First Draft - From the Start

Writing for Life, Change and Heart

Jonathan McAdam Fisk

Nov 15, 2023

On Writing Fiction

The Mad Christian

November 29, 2023

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.

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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

The Mad Christian

November 15, 2023

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…

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First Draft - Writers’ Workshop Step 1

November 15, 2023

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)

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First Draft, In Second Place

The Mad Christian

December 5, 2023

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’

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First Draft - Writers’ Workshop Step 2

December 5, 2023

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 …

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First Draft, Third and Finally, to Start

The Mad Christian

December 12, 2023

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!

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First Draft - Writer's Workshop Step 3

December 12, 2023

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.

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RevFisk.com

On Writing Fiction

First Draft, the Best Place to Start

First Draft - Writers’ Workshop Step 1

First Draft, In Second Place

First Draft - Writers’ Workshop Step 2

First Draft, Third and Finally, to Start

First Draft - Writer's Workshop Step 3

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