Directory Writing Workshops

Writing Workshop: Getting That First Draft Done

Dancing Word Writers Workshop

with Karen Wiesner

December 16, 2005

Hosted by: Anne McDonald

Dancing Word Publisher/Editor

* This chat has been edited for clarity

Anne McDonald: Let's go ahead and get started. The others will join us as they can.

Karen Wiesner: Sounds good.

Anne McDonald: I'll open up in prayer, go over protocol, then introduce our guest.

Lord, thank You so much for caring for us. Thank You for keeping my family safe despite our car problem. Please minister to Ellie and help her feel better soon. Bless those who were not able to come tonight because of storms. Please meet their individual needs. Help us to learn a lot as Karen shares her expertise. Open our hearts and minds to what You would have us do with the gifts You have given us. Bless Karen for taking the time to speak with us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Protocol reminder: when the floor is open to questions, please type ? for questions, ! for comments and ga when you are finished typing. For those new to the chat room, "ga" means "go ahead" and keeps us from stepping on each others' toes. Please wait to be called on in turn.

Tonight I'm eager to introduce Karen Wiesner, the author of the Writers Digest book First Draft In 30 Days. Karen, welcome.

* AZAnnie hands Karen the microphone

Karen Wiesner: Hi, everyone.  Thanks for coming.

* AZAnnie leads the applause

Karen Wiesner: OK, the basis of the book is creating a "first draft" outline within 30 days. Thirty days is actually just a guideline, but during this time, you create character sketches, setting sketches, and informal plot sketch and summary outline. All of this forms the formatted outline.

Scene by scene, the outline includes every single scene in your novel. You revise the outline and that's where you work all the kinks out of the book. Finally, the book teaches you how to plan your career so you're alternating between outlining, writing and revising.

More books finished and better quality, instead of slamming down anything that comes to you and then sweating blood, sweat and tears to fix all the problems with your ms. OK, that should be enough to get us going. Questions?

Ken Baker: Does it depend on the genre of the book?

Karen Wiesner: No, not at all. Many of you many know that I write in just about *every* genre, and I've used this method for all of them. And the book uses examples from best-selling books of all genres.

Anne McDonald: How long did it take for you to develop your draft technique?

Karen Wiesner

Click cover to purchase book

First Draft In 30 Days

March 2005

Writers Digest Books

www.firstdraftin30days.com