Ep. 03 — On Why the First Draft is Often Misunderstood

Hemingway called the first draft garbage. Others say it's the only draft that matters. Both are right, and neither is enough!In this episode of The Deliberate Pen, we examine the first draft as a stage in a process, not a test of talent or a declaration of standards. And we ask the question most writing advice skips: "what's a first draft actually for?"We cover:- Why conflicting advice about first drafts leaves writers more confused, not less- What a first draft actually is — and what it isn't- The spectrum between perfectionism and reckless speed, and where you might belong on it- What writing fifteen books taught me about approaching a draft honestly- How to read a completed draft before you touch it as a writerThe deliberate writer doesn't write perfectly. They write honestly. The Deliberate Pen; for writers who build with intention.