*kicks self*

[raefinlay]

I can't figure chapter 6 out. I'm not sure what should happen.

I should write it anyway.

This is a FIRST DRAFT. It does not have to be perfect. First drafts do not have to be perfect, first drafts do not have to be perfect, first drafts...

Comments

[ccfinlay.livejournal.com]

Wait a second... first drafts don't have to be perfect?!?!

*grumble* now somebody tells me */grumble*

[stillsostrange.livejournal.com]

Apparently second or third drafts don't need to be perfect either.

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

Heck, I don't think I've ever had a perfect final draft...

[navicat.livejournal.com]

Say it with me! "First drafts don't have to be perfect"

And again... :)

[pjthompson]

Sorry, Rae. First drafts have to be perfect each and every time. But only on the planet Numyermind. Here on Earth, there's a bit more slack.

[magicnoire.livejournal.com]

I hear ya.

[raecarson.livejournal.com]

I loff you. :-)

[barbarienne.livejournal.com]

I hate to be Captain Obvious but... why don't you just skip chapter 6 for now? Maybe what happens in chapters 7, 8, or 9 will tell you what should have happened in chapter 6.

I don't understand you folks who write first drafts in order. ;-)

[kaprou.livejournal.com]

That's a scary place to be! I have a deep-seated dislike of getting stuck like that; getting the momentum, then losing steam trying to figure out how to get through. That's why I eventually figured out the only way I'm happy and productive when writing is when I outline first, so I can sort out the HOW instead of the WHAT.

Plot puzzles are like leaves and branches. You can look at it from a distance and it is insurmountable, but as you slowly approach and duck into it, using the gaps you see at point-blank range, you move through what seemed impervious. I believe in you!

[raecarson.livejournal.com]

Funny you should say that. It only occured to me last night that I should just skip the dang thing. :-)

[raecarson.livejournal.com]

Thx Andrew!

:-)

[janeorben.livejournal.com]

I tried to write my new novel a couple months ago, and while Chapter 1 was inspired, Chapter 2 was DEFINATELY NOT. I posted it to OWW anyway, and it got ripped apart by reviewers.

Anyway, I finally got my second wind this last week at my retreat, and totally re-wrote Chapter 2. Now it rocks!

So, yes, first drafts do NOT have to be perfect. Just keep pushing, and you'll get rolling eventually.