As writers, we have all experienced a common enemy: writer’s block, the paralyzing moment when we can’t find the right words or ideas, and the cursor taunts us by blinking on the empty page. There are various causes for writer’s block. Today, we’ll cover the deep-seated desire for our writing to be perfect immediately.

Some authors like to call the first draft of a story, article, or book a “garbage draft.” That’s my preferred term. Others like “vomit draft.” The purpose of the first draft is to get the story out, regardless of its quality, and those terms help writers keep this mind and to set aside the editor role until later.

Lately, I’ve wondered why we should limit ourselves in this way. I know, that doesn’t sound limiting. It sounds freeing! But I think one can fully embrace the disorder even more.

The Power of the Garbage Draft

What is a garbage draft? The idea is simple: the initial draft is crude, unrefined, and far from flawless. It involves allowing the narrative to flow freely onto the page without being limited by a desire for quality control. This change in perspective can be really liberating. This serves as a reminder that the initial draft does not need to be flawless; it simply needs to be present.

Despite using this technique, sometimes writer’s block pops up. I’ve been experiencing this to a degree lately. It’s not enough to stop my writing, but it has been enough to slow it down. So, I wondered, why not take an additional step?

Yes, I’m getting to it now!

Permission to Write Rough

What if, rather than passively acknowledging that the initial version may be of poor quality, we deliberately make our initial drafts as rough as possible? This may seem contrary to common sense, but think about it. By letting oneself write poorly, even intentionally writing poorly when we feel stuck, we can get more done. It is not merely acceptable for it to be of poor quality; we write it that way intentionally. Be bold and shut up that internal critic! You can invite them back when it’s time to revise.

Embracing the Chaos

Granting yourself permission to write badly, and even doing so intentionally, entails embracing the notion that your initial manuscript may be exceedingly unpolished. You might add scenes you’ll cut later, or discover in revisions that you need to add scenes to make sure the story makes sense. This method can be helpful when you have a sense of stagnation. Rather of worrying about finding the ideal word or creating a flawless scene, you may continue making progress, confident that the polishing process will occur at a later stage.

The Joy of Revisions

For many writers, including myself, the most enjoyable part of writing is revising the story. In this stage, you can refine and transform a rough and disorganized draft into a tight and polished narrative.

Your manuscript may need extensive revisions, but, if you’re like me, that’s where it gets really fun. I know, there are many people who enjoy writing that first draft the most, and many of them may want to create a clean initial draft. I’ve said it many times: every writer works differently, so do what works for you.

Still, for me, with each revision, I get to see the story improve: the pieces fit better together, the characters become more three dimensional, and the twists become more exciting. I get to ensure all parts of the story work together

Final Thoughts

I hope this helps other deal with yet another cause of writer’s blog. Just embrace that disordered garbage draft! Give yourself permission to not only write poorly at first, but, if you’re really stuck, write badly on purpose. You know you can later, you can make the prose sing.

“Artistry is important. Skill, hard work, rewriting, editing, and careful, careful craft: All of these are necessary. These are what separate the beginners from experienced artists.” ~ Sarah Kay

16

Dramatica Theory 

I learned about Dramatica in the late 1990s and used it to write two fantasy novels, Children of Rhatlan and Tamshi’s Imp. Though I now write steampunk westerns, aka weird westerns, I’m proud of those fantasy novels, and they’re available for anyone interested in them.

Also, while I don’t strictly use Dramatica any longer, many of the ideas have stuck with me and still affect my plotting and character development. Learning how Dramatica works is worthwhile for any author, so let’s go over the basics.

pARTS OF dRAMATICA

These concepts are central to how Dramatica works.

Four Throughlines

• Main Character Throughline: Focuses on the personal journey and growth of the protagonist.
  Impact Character Throughline: Explores the character who challenges the protagonist’s beliefs and drives their transformation.
• Subjective Story Throughline: Centers on the relationship and conflict between the Main Character and the Impact Character.
• Objective Story Throughline: Represents the broader, external conflict that affects all characters and drives the plot.

Story Mind

Dramatica views a story as a single mind trying to solve a problem. This concept helps writers explore different perspectives and conflicts within the narrative, ensuring a well-rounded and coherent story.

64 Story Points

Dramatica identifies 64 essential story points that need to be addressed for a complete narrative. These include elements like the Goal, Requirements, Consequences, and more. This exhaustive list ensures the author won’t miss any critical aspect of the story.

Character Archetypes

Dramatica defines eight primary character archetypes, such as the Protagonist, Antagonist, Sidekick, and Skeptic. These archetypes help writers understand and define character roles and their interactions within the story.

