Who doesn’t love to totally hit the mark on their first try?
We love when we can really nail a task or a project on the first try. It validates our ego and makes our work more efficient. Basically, we feel good about ourselves for a bit, and we turn our attention to the next thing. This was how I largely operated in my prior career ventures.
But the book world is a whole different ball game. One does not simply sit down to write a book and nail it on the first try. This is true in any circumstance…whether you do it in solitude, whether you hire a ghostwriter, or whether you hire a coach.
A book is long. It’s got a lot of content, it requires a specific tone appropriate for the author, and it has moving parts as new sparks of inspiration pop up throughout the process. Not to mention, there are also editorial adjustments and stylistic preferences. Striving to attain perfection on the first draft of a book isn’t realistic.
As I’ve now immersed myself in writing books, I’ve been tested. I’ve needed to level up my mindset and hit new levels of expansiveness. Throughout the journey, I’m actually coming to appreciate the messiness of a first draft. While I’m talking about books, the benefits I’m about to dive into are applicable to so many facets of life.
Flexibility
Trying to attain perfection on the first draft severely reduces flexibility throughout the process. If you’re worried about trying to get a flawless first draft, then you’re not likely to adjust the outline or take chances on certain stories or teachings to see how they fit.
As we write books, we gain clarity on our thoughts and approach to the topic at hand. Frequently, we also have new sparks of inspiration as we allow the creativity to flow. This is particularly true if you’re working with a ghostwriter or coach who you are filtering your stories and teachings through and who can ask follow-up questions.
When we have the comfort of knowing we’ll edit and adjust the first draft, we are more willing to step outside of our comfort zones and really dig deep into what will best serve our readers.
Higher Quality
The magic starts to happen in the second draft. The content becomes more clear. The ideas can be better organized, and the flow becomes smoother. As you read through the second draft, you can make sure you’ve clearly accomplished your intention and theme in a tone that is true to you.
The first draft is kind of like laying out all the pieces of wood to build a house. The second draft is when they all get assembled into a beautiful home. Any further drafts and editing processes are when the coats of paint, lighting fixtures, etc. get thrown on.
Furthermore, allowing ourselves to let go of perfection on the first draft allows us to be more vulnerable. When we know we can always remove or edit later, we pour more of our authentic selves into the first draft. Readers crave authenticity in the books that they read. That’s how they connect to you as an author and what you’re teaching.
Allowing ourselves to not expect perfection in the first draft ultimately leads to a higher quality output.
Creativity and Sanity
Let’s be honest, writing a book is a long process that we pour our hearts and souls into. We want to maintain our sanity throughout the process. By striving for perfection in the first draft, we’ll drive ourselves crazy because 1) it’s not realistic in that size project and 2) what really is perfection in a creative endeavor?
Trying to be flawless stifles creativity and also removes the joy and fun from the process, which nobody wants! In fact, this is so important that joy is one of my core values and integral to my brand. Writing a book is often a bucket list item, so why not be joyful throughout the process?
There are so many reasons to embrace the mess of the first draft! If you’ve been holding back from writing a book because you feel like you don’t have all your ideas perfectly landed and organized, let’s chat. I can help with that.
Disclaimer: This blog should not be construed as providing, or intending to provide professional financial, legal, psychological, or other professional advice. It is simply meant to share my experiences with those who may find them relatable and helpful.