First Drafts

I'm well into the first draft of the last book in my Warriors of Gaviron science fiction romance series. Like most first drafts I write, I think it's terrible. And this time I'm right.

It seems every sentence needs fixed. Every scene needs rewritten or deleted. Half of them don't move the story forward or add any layers of depth to my characters. My heroine come across as shallow and  not as the tough, smart person I meant her to be. Yes, lots of work to be done on this one.

"Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right or better."
John Updike

But even with that work looming over me, I've managed to read for a short while each day. Usually right before I go to bed at night, I read for at least 30 minutes, sometimes longer. Most writers agree that being a regular consumer of books makes you a better writer. So I'm actually reading to improve my craft and not for simple enjoyment or procrastination purposes. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

"Read in order to live."
Gustave Flaubert

One week from today is one of the most exciting days of the blogging year. The sign up list for this year's A to Z Blogging Challenge will open. It's never too early to think about your theme for this mega-networking opportunity and all the new blogging friends you'll make. Mark the date, January 26th, on your to-do list. Maybe we'll set a record for first day sign ups.

And to remember why so many have work off today, a quote.

"We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Don't forget to visit IWSG for a new post of encouragement.

So for me this week is hot tea, an hour workout every day and redoing that awful first draft.

Do you have the day off or are you self-employed like me and work on holidays? What things do you usually have to fix in a first draft? Thinking about A to Z yet? Did any of the quotes I used speak to you?