Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming A Writer Part 2

Arabella K. Federico
31 Mar 202200:39

TLDRThe speaker shares a pivotal realization about the writing process: the pursuit of perfection during the initial draft can hinder completion. They emphasize that it's acceptable for a first draft to be imperfect, as the true refinement occurs during editing. This epiphany shifted their approach, allowing them to complete their story and enhance it through subsequent revisions.

Takeaways

  • 📝 The belief in perfecting every sentence during the first draft can hinder completion.
  • 🎯 The realization came that editing during the draft stage is not necessary for finishing it.
  • 🚫 Letting go of the need for perfection allows for the completion of the first draft.
  • 💪 It's acceptable for the first draft to not be perfect; the value lies in the editing process.
  • ✍️ Writing the story first and focusing on quality later is a more effective approach.
  • 📖 The editing process is where the story is refined and improved.
  • 🎼 The importance of the editing process is emphasized over the initial draft's quality.
  • 📈 The speaker's personal experience suggests that embracing imperfection leads to progress.
  • 📚 The first draft serves as a foundation to build upon through subsequent edits.
  • 🔄 The iterative nature of writing is highlighted, with editing being a crucial part of the process.
  • 🎉 Celebrating the completion of the first draft, regardless of its quality, is an important milestone.

Q & A

  • What was the speaker's initial belief about writing before they started writing their book?

    -The speaker initially believed that every sentence and piece of dialogue in their book had to be perfect.

  • How did the speaker's approach to writing change?

    -The speaker stopped focusing on making each sentence perfect while writing and instead focused on getting the first draft finished.

  • What was the speaker's realization about the editing process?

    -The speaker realized that the editing process is where the story can be improved and embellished, rather than trying to perfect it in the first draft.

  • What was the speaker's attitude towards the quality of the first draft?

    -The speaker acknowledges that it's more than okay for the first draft to not be perfect and that the value comes from the editing process.

  • What does the speaker suggest is the key to finishing the first draft?

    -The speaker suggests that letting go of the need for perfection and just writing the story is the key to finishing the first draft.

  • How does the speaker describe the transition from writing to editing?

    -The speaker describes it as a process where the story is initially written out and then refined and embellished during editing.

  • What is the importance of the editing process according to the speaker?

    -According to the speaker, the editing process is crucial for improving the story and making it 'get the goods', meaning it's where the story truly comes to life.

  • What advice would the speaker give to aspiring writers about their first draft?

    -The speaker would advise aspiring writers not to worry about making the first draft perfect and to focus on getting it written.

  • How does the speaker's experience with writing a book challenge common misconceptions about the writing process?

    -The speaker's experience challenges the misconception that every part of the writing process needs to be perfect from the start, emphasizing that imperfection in the first draft is normal and necessary.

  • What is the role of perseverance in the speaker's writing journey?

    -Perseverance played a role in the speaker's decision to continue writing despite the initial belief that everything had to be perfect, ultimately leading to the completion of the first draft.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Overcoming Perfectionism in Writing

The speaker discusses their past belief that every sentence and piece of dialogue in their book had to be perfect. They realized that this approach hindered their progress, as the first draft would never be completed. The key takeaway is that it's acceptable for the first draft to be imperfect; the true value lies in the editing process, where the story can be refined and embellished.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Perfection

Perfection refers to the state of being flawless or without any defects. In the context of the video, it relates to the speaker's initial belief that every sentence and piece of dialogue in their writing had to be perfect. The speaker later realizes that striving for perfection during the initial draft can hinder completion, as the true refinement comes during the editing process.

💡Editing

Editing is the process of revising and refining a piece of writing to improve its clarity, coherence, and overall quality. The video emphasizes that the editing process is where the writer can enhance their story, making it more engaging and polished. It's a crucial step that allows the writer to move beyond the initial draft and achieve a higher standard of work.

💡Draft

A draft is a preliminary version of a written work, often containing errors and imperfections. The speaker acknowledges that it's acceptable for the first draft to not be perfect, as the purpose of a draft is to capture the initial ideas and story flow. The draft serves as a foundation that can be improved upon through subsequent revisions.

💡Dialogue

Dialogue refers to the conversational exchanges between characters in a written work, such as a novel or a script. In the video, the speaker initially focused on making each piece of dialogue perfect, which slowed down the writing process. The realization that dialogue can be improved later through editing helped the speaker to progress with their writing.

💡Storytelling

Storytelling is the art of narrating a story in a way that engages and entertains the audience. The video's message is that the essence of storytelling lies in the ability to convey a compelling narrative, which can be enhanced during the editing process. The initial draft is a raw form of storytelling that requires refinement to achieve the desired impact.

💡Writing Process

The writing process encompasses the steps a writer takes from the initial idea to the final product. It includes brainstorming, drafting, revising, and editing. The video highlights the importance of understanding that the writing process is iterative and that perfection is not required in the early stages, allowing for a more fluid and less pressured approach to writing.

💡Embellish

To embellish means to add decorative elements or details to something to make it more attractive or interesting. In the context of writing, embellishing a story involves adding depth and richness to the narrative during the editing process. The video suggests that this is where the writer can truly bring their story to life, building upon the foundation laid by the initial draft.

💡Completion

Completion refers to the state of having finished a task or achieving a goal. The video emphasizes that the goal of completing the first draft is more important than striving for perfection at the outset. It's only through completing the draft that a writer can move on to the more satisfying stages of refining and enhancing their work.

💡Revision

Revision is the act of reviewing and making changes to a piece of writing to improve its quality. It is a critical part of the writing process that follows the initial draft. The video underscores that it's during revision that the writer can address imperfections and elevate the work to a higher standard, making it more engaging and polished.

💡Writing Beliefs

Writing beliefs are the personal convictions or assumptions a writer holds about the writing process and what it takes to create a successful piece of work. The speaker shares their转变 in beliefs, moving away from the need for perfection in the first draft to a more pragmatic approach that focuses on completion and subsequent improvement.

💡Creative Flow

Creative flow refers to a state of mind where a person is fully immersed in a creative activity, experiencing a sense of energized focus and enjoyment. The video suggests that by letting go of the need for perfection, a writer can achieve a more natural creative flow, which is essential for getting the initial draft down on paper.

Highlights

The belief that every sentence and piece of dialogue must be perfect before proceeding is a common misconception.

Perfection during the initial writing phase can hinder the completion of a first draft.

The realization that editing is crucial for finishing a draft, rather than striving for perfection in the first attempt.

Embracing imperfection in the first draft allows for the story to be written out fully.

The first draft doesn't have to be good; it's acceptable for it to 'suck'.

The true value of a story is found in the editing process.

Editing is the stage where the story is embellished and improved.

The importance of letting go of the need for perfection during the writing phase.

The transformative power of editing in enhancing the quality of the narrative.

The process of writing is not a one-time event but a continuous refinement through editing.

The initial draft serves as a foundation for the story, not the final product.

The mindset shift from perfectionism to a focus on the editing process.

The practical advice for aspiring writers to prioritize getting the story down over achieving initial perfection.

The encouragement for writers to write freely without the fear of imperfection.

The role of editing in transforming a rough draft into a polished piece of work.

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