Writing the Zero Draft

Let’s face, too often our first draft, with some cosmetic changes, is our last.  There can be many reasons for this, but typically time in short supply is cited.  Unfortunately, our first thoughts about complex matters tend to be less rich, informed, or supportable than those we come to over time and inquiry.  Writing more than one draft of a paper with time in between to re-visit and re-see our object of inquiry allows us to gain the rewards of true revision.  In this process, we want not only to improve the quality of the writing in our final product, but also the depth and quality of our thinking. 

One way to make writing the first draft less painful is to think of it as not even a draft yet.  Call it a “zero draft,” the one before you write the real first draft.  Given that, keep the following in mind:

• Writing down your thoughts in prose makes you try to order your thoughts.  Ideas, connections, and patterns emerge in the act of trying to write about them.

 • It does not matter what you say or how you say it at this point.  You are just trying to get thoughts out in the open where you can work with them. 

 • This draft may bear no resemblance to the final version, but it is the first step in what the final draft can become.

 • Sometimes it is easier to give shape and order to random writing than it is to force ideas into orderly prose. 

 • Don’t worry about putting in your sources; just write what you remember from them.

 • If you get stuck, write “I’m stuck here” and go on.  If you know what you need to do but can’t, describe it.  Remember, this is not a “real” draft, so it doesn’t have to be complete or even linear.

 •  Don’t get married to this, or any draft.  Don’t even get a crush on it.  Be prepared to be very critical of it and to change it (or even throw it out and start over if need be).

 • Turn off the little voice in your head that wants to correct grammar, question and doubt, or judge your writing in any way.  Just write.

  • To ensure that you get the most out of the zero draft experience, write for at least an hour, steadily.