by  Heidi Main, @HeidiMain

On December 13^th, I blogged part one of this post here. Part one mainly talked about what elements you needed to nail down before writing a first draft that you’d be able to use and build from. Once you’ve completed those tasks, it is time to:

• Make a list of what you are going to write. Lists help you break down “write a novel” into bite-sized pieces. Mine is simple, I have two scenes in every chapter and fifteen chapters. My list looks like:
  • Map out 1/1
  • Map out 1/2
  • Map out 2/1
  • Map out 2/2
  • Write 1/1
  • Write 1/2
  • Write 2/1
  • Write 2/2
  • And so on for fifteen chapters
• For every scene, I like to map out, or outline, what is going to happen, even if it is only a phrase or sentence. I don’t linger in this phase. If I don’t know the answers and I don’t feel inspired, I move on. But this would be where I’d have a disaster and what it will be. Also, look at those sticky notes, because they could inspire you! Finally, don’t stop to choose the right word. Don’t stop to research anything. Make a notation of those things and keep moving forward.
• My finished scenes are 1700 words, so my goal in this draft is to have 500-700 words in the scene. 
• If you know what is happening but you don’t want to write it out, then bracket it. For example, if I am writing a scene and I just don’t know how to start, then I will write:
  • [set scene]
  • [heroine is brushing a horse in the upper barn]
  • [have the hero enter and say something or the heroine hears him step over the threshold]
  • Then I’d start writing the dialog that is happening in my head and keep moving forward.

• If I know there needs to be emotion or a dialogue tag or some type of movement, I’ll throw that inline with the text, but I’ll bracket it. Anything I bracket is something I complete in the next editing phase.
• Also, I use Scrivener so every chapter is a folder, every scene is a text file. It allows me to move from scene to scene without “seeing” what I previously wrote, so I won’t be tempted to edit.
• DO NOT edit, your goal is to keep moving forward. If you don’t need to read what you wrote (for context) then don’t! There will be time to edit later on. The goal of this draft is to get it down as quick as possible. 

What does a fast-draft day look like?

• It all depends on you and your time availability, but consider setting some type of goal (write two chapters every day or a certain number of words), so that you can see progress and you can reward yourself (maybe once you complete your goal, you get to watch some TV or surf social media).
• Sprinting. Consider joining the Novel Academy community and write your fast-draft while you sprint. Or find a writer friend or two who will sprint with you.
• Work head down, butt in chair, for a certain amount of time.
• Work head down, butt in chair, until you’ve written a certain number of words.
• Whatever works for you!

Remember, a fast-draft does not need to be ugly. If you know your characters and story and what happens in each scene, then what you write is absolutely usable and editable! The goal here is to have a solid story that simply needs filling in and expanding and then you’ll add layers to make the characters deeper.

I hope these concepts will help you get your first draft down quicker so that you can produce more quickly!

---

A Nanny for the Rancher’s Twins

Returning to small-town Texas was her fresh start.

She never expected a ready-made family.

What could be better than running a rustic wedding venue? Event planner Laney Taylor has it all laid out…except for the serious renovations her inherited property needs. Rancher Ethan McCaw will help—but only if she’ll nanny his toddler twins. Laney’s all about planning weddings for others and shielding her own heart, but Ethan, Zoe and Tori might be just the ones to change her mind…

Heidi Main writes sweet inspirational romance novels set in small towns. She lives in the central North Carolina’s suburbs, but dreams of acreage and horseback riding, which is why her novels include wide-open ranches and horses. Before starting her writing career, Heidi worked with computers and taught Jazzercise. She loves to take walks, garden, play board games, curl up with a good book, and watch HGTV. A perfect Saturday is lounging on the deck with her husband and watching the many birds in their backyard. Learn more about her books at www.heidimain.com.