03. The Surrendered First Draft Is the Key to Your Authentic Writing Voice
Your first drafts are NOT shitty!
That book on your nightstand.
The blog post you just finished reading with your coffee.
The great social post.
All those words have one thing in common.
Every word you’ve read from any writer started as a Surrendered First Draft (SFD).
In this third episode of How Women Write, I explore the concept of surrendered writing and how it’s your best friend and the path to help you create your authentic writing voice.
I've realized the importance of avoiding labeling initial drafts with negative words — just think about what this does to your brain! Instead, I encourage you to see your first drafts of anything — blogs, book chapters, website copy—as a natural, integral part of your creative writing process.
Can’t publish a thing because you’re a self-proclaimed perfectionist?
It’s time to drop these old ideas and experiment with drafting your writing as quickly as possible without overthinking.
Here’s what you’ll learn in this week’s episode:
Why I’ll never refer to the first draft of anything as anything other than that — a draft
How to establish a writing practice that feels natural and effortless
The difference between authentic writing and contrived writing and how to know you’re being authentic in your writing
Practical ways to align your writing process with your personal rhythms
Last, I share specific and practical tips to help you write fast drafts every day this week to help you uncover your own writing flow
Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction to How Women Write
01:58 The Concept of First Drafts
02:53 Reframing the Shitty First Draft
04:17 The Process of Surrendered Writing
06:12 Overcoming Perfectionism in Writing
10:44 Practical Tips for Surrendered Drafts
25:34 Embracing Your Authentic Writing Voice
33:08 Writing Tips for Finding Flow With the Moon the Week of March 2
37:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
