“Write your first draft with your heart. Rewrite with your head.”
― Mike Rich
And this is it. This is the secret juice. There is a lot of follow up you can read below. But if you are in a hurry, the above quote would be enough.
Look, creating an endless supply of drafts might sound like a daunting task for some folks, but once you’ve been writing for years, you understand the method behind it, and it becomes second nature.
And I use the exact method you see in the above quote.
Keys Pointers for writing/drafting:
Capture Everything —
I treat every thought, observation, or conversation as potential content.
One Idea can take you to 10 Articles and 5 videos you know —
A single idea can lead to multiple pieces. For example, your one single blog post can be repurposed into multiple medium write-ups, social media updates, videos, or even a series.
Silence your Inner Critic —
The goal isn’t to write something perfect, but to start writing. I remind myself: no one will see this draft but me.
Keys Pointers for editing/rewriting your drafts:
Assess the Idea:
What were you trying to say? Pinpoint the main message and remove anything that doesn’t support the same.
Give it the ‘Structure’:
Reorganize paragraphs, add transitions, and ensure the flow is smooth. So, if your crush reads it, she says, “What a beauty, babe!” ;)
Set a Timer:
Dedicate short bursts of time to editing. Whether it’s 30 minutes or an hour, focus on grammar, structure, or even coherence. Because from my experience, this time is the actual time that builds your drafts to write-ups. And take two to three rounds, it’s alright.
Or, in the words of my imaginary girlfriend,
Start writing — messy, unpolished, and raw. Then, return to it with intention and care.