Hey, welcome to my blog.
Well, I think I have really lost my writer marbles this time. Who would write 2 first drafts at the same time? Surely writing 1 first draft is enough pain and struggle?
That’s what I initially thought when my brain suggested this bizarre approach. The words, ‘no way!’ shot out of my mouth…as I sat on a busy train to London. The poor sleeping stranger next to me woke up with a jolt. I was forced to apologise to them, turn back to the train window and curse my writer brain for sending me ridiculous writing ideas.
After a hectic day in the office, a tasty burger at the station, a wander around the book shop and a sweaty sprint for the train as I’d got my timings wrong, I found myself sitting on a return train home considering my writer brain’s ridiculous and silly idea.
Here are my writer brain’s thoughts on this ridiculous idea:
Writing a first draft is simply a process which you go through to get the story out of your head and onto a Word document or a notebook. You are shovelling sand, a few old rocks and some pebbles into a cardboard box. Nothing else.
I don’t intend to edit and revise them at the same time. That process needs focus and concentration. I will do that one at a time.
The first draft will give me the rough material I need to start shaping and sculpturing the book. Without this material I just have a two page novel plan and a load of futile daydreams of me clutching a future bestseller.
My feelings towards my first drafts blow hot and cold. One day I am gushing with love at the thought of them and the next I am digging a hole in the garden to bury them. With two first drafts I could alternate between the two. When one feels like a pile oif literary wrongs I will just work on the other.
I have started writing my two first drafts. Here’s how things are going?
I prefer one story to the other at 10k words. I am still working on both but I have my ‘favourite’ draft child already. I wonder whether that will change? For noting – draft B is my favourite.
There is less stress with seeing them as cardboard boxes filled with sand and pebbles. They are simply containers. That’s it.
It’s nice to have something to fall back on when the words dry up on one.
Let me know your thoughts and let me know if there are any draft A fans out there because it’s starting to dislike it’s draft B sibling 🤣
Enjoy your day ❤️
Lucy Mitchell Author Blog 
Gosg, right now, I could only think of one at a time!
My name’s Richard and I’m a draftaholic. I have about eight stories in various stages of first draft. I love the concept because it means I always have something to work on. When the ideas for one dry up, I can switch and carry on. Of course, some of them have been around for years, it may be that I’ll never get any of them finished. Or perhaps they’re serving a useful purpose, keeping my writing muscles active?
Reblogged this on Kim's Musings and commented:
Interesting.
I can see the merit in having two drafts on the go at the same time, but I would worry that bits of one could bleed into the other… There is always another story lurking at the back of my mind when I write, so maybe I should have a go?
Reblogged this on Anita Dawes and Jaye Marie.
I have a short story in draft at the moment, but it’s not going right. (Yes, I know–shovelling sand into a box!) However, I thought, ‘Perhaps I’ve got the wrong MC.’ I’m considering writing it from another POV at the same time. I suppose that’s similar to what you’re doing.
Reblogged this on Jeanne Owens, author.
Reblogged this on https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
It sounds great. Myself i am doing this with almost every article i write. It gives me a feeling of satisfaction and having done something. 😉 Best wishes, Michael
I’ve always got a couple of books going at the same time. Sometimes I find going off to work on one will help my writer brain think about the other in the background, and when I go back to it I don’t struggle so much with knowing where to go next. A writing production line of sorts is how I have so many books out.