It is common knowledge that crafting a first draft is always this painful task that most writers hate, especially newbies who are just starting out with writing. They think their writing is bad, that they will never get an agent, and I hate to say this but, well, your writing is bad and a first draft will certainly never get you an agent. And don’t bother going back and editing every single word you have written–that won’t help either.[image error]

Does that mean that you are destined to fail as a writer? The answer is no. You have to be aware that your first draft is only a FIRST draft; there has to be a second, a third, a fourth and maybe a fifth or a sixth draft in order to exist a final draft, ready to be sent to literary agents.

Many writers feel guilty for not being able to deliver a fantastic first draft and they usually end up abandoning their projects. However, the first draft of anything must suck, and here’s why:

If you keep editing your novel, you will never finish it. The first draft is always about telling yourself the story you want to write. Don’t worry about anything else. You will have plenty of time to edit your novel later.[image error]
Your first draft will never be perfect. Yes, that’s right. No matter how much effort you put into your first draft, it will never come close to what a final draft must be. There will always be typos and grammar crimes to solve in subsequent drafts.
No one will read your first draft, unless you want them to read it. Most writers keep their first drafts to themselves because they know it isn’t ready to be read by anyone.
If you are aware of your first draft’s low quality, then you should be proud. It proves that you know you can do much better. Self-criticism may be your worst enemy when drafting a novel, but you have to use it in your favor: remember that everything you write can be improved.
[image error]Your first draft is only the skeleton of the story you’re writing. Characters won’t be defined, subplots will be almost non-existent, descriptions are lacking. The first draft is always about discovering the main plot, and these things won’t be as important as you may believe. Just write the story and enjoy it. You will have to add layers as you go through different drafts anyway.
Your quality as a writer isn’t measured by the first draft of a novel. Your first draft sucks, but you don’t. Remember that you have to start somewhere and a first draft is digging clay out of the ground. Use it to create an unforgettable masterpiece.

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