After years of having it in the back of my head, it was always one thing or another.
First, it was well I don’t have the right writing space.
Then it was : okay well I don’t have the backstory of my characters right. (because everything else can come later for a pantser like me)
Then it was: okay, but shoot do I do first or third person? Because while I enjoy first over third, third really is key to the element of how I want this portrayed.
Then it was: okay well I want to game, or read, or whatever.
Then….
I finally did it. I’m only about 2500 words in, and it’s nowhere ready for anything. I think I put pressure on myself before I realize…wait. this is MY story. it’s okay if the beginning is a little messy with world building and whatnot because…I can always change it later. and worst case, it’s not like it’ll be published anyways in this world. but it’s still fun to write!
I also may have been reading third person books lately to familiarize myself with how the best way to write it works. at least for me.
Anyways, I’m tired.
Have you guys started to write recently?
is it always beautiful first go?
Any struggles?
Any thoughts?
Just come hang out as we attempt to flesh out our first chapters
Congrats! Enjoy the ride You always start a new story on a high, but it goes away eventually. You gotta be prepared to face the dreaded Middle. It’s never easy. But if you stick it through it’s gonna be so rewarding.
The hardest part is starting, I’m proud of you for doing that. Now just keep building momentum and don’t stop. Remember, the first draft is to explore and get the idea to exist outside your head. It doesn’t have to be perfect, or even good. It’s just the beginning. Trust the process and give yourself permission to be messy. Most importantly, have fun with it!
yesss this is what I’m trying to remember. like dude, why are hyper focused on making sure it all flows right? The beginning chapters are ALWAYS what get rewritten! If not the entire story in all honesty, so I’m just letting it all flow out and see what happens! Learning to love writing my own works again, other than roleplays online <3
Yay! Congratulations. It can be hard to get the story onto paper and just hope the expanse we imagine shows up… I’m currently struggling with a series that’s been in my head for years. I have progress on some of the books, but somehow I never quite feel like I’m getting it right.
Honestly, when I wrote my first draft I thought it would be perfect. Then I got some beta reader feedback and reread it myself and realized it was a hot pile of trash lol. I pretty much used the first draft to explore characters, themes, and vibes, but it had no structure for plot at all. Then I wrote my second draft and it gave me a solid direction for that. I intend to use my third draft to make mostly minor edits and solidify the ending so it’s more satisfying, but it’s already come such a long way from the first draft.
The first draft is the worst draft but it’s also the most important because it gets things going. It’s not meant to be polished and perfect. Honestly, the first draft is also the most fun tho because you have the most freedom to just play with the characters, setting, and plot, and see what works best.
yessssss! Like to just write freely and get all the ideas and flow going, and then second is exactly what you’re saying. to revise, maybe add some easter egg type stuff, see exactly what you would want more of as a reader (maybe character growth and whatnot) and just keep going
ummmmmm i just picked it up back up again LOL don’t hate me!!! i’m now at 3,715
But! i did flesh out a few more things in my prep along the way so that’s nice too. i also have little time to write and then i sometimes lose the motivation—but i’m trying!
How has it been going since then?