The Golden Pencil: The Freelance Writer’s Resource

Let Your Rough Drafts Be Really Rough

by Anne Wayman on June 10th, 2008

I just came back from a two hour meeting with a client. We got a lot done and I’m now trying to get my notes worked into manuscript. The trouble is, and it isn’t really trouble, is that we didn’t talk in a nice, neat order.

Sure, we each had copy of the manuscript and we went through it page by page, but we didn’t totally stick to our agenda. Instead, we had a free-flowing exchange of ideas, including the start of a couple of new chapters and even a new book. So I’ve got notes in the manuscript, along the edges and on the backs of many pages.

Fortunately, I’m totally willing to let my draft manuscripts be really rough, which is fortunate, because that’s what’s happening to this one!

For example, chapter three needs a total rewrite, and I’ve started that. But when I was looking for some additional information in my notes, I realized it’s on the same page as the notes for a whole new chapter. So now the manuscript has a new chapter started, chapter four partially rewritten, and… well… it’s all over the map.

I’ll get it straighted out, I’m pretty good at that.

Some would suggest I could have done a better job labeling the notes as I took them - maybe. On the other hand, I know how the client and I were sparking off each other. My goal was simply to capture ideas without stopping or slowing the flow.

Thank the goddess for rough drafts!

Write well and often,

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POSTED IN: Freelance Writing Tips and Ideas