Sunday, September 20, 2026

Craft of Writing II: First Draft


 

    For some writers they have a specific ingrained preference when starting out their manuscript.  Some prefer laptop with a writing program installed on a bright screen.  

    For a nostalgic person growing up in the 70s, and 80s, we had the spiral bound paper notebooks using pen or pencil.  In addition we had those clunky old typewriters with the option to use liquid white or eraser ribbon for mispelled words and more technicalities.  













The revisions were after the first draft churned out.  It's almost like the smell of a new car as you view it.    A writer is never finished until it looks just right.

   Planning the manuscript is the first step.  Over computer or a laptop I prefer a spiral bound notebook, an ink pen and a pencil.   It's there, the idea that grows with a child like giddy feeling to explore.




 I get the plot it first out either by web diagram then move on to bainstorming.    With pencil I prefer the outline by chapter method the most.  I can change things around and flip pages of the notebook a bit more efficiently.   Old fashioned methods still work because technology can be a little wonky.  Afterwards I then transfer it to laptop on my preferred writing program.   I prefer it propped up on a low easel to keep the strain off my neck instead of looking down.  

What is your preference?  Seems like mine is a bit more work but perhaps I had that ingrained while going through school that had not broken into all the newest technology to make things easier to be productive. 

And yet there is that storm or such a that knocks out power for a few days to a week. You still have the notebook and manual ability, if there is a generator hooked up to the house, great!  About that coffee and other things to keep in tact while the power company restores normalcy to productive people, writer, artist or such and resume course to of a perfected craft of writing the final draft.  Joy to finishing the first draft and the last one.







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