Getting past the first draft...

One of my biggest struggles when it comes to writing has always been the first draft. The main problem is I start a story and then halfway through I say, "Ugh. This is crap! I need to start something new. This isn't working." It's a terrible habit that I thought I'd be over by now, but alas it still haunts me. Just now I started something and not even five hundred words in, I said, "This is crap. This isn't going to work."

I need to stop that. Seriously.

The first draft is not supposed to be perfect. When you write the first draft, your only concern is telling the story. From beginning to end, just tell the fucking story. Who cares if it isn't working? How do you know for sure? If you're on the first draft, then of course it's going to look like utter crap. That's why it's a first draft.

First drafts aren't meant to be pretty and neat. You can be as sloppy as you want. Time-jump if you have to. Hell, do some head-hopping if that gets the story told. Switch to the POV of a frying pan. I don't care! You need to finish the story.

When you start the re-write and then realize that it isn't working, that's different. Then there is a very good chance that it isn't going to work. But that's something I shouldn't worry about until I get there.

So, I need to remind myself; when it comes to the first draft, just see it all the way through. Even if it isn't working. Just do my best to tell the story. When I'm done, then I can decide if it's worth re-writing or if I should just give up on it and try something new.

LESSONS IV nominated for an award!

I know, it's been a long time since I've blogged here. A lot has been going on in my life lately--all of them good! I usually hate Mondays, but today I really can't gripe about that. That's because I've just found out that Lessons IV: The Dead Carnival and Other Morbid Drabbles has been nominated for a BigAl's Books and Pals Readers' Choice Award in the short story/anthology category.

Holy... crap!

I really didn't expect this. It's a huge surprise and I'm flattered as hell. I'm not sure if I actually have a shot at winning, but it's just a thrill to be nominated.

If you've read Lessons IV and enjoyed it, please feel free to vote for me! You can vote here!

Please check out the other categories and see if there's a book by an author you've enjoyed! And vote!

And please, this is important: DO NOT FEEL OBLIGATED TO VOTE FOR ME JUST BECAUSE YOU KNOW ME. Only vote if you've read the book and enjoyed it. And if you haven't read the book, you can pick up a copy here (also available on BN.com and other sites). If you enjoyed the read, then by all means feel free to vote (but only if you enjoyed it and feel it's worthy of a vote)!

If you want to learn more about BigAl's Books and Pals, please visit their page!

That's all for now. I'll try not to be a stranger here. It's hard with all that's going on, but I'll do my best!

(Note: People who use IE as their web browser have experienced issues with trying to vote. If you can, try another browser and see if that helps. I've heard Chrome works fine.)