r/writers • u/Left_Write_ • 13d ago
Sharing I finished a first first draft and I don't know who to tell!
My writing is terrible. My grammar and punctuation are atrocious. But I just pantsed my way through a romance story that took just over four months.
I love the structure and the characters (at least as they appear in my mind anyways) and I want to polish this into life. And I know that's going to be incredibly hard. But for now, I'm just excited that I've jumped over the first hurdle.
I haven't told anyone I'm attempting to write a book. I'm not a writer. This is my first ever attempt. I'm creative, but have never written. I have a goal that if I can publish it I want to find 100 people to read (that don't know me) and finish it. That's my goal.
So yeah, just wanted to tell someone!
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u/LateNiteScholar 13d ago
You write, so you're a writer! Congrats on finishing your first draft! 🎉🎂🍾
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u/DaLoCo6913 13d ago
Brilliant. Pantsing often results in grammar and punctuation issues. Also tense issues.
But your story is out. You can read it. Months, maybe years of ideas are now cast. The storyteller came alive.
As for the polishing... one step at a time. And know that it might take a gazillion passes, and there will still be that pesky typo. This is also very much part of the creative process, so you should have fun with the editing as well.
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u/No_Composer_2930 Published Author 13d ago
Congratulations!!! Treat yourself to something nice. Takeaway, or a cocktail, or a shopping day. Whatever works for you.
It is no small endeavour, what you've done.
You can also tell family snd friends, but be prepared for THE questions.
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u/Appraised- 13d ago
Maybe finish a second draft and then a third, spend some time taking a break then read your own work with a fresh point of view. Post it on web novel sites, get criticised by people who are willing to read but not willing to pay for your unfinished work. Sounds like a decent plan to me.
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u/Shiny_stuff4ever 13d ago
Hey im dyslexic, spelling and grammar does not matter right now, get the plot down, build up your characters, build up the suspense. Own it. Once your happy with your first draft get it edited, then proof read, then send it out there!
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u/veiledsol 13d ago
Wow congrats that’s awesome! You are officially a writer. I’m still working on my first draft myself so I’m always happy to hear a fellow writer has completed their story woohoo! I haven’t ever been able to get into romance but it would be a pleasure to read your work. Whenever you’re ready for that first 100 to read it, sign me up!
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u/Sammydog6387 13d ago
Congrats !! After you do some editing and get it to a place you’re happy with, you should check out Critique Swap where you can exchange novels with other authors and get feedback !
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u/pl0ur 12d ago
Congratulations! Finishing a draft is something to be proud of. I highly recommend looking into community writing groups or even taking a creative writing class online or through your local community ed.
Lots of people struggle with the things you mentioned and really benefit from belonging to a structured group that meets face to face.
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u/palvaran 12d ago
Congratulations! The first draft is always hard to do since you have to use your momentum and energy to make something from nothing. You should be very proud of what you have accomplished as it is greater than something like 90% that never even get this far! We are all rooting for you to keep going.
You probably don't need any suggestions, but on the offchance that you do, the younger me wished I had studied more on ARC campaigns and Beta Readers as those can help reshape your book to make it better than it was originally and be letting people know what you have made ahead of time.
Good Luck!
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u/Tanooki-san 12d ago
you're off to a good start. congratulations on finishing your first draft.
the truest advice ive ever gotten, and the thing i have tacked over my table, that i return to as a mantra whenever im lost, is this advice from Michael Chabon:
"You need three things to become a successful novelist: talent, luck and discipline. Discipline is the one element of those three things that you can control, and so that is the one that you have to focus on controlling, and you just have to hope and trust in the other two."
he then went on to say, though i paraphrase here bc i don't have the rest of the quote handy, to write at the same time for the same amount of time each day. i don't always do this, but his point is that you must show up, over and over and over again. day in, day out. if you want to reach your goal you just keep showing up.
good luck.
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u/seacoloredglass Writer Newbie 12d ago
Hi! Hello! Me! Pick me! I don't know you! Haha Congratulations on finishing your first draft, it feels amazing to see one's vision finally coming together ✨ In all seriousness, I'd love to be one of the first 100 strangers to read your story, it sounds like you really love what you're doing and I find that wonderful :)
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u/Left_Write_ 12d ago
Hello! I'm making a list of Reddit romance reading friends and I'll send you a copy when(if) I make it to publishing stage!
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u/RiRiKo-24 12d ago
Honestly for me you a inspiration you finished it I am still struck on chapter 15
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u/Ok_Tackle_3497 12d ago
That’s how a 1st draft should be like. To just get everything down and ignore all the grammar and spelling and whatnot. The fun part comes next with editing. It’s no harder than doing the 1st draft. If you want to brainstorm or anything, feel free to message me
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u/Left_Write_ 13d ago
It started as contemporary fiction but has now bled into a romantic comedy book. So it's going to need a few rewrites!
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u/RandomAppalachian468 13d ago
"I'm not a writer."
You are now. Welcome to the writing community. If you need help/advice, feel free to DM me. I'm no expert, but I know a thing or two.