Plot Progression

The theory outlines a detailed plot progression model that guides writers through the development of their story. This model includes the Story Goal, Driver, and the Four Signposts that mark key stages of the narrative.

Using Dramatica in Plotting

Here’s the method Dramatica provides for plotting a story.

Creating a Storyform

The process begins with creating a Storyform, a unique blueprint for your story based on your narrative’s specific elements. This involves answering questions about your story’s theme, characters, and conflicts, which Dramatica then uses to generate a detailed structure.

Developing Throughlines

Writers develop the four throughlines, ensuring that each aspect of the story—personal, relational, and external—is thoroughly explored and interconnected. This helps in creating a multi-dimensional narrative with depth and complexity.

Ensuring Completeness

By addressing all 64 story points and adhering to the defined plot progression, Dramatica ensures that the story is complete and balanced. This meticulous approach helps prevent plot holes and unresolved character arcs.

Character Dynamics

Understanding character archetypes and their functions within the story allows for richer character interactions and development. Dramatica’s focus on character relationships, especially between the Main and Impact Characters, adds emotional depth to the narrative.

Benefits and Challenges

How can Dramatica help you, and what challenges does it present? Let’s explore!

Benefits

• Thoroughness: Dramatica’s detailed framework ensures that every aspect of the story is considered, leading to a well-rounded and coherent narrative.
• Complexity: The theory’s focus on multiple throughlines and character dynamics allows for rich, multi-layered storytelling.
• Guidance: The structured approach provides clear guidance for writers, helping them navigate the complexities of plot and character development.

Challenges

Complexity: Dramatica’s  exhaustive approach can be overwhelming, especially for new writers.

Rigidity: Some writers may find the structured framework too restrictive, preferring a more flexible and organic approach to plotting.

Final Thoughts

While I have moved on to other methods, Dramatica’s focus on balance has influenced my approach to storytelling. Studying it, and trying it, is a great way to expand how you think about your stories.

“A word after a word after a word is power.” ~Margaret Atwood

The Dreaded Writer’s Block

Writer’s block is a common challenge that every writer faces at some point. It’s that frustrating moment when you’re staring at a blank page, knowing exactly what you want to write, but feeling unable to proceed.

It’s toughest when you don’t know the cause, but as you gain experience as an author and learn from others, you learn what might be underlying your block, and can get past it. And, while there are many causes of writer’s block, one culprit I run into sometimes is the pressure to get it perfect on the first go. Despite knowing it doesn’t have to be perfect, the desire for near-perfection can create a mental barrier. So, how do you overcome this? I’ve found a solution in varying my approach.

Understanding the Block

An effective strategy I’ve been using to overcome this block is to change how I approach the page. If you typically write in a specific style, tense, or viewpoint, try mixing it up. Here’s a method that works for me:

1. Change the Tense and Style:
I usually write my fiction in third-person limited viewpoint and past tense, which can sometimes feel too formal for an initial draft. To break through this formality, I switch to writing in present tense and adopt a more casual style, as if I’m recounting the story to a friend. This relaxed approach can free your creativity and make the process feel less daunting.

2. Use Parenthetical Notes:
When you encounter details you’re unsure about, don’t let them halt your progress. Instead, add a note in parentheses to remind yourself to work those details in later. This keeps you moving forward without getting bogged down by specifics.

3. Allow Flexibility in the Scene:
Go back and add elements to the scene as you realize they’re needed. This iterative process can help you build a richer narrative without feeling the pressure to get it all perfect in one go.

4. Shift Viewpoints:
If you usually write in third person, try switching to first person, and vice versa. This can provide a fresh perspective and make it easier to get words down on paper. Even if you stick to one viewpoint, allow yourself to explore what other characters are thinking. When you revise, you can refine it to ensure it sticks to your chosen viewpoint character’s experiences.

Final Thoughts

Writer’s block, especially when you know what you want to write but feel stuck, can be incredibly frustrating. However, varying your approach can be a powerful tool to overcome it. By changing the tense, adopting a more casual style, using parenthetical notes, and experimenting with viewpoints, you can unlock your creativity and get those words flowing. Remember, the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. I even call mine “garbage drafts,” another way to remind myself that they can be a mess, and that I can clean them up later. Allow yourself the freedom to write imperfectly, and it is much easier to move forward.

This approach has worked wonders for me, and I encourage other writers to try something similar. By giving yourself permission to write differently, you might discover new insights and break through the barriers holding you back.

“When you face writer’s block, just lower your standards and keep going.” ~ Sandra Tsing Loh