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10 Essential First Draft Tips to Help You Finish Your Novel
For any novelist, the first draft is a unique and often challenging beast. It’s the raw, uninhibited, and often messy process of getting your story out of your head and onto the page for the very first time. The goal of a first draft is not to create a masterpiece; the singular, all-important goal is simply to finish it.
Many aspiring authors get stuck in this phase, paralyzed by the fear of not being “good enough.” But professional writers know that the first draft is not about being good; it’s about getting the story down. This guide provides 10 essential tips to help you silence your inner critic, build momentum, and reach “The End.”
Key Takeaways & Summary
- The Only Goal is to Finish: The purpose of a first draft is to have a complete story to work with. It does not need to be perfect; it just needs to be done.
- Silence Your Inner Editor: You cannot write and edit at the same time. Give yourself permission to write badly.
- Consistency Over Intensity: A small, consistent daily writing habit is far more effective than waiting for huge bursts of inspiration.
- Embrace the “Shitty First Draft”: This concept, famously articulated by author Anne Lamott in her book Bird by Bird, is the key to creative freedom.
The Top 10 First Draft Tips for Novelists
1. Your Only Goal is to Get to “The End”
This is the most important tip. Do not worry about prose, style, or perfect dialogue. Your only job is to tell yourself the story from beginning to end.
2. Turn Off Your Internal Editor
The voice in your head that tells you your last sentence was clunky is the enemy of the first draft. You cannot create and critique at the same time. Give yourself permission to write terrible sentences, use clichés, and make mistakes. You will fix it all later.
3. Build a Consistent Writing Habit
A novel is built brick by brick. A small, daily habit is your most powerful tool.
Set a Tiny, Achievable Goal: Aim for just 250 words a day, or 30 minutes of writing time. The act of showing up consistently is more important than the daily word count. This principle of building “atomic habits” is a key to success in any creative field.
4. Know Your Ending (Even if You’re a “Pantser”)
Even if you don’t have a detailed outline, having a general idea of where your story is going will provide a “north star” to write toward and can help you avoid getting lost in the middle.
5. Don’t Look Back
Resist the urge to constantly go back and reread and tweak the previous chapter. This is just your inner editor trying to sabotage your progress. Keep moving forward until you reach the end.
6. Use Placeholders
Stuck on a character’s name, a specific detail, or a piece of research? Don’t stop writing. Just type “TK” (a journalism term for “to come”) or “[INSERT DETAIL HERE]” and keep moving. The first draft is for momentum; the research can be done later.
7. Write the Fun Scenes First
If you’re feeling uninspired by the chapter you’re “supposed” to be writing, jump ahead and write the scene you’re most excited about—the big confrontation, the first kiss, the epic battle. You can stitch it all together later.
8. Don’t Worry About Word Count
Your first draft might be 20,000 words shorter than a finished novel. That’s okay. The first draft is the skeleton; you will add the muscle and skin during the revision process.
9. Find Your “Committed Action”
Tell a friend or a writing group that you are writing a first draft and give them a deadline. This external accountability can be a powerful motivator. This is a core part of what our novel writing services provide for authors who need that structure.
10. Reward Yourself
Writing a novel is hard work. Celebrate your milestones, finishing a chapter, hitting a word count goal, and especially, finishing the entire draft.
The first draft is the raw clay. Once it’s complete, the real sculpting can begin with our professional book editing services.
Short FAQ
Q: How long should a first draft take?
A: There is no set timeline. Some authors, like those participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), write a 50,000-word draft in 30 days. For others, it can take a year. The key is consistent forward progress.
Q: What if I get a better idea for the story halfway through?
A: Make a note of it, but try to continue writing toward your original ending. You can incorporate the new idea during the revision phase. Finishing the draft is more important than getting it “right” on the first try.
Q: What do I do immediately after I finish the first draft?
A: Celebrate! Then, put the manuscript away for at least 3-4 weeks. Do not look at it. This “rest period” is crucial for gaining the objective distance you’ll need to begin the revision process with fresh eyes.
