FIRST DRAFTS ARE THE HARDEST

For me the Don’t Look Down draft is the hardest to write. Since I’m a panster the process of writing doesn’t make it any easier. When I open a word document I have no idea where I’m going. I have a character, I have dialogue, and maybe a situation they have to face, if I’m lucky.

Right now I’m writing what most would consider the bones of the story. Right now I’m trying to figure out the character’s motivation, her faults, her outlook on life, and most importantly how has her life gotten into such a sorry mess that she has to learn something. What is the something she has to learn?

This is the point when art imitates life. I stand by the cliche “everything happens for a reason” and the one that states “everything must get worst before they can get better.” For me it’s finding out “the worst” part of the equation that makes the first draft hard. What may be the worst case scenario for me isn’t going to be the worst case scenario for my character. I need to know her fears and what she thinks she wants so I can give her what she needs.

I’m not a psychiatrist. I barely understand how I tick. So picture me flailing around for 50,000 words until I have a light bulb moment. That’s how I write first drafts.

And it’s a wonder I have any novels completed.