035 The 10 Rules of Rough Drafts

Demian Farnworth on May 11, 2015

I am about to destroy the lie that suggests your first draft must be perfect. The illusion that great copy is born in a single moment of white hot inspiration.

One of the most famous white-hot inspiration ambush stories in American literary history involves Jack Kerouac, Beat Generation pioneer.

As the legend has it, Kerouac wrote “On the Road,” a 293-page novel, in three coffee-fueled weeks on one long, flowing scroll.

Now, that is true. He did do that. But it’s not the full truth.

In this 6-minute episode you’ll discover:

  • The truth behind Jack Kerouac’s legendary writing frenzy (and how you can capitalize on it)
  • A trick to keep the ideas flowing when you are scared
  • The crazy low expectation you can have with your first draft
  • What you must be doing for inspiration to actually work
  • A quote from Kurt Vonnegut to help you not feel you are the only one who struggles with getting your ideas out

The Show Notes

The 10 Rules of Rough Drafts

Voiceover: This is Rainmaker.FM, a digital marketing podcast network. It’s built on the Rainmaker Platform, which empowers you to build your own digital marketing and sales platform. Start your free 14-day trial at RainmakerPlatform.com.

Demian Farnworth: Howdy friend, this is Rough Draft, your daily dose of essential web writing advice. I am Demian Farnworth, the Chief Content Writer for Copyblogger Media.

And thank you for spending the next few minutes of your life with me.

Alright. So here we are. You are going to have to forgive me, for I am about to destroy your insecurities. Your excuses. The lie that suggests your first draft must be perfect. The illusion that great copy is born in a single moment of white hot inspiration.

The Truth Behind Jack Kerouac’s Legendary Writing Frenzy (and How You Can Capitalize On It

One of the most famous white-hot inspiration ambush stories in American literary history involves Jack Kerouac, Beat Generation pioneer. As the legend has it, Kerouac wrote “On the Road,” a 293-page novel, in three coffee-fueled weeks on one long, flowing scroll.

Now, that is true. He did do that. But it’s not the full truth.

See, Kerouac was a meticulous note taker. A chronic scribbler. He was always writing. In notebooks. And in his head.

In fact, as early as autumn 1948 Kerouac had completed the first draft of a road novel he called “Ray Smith” — three years prior to the birth of On the Road.

And he had outlines, drafts, and journals full of this “On the Road” idea. Kerouac just allowed the pressure of the story to build until he couldn’t contain it anymore.

And then it just flowed. Like water.

But let’s not forget: he also revised that draft many times after that.

The Crazy Low Expectation You Can Have with Your First Draft

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not here to destroy the notion of inspiration. Like Picasso, I believe inspiration exists. It’s just better find us working.

Yet, the idea of writing a first drafts scares people. It scares us into a state of inactivity. It menaces me. Even the greats like Kurt Vonnegut. Kurt said, “When I write, I feel like an armless, legless man with a crayon in his mouth.”

Did you catch that?

So when a writer of his caliber makes a statement like that … do you think you will be any different?

You won’t.

You’ll make your copy adequate in the first rewrite. Good in the second. Great in the third and the fourth. More likely in the fifth and sixth. And beyond.

But not today. Today is the day to write like a lunatic … or an invalid with a crayon crushed between your teeth. Just like our heroes.

What You Must Be Doing for Inspiration to Actually Work

And the best way to do that is to follow a few simple rules. Ten, rules in fact …

  1. Barricade the door. It must be just you, the ink, and the paper.
  2. Work in a physical and mental condition that makes you want to write. Get there by all means possible. Coffee or Coca-cola, exercise, or weird rituals. Just get there.
  3. Write yourself silly.
  4. Allow your imagination to go to strange places. Nothing is off limits. You can clean up your mess later.
  5. Break every writing rule known to man.
  6. It’s okay if your first draft reads like a letter from a lunatic.
  7. Steal stylistically from other writers, as all great writers do (see episode 16 if you want more information on this concept)
  8. Keep your bottom in your chair until you are done.
  9. Once finished with your first draft, leave it alone for days — if not weeks.
  10. Celebrate.

Go for a long walk. Hang out with friends. Watch a movie. Down a tall glass of lemonade. Jump the fence and slide into your neighbor’s pool.

Have fun. Celebrate. Because tomorrow you got your work cut out for you.

And, oh, by the way, if you want a small poster of these rules, check out the show notes.

Until next time. Take care.