A diary entry: loving the first draft and how to write a second novel

A first draft is a wonderful gift to a writer. It is such a pure and imperfect form that it's truly exhilarating. If the writer can overcome the need to self-censor or edit and let the flow rush, it is the closest thing to capturing the truth, or at least a deeply personal, flawed truth. And that makes it so fun.

Writing without the need for perfection is like walking without the need to be anywhere. The mind wanders and picks up little bits here and there, as if existence itself is enough.

The longer I write and the more I practice, the more I realize that consistency, even first draft imperfect consistency, is the only thing that matters to get better at writing. I am writing a second novel and this is how I will be writing a minimum of 1,000 words a day.

1. Wake up, make coffee and breakfast

2. Water the plants and breathe

3. Find a quiet space

4. Write 250 words, take a five minute break, repeat

5. Exercise and get to work

If I do this every day, in a couple months I'll have a wonky, albeit fixable first draft.