Nobody likes to be told their work is ugly. It’s true. But many times, in the pursuit of producing excellent work, we find ourselves stuck in the muddy mire of overwhelm and perfectionism. Here is the truth we need to remember: perfectionism is the biggest stumbling block to progress. How many times have we procrastinated on writing a story, or abandoned the idea altogether because we cannot find the perfect word, sentence, or opening? It’s discouraging, isn't it? Sometimes it makes us question if we are even meant to write. But that shouldn’t stop you. That being said, this isn't permission to publish sub-par work. I am talking about your first draft, not your finished product. You shouldn’t be too focused on finding the perfect line or dialogue at the start of your writing. Instead, tell yourself these things:
“Nobody is going to buy my first draft anyway”
Your story isn’t going to a publisher or a customer at this stage. There is nobody to impress. It’s just you. Your only job is to write. And if you tend to be overly critical about yourself, you need to loosen the reins and allow yourself to get the story out. It is a step by step process; let yourself get through step one.
“My first draft is a foundation. Foundations are not seen, but they are the basis that holds up the building”
First drafts are usually a far cry from the finished product. The real magic happens during editing. But, you can’t edit a blank page. Your first draft, shoddy and ugly, filled with plot holes, typos, and poor dialogue, is the foundation you will build upon as you edit later on.
The bottom line: just write. You can worry about how it looks and reads later. And here is the silver lining: practice makes perfect - the more you write, the better and less ugly your first drafts will be. It takes time. You just have to be patient and keep at it. For guidance on how to get your first draft on the page, read this article: Novel Writing 101: A Simple Guide for Beginners
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