You Can Write

Why Your First Draft Is Supposed to Stink—and Why That’s a Good Thing

If you’ve ever tried to write a book, you know the first draft is a beast. It's messy, it rambles, and sometimes it feels like your story is actively fighting against you.

Here’s the good news: your first draft WILL STINK. The good news is, its messiness is a vital part of the process. The most important thing about your first draft isn’t perfection—it’s getting it done.

Here’s why you should embrace the chaos and stop worrying about your first draft.

1. You Can’t Edit What Doesn’t Exist

Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. If you’re constantly editing as you write, you’ll never finish. The beauty of the first draft is that it doesn’t need to be polished—it just needs to exist. Your job is to pour your ideas onto the page, however imperfectly. Think of it…

Close the scene with a to be continued - not a conclusion

Good: The boy’s chest tightened with a strange mix of fear and exhilaration. The air smelled sharper now, tinged with something electric and unfamiliar. Whatever had just happened, he knew it was the beginning of something far larger than himself.

Poor: With the orb warm in his hand and a newfound determination sparking in his chest, he slung the sack back over his shoulder and started back down the path.