5 Things to Do After You've Finished a Draft
So you’ve finished a draft of your…novel, business book, etc. Now what? There’s a strong tendency to want to go back and begin revising and working on it all over again. It’s natural to feel that pull.
Let’s look at some options that will help you come back to your draft inspired and ready for your next steps.
1. You’re going to be kind to yourself. There’s a strong temptation to look back after finishing a draft and think it’s crap. You’re not going to be mean to yourself. Everyone makes bad art. This is a part of the process.
2. You’re going to remind yourself that you’re showing up for writing and art. Be proud of that. Completing a draft, even an unpolished first draft, is a step most writers never get to, believe it or not. It’s hard to finish. Be proud of your efforts to get this draft completed. If you want to take it a step further: celebrate. Maybe it’s ice cream or a glass of wine, whatever your victory lap looks like, take one.
3. You’re going to give yourself time away from the draft. That’s right, walk away. What your draft needs most right now is you not working on it. That means no tinkering or light edits. Here’s a sneaky suggestion: Always have two creative projects going at once. This really helps combat “writer’s block.” It also is a great way to transition between drafts. When you finish one, you take a break from it by working on another. Even if it’s not writing, having something to do after you finish a draft will help you give that project a break.
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“Here’s a sneaky suggestion: Always have two creative projects going at once. This really helps combat “writer’s block.”
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4. You’re going to revise with curiosity. Okay, okay. You can’t stay away forever. Once you’ve given your draft some time, it’s time to revise it. Revising with curiosity is a great way to approach the draft from a different angle, one that might shed new light on things. Be curious. Ask questions. See where it takes the revising.
5. You’re going to seek other opinions. You are not going to be the best judge of an early draft. Having a community to help support you in the early writing process is crucial. Swap drafts with a friend or a colleague. Writers are always in need of help. Harvesting opinions about your current draft will give you a roadmap as you begin revising it.
Never take finishing a draft lightly. It’s a big deal! These five ideas will help you with what to do next. Focus on being intentional with the steps you take when you’re done. They can make all the difference with your writing going forward.
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