Hello, aspiring fiction authors! If you’re struggling to finish your first draft, you’re not alone. Maybe you’re stuck on the plot, unsure of the ending, or grappling with how to transition between major scenes. This guide will break down the top reasons writers face these roadblocks and offer strategies to help you power through. Let's explore the main reasons and solutions for tackling your first draft with confidence.
1. Understanding Why You’re Struggling to Finish Your First Draft
When you’re struggling to finish your first draft, it often boils down to a few core issues. Maybe you’re unsure of what the story should look like, or you’re feeling blocked when trying to connect major plot events. If any of these challenges sound familiar, here are the three key issues that often prevent writers from completing their drafts:
Lack of clarity in visualizing scenes or events
Writing events without a guiding structure
Failing to use intentionality and specificity to evoke emotion
Each of these factors can create a roadblock that leaves you unsure of what comes next. But don’t worry; we’ll cover solutions to break through each of these obstacles.
2. Mistake #1: Not Being Intentional About How Scenes Look
The first reason you may struggle to finish is not being intentional enough about what your scenes look like. It’s not enough to have a vague idea of the plot; you need to picture the events in detail. Picture this: imagine describing a sunset. A vague description like "it’s blue and pink" doesn’t evoke much emotion, but a more vivid description — like how the sky fades from blue to purple to pink, with striated clouds reflecting the sun’s glow — creates an image in the reader's mind.
To overcome this, try tapping into your subconscious creativity. Spend time journaling or brainstorming to visualize each scene. What does each event look like? What does your protagonist feel in each moment? By defining these details, your story becomes easier to write and more compelling for readers.
3. Mistake #2: Writing Without a Story Structure
Another common pitfall is writing scenes without a cohesive structure or flow. Just as bakers need recipes to achieve the perfect result, writers need a structure to guide them. When scenes are thrown together without a sense of cause and effect, the story may feel disjointed.
Here’s a helpful analogy: consider how characters undergo a transformation in almost any story. This transformation is grounded in a predictable psychological sequence that people recognize subconsciously. If you organize your plot to reflect this transformational arc, it will automatically resonate with readers. Start by outlining the key steps your protagonist needs to go through. This isn’t about following a strict formula; it’s about creating a logical flow that guides your story from start to finish.
4. Mistake #3: Failing to Use Specificity and Emotion
Emotion is key to an engaging story, but many authors forget to integrate emotion on both a plot and sentence level. Instead of only including big, dramatic scenes, consider how each sentence can evoke a sense of emotion.
When you describe a scene, don’t just list what’s happening. Try to show the emotional undercurrent. For example, instead of writing "she was scared," show her fear through small, intentional details — like her hand shaking as she reaches for the door. This technique brings readers into the character’s experience, creating a more immersive, emotional journey that’s enjoyable to write and engaging to read.
5. Staying Motivated: The Benefits of Intentionality and Subconscious Creativity
The last step is finding ways to stay motivated throughout the draft. Often, writers feel blocked not because they lack ideas, but because they lack excitement for the scenes they’re writing. To keep the process enjoyable, try these tips:
Use a loose outline: Even a rough outline can guide you, so you never have to wonder what happens next.
Follow emotional cues: By focusing on the emotions in each scene, you’ll have a clearer path for writing, making the process much more satisfying.
Revisit your intentions: At the end of the day, your story should reflect the original vision that inspired you. Remember why you wanted to write this story, and stay true to that vision.
By integrating these principles into your writing process, you can make it easier and more enjoyable to finish your first draft.
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