I Spy with My Critical Eye: Learning Just How Capable You Are

Writing a first draft requires a unique set of skills. All month, we’re asking authors to look back on their past first drafts… and the lessons they’ve learned from them. Today, Carrie Mullins, NaNoWriMo participant , shares the most important lesson she learned from finishing a novel draft:

I’m new to coffee. I can indulge in its smell, appreciate its warmth, and doctor up a mean mug. I just can’t drink more than half of it. 

But I can finish a draft of a novel.

I just recently learned that I’m capable of this. Over the years my books have fizzled out—no bang, no memorial. But there was something different about this piece. 

I started clocking in, concentrating on the job I wanted. I’d think about my book endlessly with so much thrill that I easily picked writing over any other hobby. Eventually the first draft does end if you’re putting in the work, and you can keep focused long enough to see it. 

Once I reread it (a few months later), I had surprised myself. The characters felt like they lived beyond the story and their interactions were strong. Discovering this makes me want to continue writing.

Understandably, I had also made some mistakes. The plot was a simplistic string of events and there were glaring errors in how it connected. Rather than propel forward, it followed the characters casually as they moved through their setting. For editing this round, I marked scenes that need more vigor. What I learned for next time: begin by not taking it so easy on your characters.

I had an outline as well, which would have helped if I had used it to its full potential. Some authors prefer to discover the story as they go, but I like having a map to get started. Problem is I used the tool poorly; I didn’t outline strong enough to see problems in advance. What I learned? Outline better from the beginning, and analyze your outline for gaping flaws that you can fix before you fully create huge scenes that you’ll be sad to cut.

There are more books I want to write, and now I know how to handle them. When doubts come up, I’ll know I’ve done it once before. If it takes longer than I’d thought, I’ll grit my teeth and put in the time. If I’m afraid I can’t pull something off, well, that’s for the second draft. So my plan is to: 

complicate the plot, find gaps early, and never give up. 

Finishing a first draft can be tough, but everything comes down to this: I can either make excuses, or I can write a book. And I’m finally confident in my choice.

Carrie Mullins is a writer, gamer, East High Wildcat, and professional tree-hugger.  Aside from her environmental degree, she also knows how to eat a lot of pizza and be picky about her keyboards. She writes novels in her spare time alongside her boyfriend and her warrior cat. Her website is Deer Steps Writing.

Top photo by Flickr user theloushe.