OK.

How could I have possibly forgotten this crucial, important, so basic that every writer knows it, concept?

I’ve heard variations of this before.

That there is not great writing, only great rewriting (Justice Brandeis).

The purpose of the first draft is not to get it right, but to get it written (John Dufresne).

I don’t think anyone puts it quite as well as Hemingway, but you get the idea.

(Side note: Isn’t Hemingway wonderful? I so love it when highly intelligent people swear. It’s oddly exhilarating. Anyway, moving on).

There are countless writing books and blog posts and famous writer quotes that knock us over the head with this sample principle.

And yet… and YET, I still frigging forgot this.

I’m writing my second book. I finished the first draft in January, with the intention of having a complete manuscript ready by summer.

I know that all first drafts are shit. I know every writer goes back and polishes their work. Well, I knew it on a logical level, anyway. But I think I’m really starting to KNOW it on a deeper level.

There are some days (okay, weeks even) where I’m lazy with my writing routine. Where I don’t even want to think about how much work I have ahead of me.

I have to cut out entire chapters (yes, chapters!) and characters (even crucial ones!) and plot points because they just don’t jive with the story.

I’m looking for plot holes and weak points in my manuscript. I’m looking for ways to make strong characters, with believable backstories, motivations, feelings, aspirations, etc. I’m eliminating useless dialogue.

And even though I’m no where close to being done, and even though sometimes I want to bash my head against the keyboard or am tempted to just delete the whole frigging thing (which I wont), and even though so I’ve only changed little bits so far, I know my book is better for it.

Now that I’ve had this “epiphany” or whatever, I’ve had two recurring thoughts:

1) That the best results come from struggle.

2) That I’m not alone. That other writers must have had horrible first drafts, and lived to tell about it. (I’ll address this in part 2).

Consider thought #1, for a moment. Imagine someone working out at the gym. They do the same old routine every time they exercise. They never push themselves to do better. It’s easy.

They never try to run that extra lap, or lift a heavier weight, or whatever.

There’s no struggle, no pain, no sweat. And because of that, they’ll never see just how far they can go.

I believe that writing is the same.

If there is no struggle, there is no improvement.

It’s only through conflict that we grow.

Anyway. I am determined to persevere. Positive thoughts, and all that.

I will get rid of the garbage, and keep the gold.

Once again, Hemingway puts it the best.

(Side note: he really seems to like the word shit, doesn’t he? That must be why I like him).

Oh, I can’t resist. Here’s another:

Ahem. Anyway….

Stay tune for Part 2.

Is there a project you almost gave up on? What made it turn around?

Do you think there is a time when you should walk away from something you’ve worked on?

– Chelsey