One client project overran, another was much bigger and more time-consuming that I’d initially planned for. Give both versions a look, then keep reading to find out what happened between first and final draft.įor me, April was one of those months. I never want the newsletter to prescribe or imply there’s only one right way of doing things. In this instance, I had a last-minute change of heart about the tone and message having read a few friends’ social posts that morning. The goal is to welcome readers and set the tone. It’s usually inspired by something I’m experiencing which I feel might resonate. I develop the tips throughout the month, but I tend to free-write the opening just a couple of days ahead. The format consists of an introduction followed by three tips. You can read the most recent edition here. My newsletter, The Right Place, is a monthly, light-hearted look at what it means to run a small business with purpose. It’s definitely not the best thing I’ve ever written but it does demonstrate the transition between first attempt and hitting send, so we’ll go with it. The piece in question is the opening to my May newsletter. I’ll admit this feels a bit like showing you my messy drawer, my bathroom cabinet or my bank statement. How many of us have heard: “It’s only a few words, it shouldn’t take you long”? Perhaps if they could see the work involved in coaxing brilliant copy out, they’d feel differently. The second reason is that I think we do ourselves a disservice by masking the blood, sweat and tears behind what we do. Because in a way, aren’t the workings out the most interesting part? I’ll also share the process that separates the two. So alongside that first draft, I’ve included the final version for you to compare. You get points for showing your ‘workings out’ as well as your answer.

It’s a bit like doing maths exams in school. But recently I see more and more people opting to ‘build in public’ and share their creative process without a filter. Many of us are quite isolated in our work. (Not without some trepidation, might I add.) I’ve decided to lift the hood and share one of those first drafts. I save over them with my edits and improvements as soon as I can, eager to forget the indignity of the first attempt.

I don’t know about you, but I never keep my first drafts. The blank page, the often horrendous first draft and the work that goes into delivering something presentable in the end.

As writers and creatives, we talk a lot about process.

First draft vs final draft example