Maeve
asked
Rebecca Ross:
Hi Rebecca! First, I wanted to let you know how much I love your books, and that you have been a wonderful inspiration for me as an aspiring author. On your website you mention that you’re a fast drafter, and I was wondering: do you have any tips on how to draft fast? I’m currently drafting one of my WIPs, and though I love this part of the process I’m staring to feel discouraged with how long it’s taking. Thank you!
Rebecca Ross
Hi Maeve,
Thank you so much! So honored to hear that. And yes, I am a fast drafter (which also means revisions are quite difficult and extensive for me). But here are a few tips I have which I hope are helpful as you work on your story:
+ Have an outline in mind, or a "constellation map" as I like to think of it. The outline or map doesn't have to be extensive or extremely detailed (I honestly rarely outline in detail myself and prefer to discovery write), but I do think it helps to have the "stars" of the story already worked out, like a constellation, to guide you from point to point. These scenes are places where the plot twists happens, or revelations unfold, or the romantic beats take place, and you are so excited you honestly cannot wait to reach them to write them down and experience them. Having a constellation map to mentally work through is also a bit like dangling a carrot in front of a horse, and I often find it motivating enough to help me get through scenes that feel a bit murky or might feel daunting to write.
+ Also, having a constellation map might help you see if there are places you are missing in your plot/character motivations, etc. It can be hard to draft fast if you don't know these important pieces of the story, so sometimes just sitting down with a brainstorming journal and figuring things about before you proceed can be very helpful!
+ Set word count goals to hit daily (but only if they fuel you! If you find them discouraging, then definitely disregard them).
+ If you are tempted to constantly go back and edit what you just wrote the day before, then maybe see if you can write a few days without slowing yourself down in this way and see how it feels, and if you make faster progress. I always tell myself "you can edit afterwards, when you reach the end! The most important thing now is to simply get the story down on the page."
+ Set a deadline. I always give myself deadlines when I am drafting, and I typically give myself two solid months to complete a first draft (but please keep in mind that I write full time and this is still a very rigorous goal to hit!). I love working toward a finish date, but again, this is something that really puts the fire under me (and it may not work for you). But I do think having an end date in mind can be helpful and can also give you an idea of how often you need to work to meet it.
+ Realize that you'll have great writing days, where everything flows and you're excited and swept away and are in love with your idea. And then there may come more difficult days, where you don't feel like writing or suddenly hate your ideas and are flooded with worry. This is completely normal, and I always think it's best to remain positive, to give yourself daily affirmations, to remind yourself that you write because you love it, and things will come together, even if it feels like climbing a mountain.
+ Find what works best for you as as a writer and go with it! If you need music, if you need complete silence, if you need a snack close by, if you need to take breaks every hour, if you need to write every morning, if you need to write every other day due to school, work, etc. I think the key to getting a story drafted quickly, though, is to help minimize distractions and to devote as much time to the draft as you can.
Most of all, enjoy the process!
xR
Thank you so much! So honored to hear that. And yes, I am a fast drafter (which also means revisions are quite difficult and extensive for me). But here are a few tips I have which I hope are helpful as you work on your story:
+ Have an outline in mind, or a "constellation map" as I like to think of it. The outline or map doesn't have to be extensive or extremely detailed (I honestly rarely outline in detail myself and prefer to discovery write), but I do think it helps to have the "stars" of the story already worked out, like a constellation, to guide you from point to point. These scenes are places where the plot twists happens, or revelations unfold, or the romantic beats take place, and you are so excited you honestly cannot wait to reach them to write them down and experience them. Having a constellation map to mentally work through is also a bit like dangling a carrot in front of a horse, and I often find it motivating enough to help me get through scenes that feel a bit murky or might feel daunting to write.
+ Also, having a constellation map might help you see if there are places you are missing in your plot/character motivations, etc. It can be hard to draft fast if you don't know these important pieces of the story, so sometimes just sitting down with a brainstorming journal and figuring things about before you proceed can be very helpful!
+ Set word count goals to hit daily (but only if they fuel you! If you find them discouraging, then definitely disregard them).
+ If you are tempted to constantly go back and edit what you just wrote the day before, then maybe see if you can write a few days without slowing yourself down in this way and see how it feels, and if you make faster progress. I always tell myself "you can edit afterwards, when you reach the end! The most important thing now is to simply get the story down on the page."
+ Set a deadline. I always give myself deadlines when I am drafting, and I typically give myself two solid months to complete a first draft (but please keep in mind that I write full time and this is still a very rigorous goal to hit!). I love working toward a finish date, but again, this is something that really puts the fire under me (and it may not work for you). But I do think having an end date in mind can be helpful and can also give you an idea of how often you need to work to meet it.
+ Realize that you'll have great writing days, where everything flows and you're excited and swept away and are in love with your idea. And then there may come more difficult days, where you don't feel like writing or suddenly hate your ideas and are flooded with worry. This is completely normal, and I always think it's best to remain positive, to give yourself daily affirmations, to remind yourself that you write because you love it, and things will come together, even if it feels like climbing a mountain.
+ Find what works best for you as as a writer and go with it! If you need music, if you need complete silence, if you need a snack close by, if you need to take breaks every hour, if you need to write every morning, if you need to write every other day due to school, work, etc. I think the key to getting a story drafted quickly, though, is to help minimize distractions and to devote as much time to the draft as you can.
Most of all, enjoy the process!
xR
More Answered Questions
Gia Mae
asked
Rebecca Ross:
Hi Rebecca! I’m a huge fan from Puerto Rico and trying to make it as an author, you have been my inspiration! I really would like to ask you, how do you come up with the names for… basically everything? Did you make them up or do you do some research to see which type of names suit your character/realm? And second, what tips would you give new writers wishing to publish their work? Hope all is well <33
A_Reading_Obsession
asked
Rebecca Ross:
Hi Rebecca. I'm really looking forward to reading Divine Rivals; I've heard such great things about it! I have the ebook but I heard that the Fairyloot edition had a bonus chapter. I was just wondering if an edition would be released where there is an opportunity to read this chapter?
Kaela
asked
Rebecca Ross:
Hello Rebecca! I finished reading The Queen's Resistance and I absolutely adored it <3 It's a book I have been looking forward to reading ever since I devoured The Queen's Rising XD I loved the theme of family and adoption in your books! Of the new characters introduced in The Queen's Resistance, my favs were Ewan and Keela! What inspired you to create them?
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more