Drafting a novel is no easy task. A full draft, no matter how messy, is a huge accomplishment. That’s why Full Draft is the first destination on Looseleaf’s Book Journey Map … and why you have to go through the Draft Marshes to get there.
Marshes (and Drafts) Are Messy
Sometimes you have an outline; sometimes you don’t; sometimes you had an outline that you abandoned somewhere along the way. Maybe you had a strong beginning or have an emotionally gripping ending in mind, but you’re bogged down in the middle. Or perhaps there’s a character in your ensemble that you know you need but you just can’t get working right.
That’s all okay—and totally normal. The Draft Marshes are a mess. You’ll get sidetracked by sticky bits. The twinkly will-o’-wisps of new ideas will distract you (or lead you to magic?). You’ll struggle to find the solid-path throughline of the book’s theme and plot. The important thing is to keep going.
Your first full draft is allowed to be a murky, meandering thing. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at traversing the marsh with more clarity, purpose, and direction.
Help Along the Way
Nobody can draft for you, but that doesn’t mean you have to travel the marshes alone. Find other writers to talk with (local folks or online friends!) and share your progress and goals with the best cheerleaders in your life. In part because the draft marshes are such a challenge, the camaraderie between fellow travelers is a beautiful thing.
Where to Next?
The next location on the Book Journey Map is the Range of Revision, where you get to clean off some of the marsh muck and take your story to new heights.
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