Rough Drafting — Accepting Imperfection and Getting the Words out Without Giving Yourself a Headache

A New Page

Just over a month ago I began reconstructing this (all but abandoned) blog to encompass more of what is important to me. In that time, I’ve learned more about SEO, making Canva graphics*, Pinterest, and even started several drafts of what I think will be excellent posts to move forward with.

*No, I am not good at them yet, obviously.

The Setup

First, old posts needed tidying up, categories and tags changed and organized, alt text and description on photos, and on and on and on.

Seriously, if anyone can send me a link for easiest way to make a TOC that looks nice within a theme (without css), I’ll write you a limerick or something.

Then the new drafts needed graphics, resources, relevant links, better display, optimized images, the rainbow fart cloud of one unicorn, and a spare kidney.

Plot Twist

All of this was actually going well until a chain of events scrambled my head flaring nasty cognitive impairments.

For weeks now I’ve been on brain rest which has kept me from reading, social media, bright lights, and–the worst for writing–cognitive strain.

There’s no problem starting a post, assuming the screen isn’t too much or it’s possible to write eyes closed. The earth-bound asteroid here is stopping to think of perfect word or making editing decisions while writing; trying to stay on track when snagging a link and coming back to a paragraph. Is that the right header size? Is this even a good font color? Brain. Shuts. Down.

Here’s a simulation. Don’t even watch it. Looks like a migraine waiting to happen.

The Happy Ever After

While this is going on, I may not be publishing the way I’d like but I am learning to mute the production-halting editor while writing drafts. (How I seemed to have forgotten this after NaNoWriMo is beyond me.) Now I keep a notepad nearby for to dos and notes but try to reach a finish line even if there are parts missing or the end is skeletal.

“Add broth, slay dragon’s wicked master, rinse dishes, end.”

The interference of editing as you write wrecks flow, train of thought, motivation, and more. Do it later.

Tips to keep rolling:

You just have to get it down.

While writing through mistakes and without interruptions (of course our phones are off!) helps finish a draft, it also challenges the tendency toward perfectionism in writing.

SPOILER: poorly-timed scrutany doesn’t actually improve your work.

No matter what I’ve written, I’ll later find typos or edits to make. No brain injury required.

Writing is like sauerkraut–100x better fully fermented and half drained. Why worry about the brine while you’re still chopping cabbage?

***

More bright sides to this downtime: I’ve been working on new projects and spending more time with my imagination. The brain rest thing gets boring sometimes but, good grief, I’ve got ideas! Also enjoying the back-end dabbling and silly graphics.

Please bear with me while things are a mess. I’m tired of waiting for my brain to catch up to keep moving forward!

Tell me:

Are you a constant editor or are you comfortable with your pace and outcome?

What obstacles stand between you and publishing? Is perfectionism one of them?

What practices keep you flowing?

Wishing you all the best!

~Heather