#FirstDraft 60 Day 13: A Draft-Writing Assignment #amwriting #nanoprep #nanowrimo
In addition to continuing to work on all of the character development projects from last two weeks, today we’re going to try our hands at actually doing some writing.
We’re almost halfway through the thirty days of prep work, so now is a great time to try your hand at practicing the type of writing we’re going to need to do starting November 1 in order to be able to get that first draft written.
Part 1: Draft Writing vs. Regular Writing
Assignment 1: Read this post to find out what I mean by “draft writing”: NaNo Prep: Draft Writing vs. Regular Writing
Go on—go read it now. I’ll wait . . .
Part 2: Writing Assignment
Assignment 2: Using the draft-writing technique explained in the above-linked post, write a short scene of approximately 500 words in which one of your viewpoint characters must face one of their greatest fears, whether it’s doing something physically (bungee jumping, going into water/swimming, etc.), mentally (public speaking, performing creatively under pressure, etc.), or emotionally (telling someone a secret, saying “I love you” without knowing the response, someone with social anxiety going to a party, etc.). Or at least write about them doing something that makes them uncomfortable or coming face-to-face with someone they really don’t like.
This is a writing exercise, which means there’s a 99% chance that what you write in this assignment won’t end up in your story. But it’s a great way not only to practice Draft Writing, but also to get inside your character’s head prior to actually starting to write your story.
For Discussion: How was it to use the draft writing technique? How many words did you end up with—and how long did it take you? What did you learn about your character? Did you add that new knowledge to your Story Bible?
Trackbacks
- #FirstDraft60 Day 14: Review & Catch-Up Day #amwriting #nanoprep #nanowrimo | KayeDacus.com
- #FirstDraft60 Day 38: Timer Tuesday! #1k1hr at 8:30PM US Central #amwriting #nanowrimo | KayeDacus.com
- #FirstDraft120 Day 45: Timer Tuesday! What Time is YOUR #1k1hr Today? #amwriting #nanowrimo | KayeDacus.com
- #FirstDraft120 Day 59: Timer Tuesday! #amwriting #nanowrimo | KayeDacus.com
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KayeDacus.com 
Fun!!! Will try to do this on the train ride home from work. Or maybe at lunch. 🙂
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Just finished this exercise. Makes me want to start writing!!! But I’m trusting the process and will keep planning. 🙂
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Do you think you ended up with something that will fit into your manuscript? Or is it more of a “deep background” scene that will end up on the cutting-room floor?
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I think the event, or something very similar, will end up in the story. Probably not in the exact scenario I wrote. But I really like where it was going. And it told me something new about my character I didn’t realize before.
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I’m pretty much caught up now after doing this assignment. I wrote 322 words in 30 minutes…probably would have been at least 100 more but went back and reworded a couple of spots for better flow (I really need to work on resisting that impulse! lol)…and then I had to stop because I had to go into town (15 minute drive) to pick my daughter up from band practice. So I’m going to add to it but likely not tonight as I have Bible study tonight and need to get dinner ready asap! 🙂 Loved this assignment more than I thought I would (though it would be painful to do) and I too am excited to get really writing now! lol
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I wrote over 500 words in about 40 minutes. I don’t know if I’ll use the scene I wrote (it was dialogue – a fight between 2 characters) but I learned even more about their backstory (failed romantic relationship).
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