As a fan of web novels, I won't write a novel, and I won't ignore " show, not tell " and continue writing when I'm writing the second draft.
However, in the process of writing, sometimes there are too many descriptions or adjectives, making it difficult for the readers to follow the story. At this time, the author could try to use more descriptions and details to enhance the performance instead of relying on adjectives or narrative language.
In the process of writing, one should always focus on telling the story and not just relying on presentation. By clearly expressing the core plot of the story, the reader could better understand the meaning and direction of the story.
Read a lot. By reading different genres and styles, they can learn new techniques and get inspiration. For example, if they read a thriller, they can see how the author builds suspense.
There are many differences between the first draft and the final draft of a novel.
1. The completeness of the story: The first draft is the story framework constructed by the author during the writing process. It may include many plots and scenes, but it is not necessarily complete. After completing the first draft, the author needed to trim and adjust the story to ensure its integrity and cohesiveness.
2. Quality of language expression: The first draft is usually the author's language construction in the writing process may not be smooth, precise, or beautiful enough. After completing the first draft, the author needed to go through many changes and refinements to improve the quality and accuracy of the language.
3. Character Creation Quality: The first draft usually only includes the story background, plot, and basic information about the characters. The character creation may not be deep or vivid enough. After completing the first draft, the author needed to further shape and describe the characters to make them more real, vivid and interesting.
4. The control of the rhythm of the story: During the writing process, the author may not be able to control the rhythm and changes of the story. After completing the first draft, the author needed to control the rhythm of the story more carefully to make the story more smooth and natural.
5. The influence of reader feedback: The first draft is usually written by the author without external interference, so the influence of reader feedback may be small. After completing the first draft, the author had to constantly accept feedback and criticism from readers, and make repeated modifications and refinements to meet the needs and expectations of readers to the greatest extent.
When writing a first draft short story, the most important thing is to start writing. Just let your ideas flow. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. A simple but effective element is dialogue. It can bring your characters to life. For instance, if two characters are arguing, the way they talk can show their personalities. Also, think about the conflict in the story. It could be internal, like a character's struggle with their own fears, or external, like a battle against a villain. This conflict drives the story forward.
The first draft is often more of a rough outline of the story. It might have plot holes, underdeveloped characters, and basic writing. The second draft, on the other hand, starts to refine things. Characters become more complex and believable. Plot holes are filled, and the overall writing quality improves. For example, in my first draft, I just got the basic story down, but in the second draft, I added details to the main character's backstory to make their actions more understandable.
To improve the first draft of a novel, start by revising the plot for clarity and coherence. Make sure the story arc makes sense and there are no loose ends. Also, check the character development. Are your characters believable and do they grow throughout the story? Another important aspect is the pacing. Avoid long, dull stretches and keep the action flowing at a good tempo.
First draft novels often have a raw and unpolished quality. They may contain plot holes, inconsistent characters, and rough writing. But they also hold the essence of the story idea in its purest form, with the author's initial creative energy still intact.