What Are the Guidelines in Writing a First Draft?

If you’re staring at a blank page, the thought of writing a first draft can feel like the hardest part of the process.

We all dream of writing perfectly polished stories, but the truth is—the first draft isn’t about perfection.

It’s about getting your ideas down on paper.

So, how do you begin?

What’s the best way to approach that initial draft without getting overwhelmed or paralyzed by the pressure?

In this post, I’m breaking down a few simple, no-nonsense guidelines for writing your first draft.

These steps will help you get started, stay focused, and, most importantly, keep your creativity flowing.

Plus, I’ve got a First Draft Essentials Checklist that you can download for free when you sign up for my newsletter.

It’s a helpful tool to keep you on track, from page one to the very end.

 

Embrace the Chaos

Here’s the truth: your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect.

In fact, it’s going to be messy.

And that’s completely okay!

The key is to embrace the chaos.

Just write, even if the words don’t feel polished or perfect.

Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or whether your sentences make sense. Just keep moving forward.

You can fix all of that in later drafts.

Think of this as your raw material.

Your job in the first draft is simply to get the ideas out of your head and onto the page.

You can always clean it up later.

 

Focus on the Big Picture

When writing your first draft, it’s easy to get caught up in the smaller details.

• What colour is the protagonist’s shirt?

• How many candles are on the dinner table?

While these details will be important later, the first draft is all about the big picture.

Focus on advancing the plot, developing characters, and capturing the essence of your story.

Don’t worry about perfect dialogue or deep descriptions.

Those can come later in revisions.

For now, keep things moving forward and get to the heart of your story.

 

Let the Story Evolve Naturally

The first draft is the stage where you can explore and experiment.

Don’t be afraid to let the story take you in unexpected directions.

Maybe your character does something you didn’t plan, or your plot takes a turn you hadn’t imagined.

Let it happen.

If you’ve got a loose outline, great.

If not, don’t stress about it.

The first draft is the time to let the characters and plot evolve naturally.

Trust the process and see where your creativity takes you.

 

Write Without Overthinking

Perfectionism is the enemy of progress, especially in the early stages.

It’s easy to want everything to be just right, but that will only slow you down.

Write freely without overthinking every word or sentence.

You’ll have plenty of time to tweak and polish later.

Instead of getting bogged down by self-doubt or second-guessing yourself, give yourself permission to write the “bad” stuff.

Let the ideas flow even if they feel half-baked or rough.

This draft is your opportunity to explore and find what works.

Once the bones of your story are on paper, you can start refining.

 

Set Small, Achievable Goals

Writing a novel is a huge task, and it can be overwhelming if you try to tackle everything at once.

To keep things manageable, break your writing down into small, achievable goals.

This could mean setting a word count goal for the day, or writing one scene or chapter at a time.

This helps build momentum and keeps you from getting discouraged.

Even if you only write 500 words a day, that adds up.

Before you know it, you’ll have a complete first draft—and that’s a huge accomplishment.

 

Conclusion

So, to sum it all up: writing your first draft is all about getting the words on the page.

Don’t worry about perfection.

Focus on the big picture, let the story evolve, and write without overthinking.

And above all, be kind to yourself—the first draft is just the beginning.

If you’re ready to get started, remember, I’ve created a First Draft Essentials Checklist that you can download for free when you sign up for my newsletter.

It’s a great way to make sure you’re covering all the important bases and staying on track as you write.

And if you need a bit more help, The Ultimate Author’s Planner is here for you, too.

It’s designed to keep you organized, so your writing process feels less overwhelming, from drafting all the way to revision.

The first draft is your chance to get your story out into the world—so let your creativity flow, and enjoy the journey.

 

Need more help?

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Visit the Author’s Toolkit now to explore and find the perfect tools to make your writing journey a success.

All guides are also available individually, so you can choose exactly what you need!

 

Happy writing,