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Martha Alderson

Plot Consultant

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Challenges of Writing a Rough Draft

February 23, 2015 By Martha Alderson

Ready to embark on writing a new novel, memoir, screenplay? One of the greatest challenges of writing a rough draft is longing to give into the insatiable desire to go back over what you’ve written and perfect as you write.

Some of the Challenges of Writing a Rough Draft 

1) As you write forward, you find all sorts of characters and details and actions you missed earlier. Rather than forge on, you’re tempted to go back and added what’s missing.
2) You become more and more uncomfortable as the conflict and tension builds. Rather than forge on, you find yourself continually wishing to scurry back to the safety of the beginning. 
3) As you write forward, you become entangled in plot threads. Rather than forge on, you long to go back over what you’ve already written in hopes of untangling yourself
5) The deeper you move into the heart of the story, the more out of control you feel. You resist moving forward.

The Great Unknown

Writing forward into the great unknown is challenging. Imagine yourself as the protagonist as she pushes forward even knowing the challenges that await her. She is going after her goal, dream, desire, just as you are going after your goal of writing the rough draft of a novel, memoir, screenplay with a plot from beginning to end. Remind yourself why you’re writing a story in the first place. 

Magic, Mystery, Miracles Await

Being in control may feel safer and better. Being out of control is where the magic, mystery and miracles await. Be brave. Keep writing forward. You don’t know what you have until you reach the end — your triumph.

Help is Here!

If you like writing prompts and affirmations, follow the plot prompts as you write a rough draft of your story with a plot from beginning to end: The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts

If you’d like weekly plot prompts as you forge ahead with the rough draft of your story, follow the step-by-step support in the online video course: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? 

Previous Post: « Transformational Inspiration
Next Post: What is the Definition of Plot? »

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Martha lives at the beach along the central coast of California and draws inspiration from the surrounding nature. When not at the beach, she writes women’s fiction and is exploring what it means to leave a lasting legacy. [Read More] about About Martha

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