I don't know about you but I've put in some big writing "bursts" this week and I can see that I am in the final few chapters. As usual, I am trying to be consistent with my daily writing knowing that soon I will have completed the first draft!

There is a lot of value in reading, and reading intentionally, as you write your first draft. You can pick up effective ways to structure scenes, including realistic dialog, that will help you when the time comes to edit that draft.

One day at a time, progress no perfection! You got this!

You know that favourite part of your story? The part you love writing about? The part you are so excited about? When you go back and revise your novel, you'll have a chance to make every chapter sing in a similar way! People are going to really enjoy every chapter, not just the finale.

Don't worry about flow, plot, structure, dialog...just keep the story moving, stay creative, be experimental if you must. The most important thing is to keep moving forward.

This is my low point...so what?

First drafts are not meant to be good, let alone perfect. Keep writing, don't listen to that inner critic. Everything gets fixed later. Now, during the draft writing, your task is to get your ideas and thoughts down on paper. That's it!

You don't have to write in chronological order! If you feel inspired, feel free to write a scene that comes later (or earlier) than where you happen to be in your timeline.

Stay the course! Keep writing! The first draft isn't your best work! You can do it! If writing were easy, everyone would be an author!

Every protagonist exhibits strengths or weaknesses in: proactivity, relatability and competence. Figure out their strengths and lean on them; determine their weaknesses and show their growth.