You’re at the computer. Your favorite word-processor is open, you might have a browser pointed to your blog admin, ready to create a new post. Fingers in position, you begin to type your next masterpiece. Look, you’ve already finished a paragraph!

But wait. Now you notice a missing comma. That word’s not right; should you check the thesaurus? And that sentence doesn’t flow very well. It this even any good? Maybe you should start over.

Looks like you’ve officially hit the wall.

It’s easy for writers to get caught up in all the little details when they’re first starting a new project, and for the same reason it’s difficult for many to begin.

The key to avoiding this tragedy is to write with speed.

If you don’t give yourself time to worry, to think about all the little mistakes, they cannot stop you. Writing quickly allows you to let go of those worries and second-guesses, get your ideas down, and leave yourself a natural, genuine piece of writing that can be edited and revised at your leisure.

Still, it can be difficult to just let yourself go.

Faster than a speeding bullet(point)

There is a series of events that goes into every writing project, regardless its magnitude:

Rough draft –> Revision –> Final Product

Now, there will be many revisions. Several revisions. Hundreds, if you’re so inclined. They exist to polish your work, edit mistakes, and prepare it for the masses.

But the rough draft, that’s something special.

The rough draft, the very first draft of your writing, is an opportunity to let your creativity free and your mind wander. It isn’t about being perfect — it’s about putting ideas onto something tangible, something you can mold later.

When you are beginning work on your first draft, consider the following:

• Know your topic before you begin

• Do not edit while you write

• Do not worry

• Set a quick deadline (so you don’t have time to worry)

The rough draft shouldn’t be spent thinking about spelling, grammar, sentence structure, small details and especially not research (which you should do before and after); it should be spent writing.

Writing with speed will not only remove the stress from the first draft, it will improve your overall productivity.

More resources:

• SparkNotes (yes, the people who help you not read!): Writing the Rough Draft

• Online Writing Lab: The First Draft