First Draft - From the Start
Writing for Life, Change and Heart
On Writing Fiction
I have wanted to be a fiction author for as long as I can remember. Throughout my life there has been no question about this. All my other published works were undertaken with a promise that “someday” I would write the stories I’d been dreaming about since childhood.
First Draft is an ongoing pit stop where I get to share what I’ve learned over a lifetime of studying writing for the purpose of writing life-changing stories.
Bookmark this page for quick access to everything First Draft.
First Draft, the Best Place to Start
Rule #1 - First drafts are always both worse than you wish and better than you think. Rule #2 - You have a hero. He has the most at stake. He wants it to work out. Rule #3 - Some One or some Thing(s) want to stop him. Thumb Rule #0 - Even though, “they won’t succeed,” is a pretty good Rule #4, Too Many Rules Stop You From Writing Your Story is more importa…
First Draft - Writers’ Workshop Step 1
Play along at home with the First Draft Writers’ Workshops. Step 1 - In the Beginning 1. List your top three, all-time A. plot lines B. heroes C. villains D. scenes (use anything: movies, books, histories)
First Draft, In Second Place
This is a re-post of a piece originally shared via MadPxM.com before we made our final pivot to “News Narrative” Christian Filter for the post-2020 Lutheran Age. This is the second of three installments setting up a longer irregular run at building up all y’all as a true and brilliant writers’
First Draft - Writers’ Workshop Step 2
Ramp up the risk’o’meter and discover change, complexity and contradiction at work for you as you play along at home with the First Draft Writers’ Workshops: Step 2 - Master the Muse You’ve decided who your hero is. You see your villain in living color. Now, your hero, your villain and your muse walk into a bar, or perhaps out onto a veranda overlooking …
First Draft, Third and Finally, to Start
Welcome to the third of three in my opening installment of First Draft, a pit stop where I share what I’ve know about writing great stories. You can find more about fiction and fiction writing at First Draft - From the Start. Here we go: Plot 101: Hold Onto Your Arches!
First Draft - Writer's Workshop Step 3
Welcome to the final opening First Draft Writers’ Workshop. Find all the rest at First Draft - From the Start. Here we go: Editing is hunting for gems. Last time, during Step 2, you wrote a story in which you got to meet your Hero, your Villain and your Muse.