Tag Archives: drafting

Why Is It So Hard to Write Badly?

Posted on April 24, 2015 by J. Sevick

One of the most important tricks to actually start writing—perhaps the key to a finished first draft—is to learn how to write badly. This may seem counterintuitive; after all, isn’t the point of learning to write and wanting to write … Continue reading →

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The Growth Mentality

Posted on March 27, 2015 by J. Sevick

I finished another book!! I am so excited, most of all because this means the first one wasn’t a fluke. This is something I can actually do. I have written books. I know someone out there might be thinking: well, … Continue reading →

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In the Trenches: Tips for a First Draft

Posted on March 6, 2015 by J. Sevick

So I’m writing again, which is… awesome. Scary, always, but awesome. But, as always, it means I’m in my head too much, constantly analyzing and worrying and working to psych myself up. I won’t say that writing is more of … Continue reading →

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Choosing a Kind Target Audience

Posted on February 27, 2015 by J. Sevick

As I write, even a first draft, I am constantly thinking about two things: quality and reception. These are absolutely the WRONG things to be thinking about while drafting, for all sorts of reasons, but they happen beyond my control. … Continue reading →

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The Downsides of a First Draft

Posted on August 11, 2014 by J. Sevick

It’s practically ubiquitous writing advice to write a first draft, then wait, then go back and revise it to perfection. And it’s advice I’ve given here, and believe in, that you need to write a crappy first draft just to … Continue reading →

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Is It Ever Okay to Let Go?

Posted on July 23, 2014 by J. Sevick

Almost everything you hear from writing advice (my own included) is: just write. Don’t think. Don’t look back. Fight the doubt. Word vomit. Chained to the desk. Just stick with it. Don’t give up. And I would say, for the … Continue reading →

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The Three Types of Drafting Doubt–And How to Fight Them

Posted on July 20, 2014 by J. Sevick

It’s a little premature to say I’ve mastered my doubt. Unfortunately, one finished first draft does not a career make. But the mental transition I’ve made in the last month has at least given me the confidence that I can … Continue reading →

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Writing Through a Bad Scene

Posted on July 17, 2014 by J. Sevick

Despite all the omnipresent advice to just keep writing, no matter how bad, there is nothing quite as cringe-inducing as writing your way through a scene that just isn’t working. The dialogue isn’t flowing, the characters are boring cardboard, and … Continue reading →

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Reading as a Writer

Posted on July 16, 2014 by J. Sevick

Most (if not all) writers fall in love with the craft because they first fell in love with reading. And for any writer-to-be, I think reading often and widely is essential. It’s the most fun way to learn how to … Continue reading →

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Embrace Your Writing Tics

Posted on July 15, 2014 by J. Sevick

The biggest key to drafting is the ability to write badly, but that means a lot of different things. One of the most blatant and immediate things it means is that you have to embrace your own writing tics—those little … Continue reading →

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