The Benefits of Outlining
by K.M. Weiland @ Wordplay draftstipsGenerally speaking, writers fall into two different categories: outliners and non-outliners (or, as my friend Linda has dubbed them, “seat-of-the-pantsters”). I’m an outliner. Mostly, I outline because I’m lazy. I hate rewriting; I hate watching my burst of pride and relief at the end of a novel dissipate in a realization of a hole-riddled plot. I’d much rather know where I’m going from the beginning, rather than trying to force my foreshadowing and plot twists into the text somewhere in my second draft. It’s much easier to spend a few weeks rewriting an outline than it is to spend a few months to a year rewriting an entire draft.
Writing well is rewriting
by Chesley @ Daily Freelance Writing Tips draftsrewritingIf you have written it once, you can write it again even better. I have heard that it is a good practice never to send an editor your first draft. When I write articles for the web, I like to take these steps:
How to Write an Excellent First Draft
by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen @ Quips and Tips draftseditorsfreelancingWriting an excellent first draft makes your revisions, editing, and rewriting much easier. This advice from published authors, full-time copywriters, and freelance writers will pave the way to an excellent first draft – even if you’re a professional published writer.
How to make your writing not suck
by Jeremy Day @ Tumblemoose advicedraftsI’m sorry. Really I am. Your writing sucks. Maybe you know it and don’t know what to do about it. Then again, maybe you haven’t even realized your writing sucks yet. Whatever the case, here is my short and sweet guide to making your writing better. Or maybe to just not suck so much!
Write, write, rewrite
by George Angus @ Tumblemoose draftseditingrewritingWhen I write something new, I always press the “publish” button too soon. It doesn’t matter what it is I’m writing. It could be a new blog post, a comment or maybe even an email. Here’s a doozy of an example:
Writing First Draft? Forget Looking Good. Make Messes
by Bill Henderson @ Write a Better Novel draftsfreewritingmethodsMost of my adult life I’ve used an original NordicTrack cross country ski machine. I love it, but I remember how ungainly and uncoordinated it made me feel on first try. It reminded me of learning to ride a bicycle; I practically fell off a couple of times until I got the knack.
There was a nice new “Pro” model at my health club, but I never saw anyone on it, even when the other machines were jammed with users. One day I asked one of the trainers why. “Because they don’t want to look bad.” He had a point. The membership was young, and trendy singles filled the place after five, strutting their stuff to the opposite gender.