The sh*t first draft and other ways to overcome writer’s block (bit sweary)

Writer’s block happens to everyone. Including us copywriters (not that all of us admit it). The difference between us and the average business owner is that we have to learn to push through the block like, well, rather like paying our mortgages depended on it.

People often confuse not having enough time to complete a writing project with writer’s block.

“I just can’t seem to find the time to do it.” We say, as we scroll through our social media feeds and share another cat video. Often the reality is that we put off writing tasks because we fear the blank page and don’t know where to start. Here are some of the tricks that have worked for me over the years.

1.     SFD

In her book, Write, Karen Peterson talks about giving ourselves permission to write a ‘shit first draft’ (SFD). As both a writer and a psychologist, she explains how we access one side of our brain to draft and another side of our brain to edit. We encounter problems when we try to draft and edit at the same time. Unfortunately, the more important the writing task (any kind of marketing material for example, where what we say can significantly impact our livelihoods) the more we are tempted to edit as we go. How often have you written a first sentence only to delete it and repeated this process several times? We’ve all been there. To get out of that cycle we need to turn our internal editor off and give ourselves permission to write an SFD. We do this by explaining to our internal editor that once the words are on the page it can edit them as much as it likes. Sounds slightly bonkers but works surprisingly well.

2.     Write fast and don’t look back

You know in the old Superman and Spiderman films where the newspaper editors are always a bit shouty? Some of us have internal editors like that. They simply will not give us permission to write an SFD. They want perfection and they want it on their desks yesterday. To silence this sort of internal editor, try setting a timer and only giving yourself ten minutes to write. As shouty as your internal editor is, they will have to accept that no one can achieve writing perfection in ten minutes. If you only have ten minutes you have to write fast and not look back. If you get into a ‘flow’ and want to write for longer that’s great. Then your editor can get the red pen out and really enjoy itself. Everyone wins.

3.     Say what you see

So often in life, Roy Walker’s words ring true. And none more so than when it comes to writing. Another way to bypass your internal editor until you’ve completed a first draft is to write as if you are explaining something to someone. Keep it simple. And remember – this isn’t going to be the finished article. Although it may end up being better than you think once your internal editor has left you to it.

Edit. Edit. Edit.

Don’t forget the most crucial aspect of this process. Once you’ve completed a first draft, you need to invite your internal editor back to edit. And then edit again. And again.

Don’t try to edit immediately after you’ve written a first draft. You’ll be too close to it and still using the other side of your brain. Many famous writers, such as Neil Gaiman, describe their editing process as leaving a piece of writing in a drawer until they are completely detached from it and it no longer feels like it has come from them. Only then can they look at it objectively. Unfortunately, in the commercial world, we rarely have the luxury of weeks and weeks of perfectionism. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to build at least a few hours' editing time into a writing task. And to at least walk away for five minutes or do another task before returning with your editor’s hat on.

Alternatively, you could ask a copywriter to help you. If only you knew where to find a good one… (07973 304253).