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How many drafts do you make before publishing?

  1. howvoicebegan
    Member

    I'm terrible at following the "rules" of writing. All throughout school, my teachers forced us to write a "rough draft" and then a final copy. We always had to have at least one draft and have visible corrections being made.

    When I write blog posts, I almost never do a draft- I publish it as is. Sometimes it shows. But I feel like if I make a draft, I'll just over-analyze it and never be satisfied, so I'd rather publish in the heat-of-the-moment, so to speak.

    Do you do drafts before publishing? I'm not talking about starting an idea and coming back to it later- I'm talking about true drafts of the entire post that goes through revisions before posting.

    I hope I'm not alone in breaking the rules....

    The blog I need help with is howvoicebegan.com.

  2. ardpete
    Member

    I don't need to do drafts, my awesomeness shines through first time, every time.

  3. stefansphotos
    Member

    I do have a lot of drafts, but that is mostly because I edit a bunch of pictures and then upload them in posts already, so that I can post, when I am on the run ...

    I don't use the drafts you speak off though - mostly I guess, because I don't need them since I hardly ever write more than 5 lines ;)

    If it works for you that you publish in the heat of the moment - who cares what the rule is ;) - but that are just my two cents ...

  4. invisiblemikey
    Member

    Those rules for writing were established prior to the advent of computer-based word processing. Now that the software allows it, my ordinary method is to mull over the ideas for a day or so, write a little, look it over, make changes, write a bit more, look that over etc. before publishing. Therefore, by the time I hit the "publish" button, I've gone through several drafts, but as a continuous process. Since the WP software is not WYSIWYG, I often make additional revisions after viewing the post, based on how it looks, how it flows when read, to reduce the number of words needed to make a point, and to increase clarity. I rarely add anything.

    Sometimes I get through the entire process in a couple of hours. Some ideas for posts are simpler.

  5. timethief
    Member

    Hi howvoicebegan
    invisiblemikey described what I do. :)

  6. maidiebike
    Member

    Similar to Mikey: I start drafting in Word and then I transfer to WordPress in draft. Usually still not best.

    I do alot of previewing because all my posts usually include more than 1 photo. I also like to position subheadings to relieve the blog reader of too much text and to keep them focused on the blog post, subject-wise.

    I might string out the writing here and there in fits over a 2 day period. When I publish, it tends to be abit calculated when I date this. I actually have several posts all post dated across 3 blogs. Seize the inspiration when you can.

    I also deal with guest blog writers for 1 of the blogs.

  7. iameva1
    Member

    I guess you can say I write two drafts. I handwrite my poetry then proofread it and edit a few words, then I post my work. Its about finding what works for you, you can still have a great post without following specific rules.. I keep it simple and it works for me :)

  8. beautykissesforalex
    Member

    usually i make 3

  9. noirciplume
    Member

    my daily posting routine:

    - I handwrite my first draft (fountain pen) and add it onto a my blog file.
    - Type draft onto Evernote. Thus I usually add a bit more.
    - Copy second draft onto WordPress.
    - Correct grammar and punctuation.
    - Add images
    - Read through twice
    - Publish!

  10. theinsanityaquarium
    Member

    I write out story ideas in my notebook and then fully develop them into a story, either in writing or directly onto the computer. Then I'll do a bit of editing before scheduling the stories to appear on Monday. But if I have scheduled the story a few days before Monday then I might go back and jiggle it round a bit if I think of something else to put in there.

    I am one for the rules... for example, I remember at senior school my English teacher told me I used too many dashes and ever since then I've tried not to use them too much! I did get the highest GCSE results in English that my school had ever seen... probably because I started using semi-colons in place of dashes afterwards; it always makes you look more intelligent :D

  11. darkjade68
    Member

    Generally my Editorials I Write right from head, to computer... It's very rare that I've Written it prior to Posting. I then read it over a bit, and then Publish it shortly after Writing it.

    With my Creative Writing, I often Fill Black Notebooks... And when I actually Enter it into my Blog, which in some cases is two or three days later, I change/improve it as I go. I then read it over, and Publish it.

