It’s a universal truth among writers: the first draft is never perfect. Expecting it to be flawless from the outset is a surefire path to frustration. A first draft is where ideas begin to take shape—it’s a process of exploration rather than refinement. Recognising the importance of this initial, imperfect version is key to developing as a writer.
Why ‘Bad’ Drafts Matter
A first draft is the testing ground for your story’s core elements. At the start, you may have a rough idea of where you’re heading, but as you write, plots evolve, characters reveal new facets, and unforeseen themes emerge. Obsessing over perfection too early restricts your creativity.
By embracing imperfection, you open yourself to discovery. Writing freely without the burden of “getting it right” allows you to take risks and experiment with ideas that might otherwise remain untapped.
This exploratory phase can lead to unexpected insights. The act of simply putting words on the page—however raw—often results in revelations about your characters’ motivations or new, more compelling narrative twists. The freedom to experiment often produces the most authentic, engaging storytelling. Each new idea, no matter how unpolished, serves as a stepping stone to something greater, helping you uncover the true heart of your story.
Over time, these seemingly rough elements become the foundation for a narrative that feels unique, genuine, and alive.
The Downside of Perfectionism
Trying to perfect every sentence on the first go can be paralysing. Spending hours reworking a single paragraph, only to remove it later, wastes time and energy. The early stages of writing are not about achieving perfection; they’re about generating material. Over-revising at this stage disrupts your creative flow and can even derail the progress of your entire project.
Think of the first draft as a rough sketch. When an artist begins a drawing, they don’t obsess over every line immediately—they lay out the composition, build up forms, and refine details over time. Likewise, a writer’s initial draft is about capturing the essence of the story. Trying to polish too soon can sap the energy and momentum that comes from just getting the ideas down.
By focusing on perfection too early, you may also limit your willingness to explore unexpected paths. Perfectionism often leads to overcautious writing, where you avoid risks for fear of making a mistake.
Yet it’s often those risks that lead to the most memorable and impactful storytelling. The more you let go of the need to get it right on the first try, the more freedom you’ll have to discover new directions and fresh approaches.
Furthermore, perfectionism can cause you to lose sight of the bigger picture, as you may become so focused on polishing small details that the overall narrative structure and emotional resonance suffer.
Uncovering the Hidden Gems
When you give yourself the freedom to write imperfectly, you’ll often stumble upon unexpected moments of brilliance. Perhaps a line of dialogue pops off the page or a scene unfolds in a way you didn’t anticipate. These moments wouldn’t arise if you were too focused on perfection from the start. They emerge because you’re willing to take risks and let your imagination roam.
These gems might be character quirks, surprising plot developments, or unique imagery—elements that can transform a story from ordinary to extraordinary. By allowing yourself to write a “bad” draft, you create the space for these unplanned but valuable discoveries.
Additionally, the “bad” draft acts as a repository of ideas that you can revisit and refine, giving you a wealth of material to draw from as you shape your narrative. Every time you return to that draft, you’ll find new insights and angles that further enrich the story.
Strategies for Embracing Imperfection
Set Output Goals, Not Quality Goals: Focus on reaching a certain word count or completing a scene rather than crafting the perfect paragraph. Prioritising quantity over quality at this stage ensures you keep moving forward.
Accept That No One Else Will See This Version: Remember, your first draft is for you alone. Removing the pressure of an audience lets you experiment without fear of judgment.
Resist the Urge to Edit as You Go: Avoid constantly re-reading and revising what you’ve just written. This habit breaks the creative flow. Instead, keep pushing ahead.
Embrace the Messiness: Understand that sections will feel clunky or unclear. That’s perfectly normal and can be fixed later. The goal is to get the story out, not to make it perfect from the outset.
Focus on Completion: Completing a draft—no matter how rough—gives you something tangible to work with. A finished first draft, even if it’s riddled with imperfections, provides the foundation for meaningful revision.
Trust Your Instincts: Often, your gut feeling about a scene or a character’s motivation will lead you to write something that doesn’t immediately make sense. Go with it. Your instincts can reveal unexpected truths about your story, and even if the result is messy, it may hold the key to deeper layers of meaning.
The Editing Stage Comes Later
Once the draft is done, you can return to it with a fresh perspective. This is when you refine structure, enhance character arcs, and tighten prose. But these improvements are only possible because you allowed yourself to create that raw, unpolished version first.
In this editing phase, the so-called flaws of the initial draft become opportunities. Each messy section is a chance to sharpen ideas, enrich themes, and polish character dynamics. Without the imperfect first draft, there would be no material to refine, no chance to elevate the story to its full potential.
By viewing the first draft as a stepping stone rather than a finished product, you free yourself from the pressure of getting everything right at once. This mindset not only makes the writing process more enjoyable but also leads to more innovative and compelling narratives. Each draft you complete builds on the last, bringing you closer to a story that truly reflects your vision.
Over time, this approach fosters a sense of confidence, allowing you to take bigger risks and explore more ambitious ideas.
Final Thoughts
Embracing the “bad” draft is about giving yourself permission to be imperfect. This approach not only reduces the pressure but also makes the writing process more enjoyable.
By focusing on progress rather than perfection, you’ll find that your stories develop more naturally and authentically. Keep writing, let the first draft be what it needs to be, and trust that the refinement comes later.
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