flow of narrative tension? How can you see behind the illusion of flesh-and-blood characters to the words and ideas that give them life?”. This to me is the most efficient and critical thing. There’s a few reasons why it is as well that were clearly stated already; but this will show you what to do, what not to do, inspire, or maybe even flat out change your mind on everything you thought you knew.

 

Shope, B (2002) True Writing Is Rewriting. In G. Lazette, (Ed.) Vision: A Resource for Writers. Retrieved from Vision@sff.net