Writing your first draft can be a very daunting experience. It can feel like you need to get it perfect or your work is not good. Trust me; we’ve all been there. However, your first draft only needs to be that– a first draft. It is something to build and work on; no pressure is needed.

 

Before you start writing, your first question might be, “How do I write the first draft of a book?” To answer this question, I suggest creating SMART goals. 

 

Your next question might be, “What do I include in my first draft?” This post outlines everything you need to include in your book’s first draft for fiction and nonfiction.

 

Read on for more.

 

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What to include in a first draft: fiction

Fiction writers have plenty of freedom when it comes to their first draft. There is no limit to your imagination; you can write about whatever you choose.

 

However, a first draft always needs some key features to ensure you have the makings of a good story. So let’s check them out in more detail below.

 

In your first draft, you will need: 

 

• Setting 
• Characters 
• Story structure 
• Tone and theme 

Setting 

One of the most important parts of your story is the setting. The story’s setting is a great way to portray a theme, motif, or message you want to get across. The setting is just as important as your plot and characters in making reading your story an immersive experience for a reader. 

 

In your first draft, you should explore your setting and make sure its role in your story is clear. You need to ask yourself:

 

How does the setting move the story forward?

Do the characters relate and respond to their world? If so, how?

Does the setting influence the decisions and actions of the characters?

 

Characters 

Before you start the first draft, you likely have a vague idea of the characters who play important parts in your story. It’s important to develop your protagonist, antagonist, and side characters. 

 

All of these characters should be rich and fleshed out. Create profiles for your characters that outlines every part of their life. Flesh these characters out and make them into people readers will like, dislike, and be interested in. 

 

In your first draft, you have an excellent opportunity to explore each character, learning their strengths and weaknesses, how they make decisions and everything that makes them who they are. This will help you learn how to use them to make the plot move forward. 

 

Story Structure 

It is okay for your first draft to be rough, but it does need to illustrate your overall plot. It needs to have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Of course, that is not to say that you cannot change the plot in future edits. This is certainly possible, but your first draft still needs to work through the main plot as it stands clearly. 

 

One of the best parts of a first draft is that it gives the writer a clear vision of the plot and what works and doesn’t. You will find plot holes you may not have seen while creating the plot through the writing process. It’s okay if the plot naturally changes as you write your boo. 

 

Think of the first draft as a test drive for the overall story, and fully immerse yourself in creating that journey for the reader. 

 

Tone And Theme 

The tone of your work will take shape on its own as you write. You can try to set the tone you want initially and carry on with creative exploration until you stumble upon the tone that best fits your story. One of the most fun parts of writing is watching a story unfold before your eyes. 

 

What to include in a first draft: nonfiction 

Nonfiction works need to have clearly outlined points, messages, and facts. Let’s check out the details of what to include in your first draft of nonfiction below. 

 

Research 

A significant portion of the nonfiction writer’s work is research. Therefore, during the prewriting stage, gather as much research as possible before you try to write your first draft. 

Understanding your message 

Here, your first draft is about exploring what your message is and how you can best convey it. So, You don’t need to worry about writing it in chronological order; you can write whatever part of the book you want first. The most important thing here is to ensure all your points are written down and your message is coherent. 

 

Of course, you will still need an introduction, a conclusion, etc., but you can save these for last to focus on the main bulk of the work.

 

One of my favorite books on how to write nonfiction is Start Writing Your Book Today by  Morgan Gist Macdonald.

 

Bonus tips for writing your first draft 

Here are some more general tips for writing your first draft.

 

Don’t fear failure or struggle

A good book was not written in one night with a few swishes of a pen. This means that one draft will not be enough. You may need to write many before your book is finished. This is good because it means your work is refined and you are improving as a writer. Try to enjoy the journey of writing the book. Don’t only focus on the end goal. Don’t let the fear of failure or struggle stop you from enjoying the process. 

Ignore your inner critic

Your inner critic is an important voice, but not when writing your first draft. This part of the writing process is about being playful and creative exploration. So, let go of the inner critic and let your writing flow freely. 

Ask for feedback

Feedback from publishers and other writers, even for your first draft, is invaluable because they will be able to help you iron out non-urgent problems and provide insight into what they think the story or message is about, who the characters are, etc. This will be useful for other drafts. 

Final thoughts 

Your first draft can be a daunting idea, but I hope this article provides useful insight into what to include, what to let go of, and how fun it can be to start writing your book.