I’m fairly certain people think I’m kidding when I tell them how horrible my first drafts are.
Let me assure you, I’m not kidding. I’m not even exaggerating.
I put the sloppy into sloppy copy, if you know what I mean.
In fact, I’ve told my husband that should I die, he is to delete all the rough drafts from my computer, lest anyone read them and realize I’m a total hack.
My first attempt at writing a story–any story–is never pretty.
I think this is true for the majority of authors.
When I sit down to draft a novel, the goal is to get the story out. You can’t edit a blank page, after all.
Even though I know this in my head. Even though EVERY novel I’ve ever written has started this way, it always freaks me out when I dive into editing mode. The more I read, the more my soul wants to curl into a ball of dread. Because oh. my. word. It’s a hot mess.
This is where I find myself right now. Freaking out in editing mode.
Thankfully, I have a husband and a best friend who remind me that I get this way with every book. And thankfully, I have a God who goes by the name Jehovah Jireh – the Lord will Provide.
Being in this place, while not exactly fun, is an exercise in surrender and trust. It’s one more way this writing journey brings me to my knees. Because on my own, the only thing I’m capable of producing is drivel.
So I pray for God to guide my pen, breathe life into my characters, and show me the heartbeat of the story, then walk in obedience until the novel is ready to send to my editor.
Some of you might be wondering what that walk of obedience looks like, in practical terms. What happens during the editing process?
First, I print out the sloppy mess. I buy a new pen. And I read through the draft as quickly as possible. The goal? Ignore the clunky prose and focus on story cohesion. This is the round where I make big changes. Delete entire chapters. Get rid of entire characters. That sort of thing.
Second, I sit in front of my computer and read the book out loud, this time focusing on my favorite part of the writing process–prettifying the prose. This is my happy place.
Third, I transfer the manuscript to my Kindle and read it through once more, making final changes.
Once I’m done, I send it off to my editor and wait for her to read it so we can begin the editing process all over again.
By the time the book is ready to hit bookstores, it bares little resemblance to that first sloppy copy.
Don’t believe me?
Maybe someday (far, far into the future, when I’m brave and daring) I’ll post some snippets of a rough draft as proof.
Let’s Talk: Whatever you do–what part of your job scares you the most? What part is your favorite?