    So one or two drafts I suppose.

    DarkJade-

  12. mistressneko
    Member

    I have a tendency to write in a very "stream of consciousness" way that ends up feeling very much like I'm chatting with someone.... it means I usually need to have quite a few drafts as I tighten things up and make that chaos more coherent and easier to follow.

    Well... that and my habit of writing for a wee bit... saving it so I can wander off and do something "real world".... and then getting back to it when a new notion has snuck into my noggin that needs including... or something that I just plain forgot to include the first time round.

    Probably why I'm a cook by profession and not a writer.... ;)

  13. crashcourseinself
    Member

    So here's how it works for me.

    If I can get a post out, it just flows. Normally I don't edit except to proofread. I write, move around a few paragraphs, and publish. The entire time it takes for me to write a story is under a couple hours, if it flows properly.

    If it doesn't, then normally the germs of the post sit there in my drafts folder for weeks, maybe months, before trying to stitch them together.

    Call me a lazy writer (I probably am).

  14. photographyfreestyle
    Member

    just one or two.....
    but i always read what i'm going to post likefive times :) and always fine one mistake

  15. maidiebike
    Member

    One thing for certain: I never draft any publicaiton, letter or report on paper/long hand anymore. I haven't for the past 2 decades. My handwriting has deteroriated to a point that I have problems reading my own stuff! So 'drafting' is on the computer.

    But I am very good in formal painted hand calligraphy!

  16. dingledodie
    Member

    I always publish my first draft. I hate revising. But sometimes, I'll look over a post and go, "That's not supposed to be there" or "That sucks" and I'll edit the post later. But never before posting.

  17. tessf
    Member

    I keep a lot of drafts and ideas stashed all over the place. Some days I revise more than others, but it depends how excited I am about the new piece. :)

    There are days when I revise and tweak even after I've submitted and published. :(
    (I teach writing. ..we make our students show their drafts to check for plagiarism but also to save ourselves the headache of grading a ten minute half-ass attempt.)

  18. kennethmarkhoover
    Member

    I'm a professional writer so I don't really do drafts for a blog, but I do try and look for any mistakes I may have made after I write it. I don't bother with any deep revisions, however, for blog posts.

    Now fiction stories...that's something different. :P

  19. tltcl
    Member

    I don't do drafts, but I do check over my posts for inevitable mistakes.

    Although on my second blog I tend to go through 50 or 60 drafts before publishing my thoughts on obsessive compulsive disorder.

  20. teamoyeniyi
    Member

    I don't draft either. I check for mistakes though - hope I don't miss too many.

    The intention of my blof was to write from the heart, to capture the feelings being experienced, so drafting and re-drafting would defeat that original purpose.

    Now, the book is a completely different story - at the moment it is draft one, but it will see many re-drafts, I am sure.

  21. tltcl
    Member

    I'm sure your blof doesn't have many mistakes ;-)

  22. robrubin
    Member

    I post to my humor blog The Mainland 3 days a a week - Mon, Wed, and Fri. Usually I write drafts on Sun, Tue, and Thu then make some final tweaks the morning of days I post.

  23. teamoyeniyi
    Member

    Thank you TLTCL for spotting that. How much do you charge as a permanent proof reader?

  24. tltcl
    Member

    You're welcome! For you it's free of course. The context amused me.

  25. teamoyeniyi
    Member

    I can imagine! LOLOL

  26. tinytibet
    Member

    I either handwrite or type my idea first without editing, then I go back to reread, edit as I proof check for any errors this can take a minimum of 4 hours depending on the topic. Before I publish I run it through one or two people for a fresh perspective of anything I missed, then I publish!

  27. raincoaster
    Member

    tl:dr

    I'm a professional writer. Virtually everything I've ever published has been a first draft but that reflects the aesthetic of the time. I'm now working for a journalistic outfit, http://thedailydot.com and it's a whole different scene. Five drafts are not unknown.

    I'm having culture clash.

    This is one powerful reason why blogs emerged: you could just god damn well SAY whatever it was you wanted to say.

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