Draft Shorter or Longer? Finding Your Best First-Draft Strategy
The age-old question for writers isn’t just what to write, but how to write it. When starting a new project, should you aim to get the bare bones down quickly, or pour everything onto the page, creating a sprawling, messy first draft? Both approaches have dedicated followers, and the “best” method often depends on your personal workflow and the project itself. Writing Short: “The Skeleton Approach”
Many writers prefer to draft short first. This involves focusing on the key scenes, plot points, and dialogue, while leaving descriptions and complex world-building for later.
Pros: You finish the first draft faster, which boosts motivation. It focuses on the core framework, making it easier to see the structure of your story.
Cons: You might feel like you have to write the entire draft again to add substance. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed during revision if the draft is just an outline, requiring extensive filling-in of holes.
Best for: Writers who get bogged down in details, those prone to stalling mid-way, and planners who want a structured, solid foundation.
Writing Long: “The Everything-and-the-Kitchen-Sink Approach”
Other writers prefer to dump every idea, description, and sub-plot into the first draft, resulting in a project that is often much longer than the final version will be.
Pros: You have a wealth of material to work with during revision, allowing you to choose the best parts and cut the rest. You explore character and plot fully on the first pass.
Cons: The revision process can feel daunting, as you have to cut massive amounts of content. It takes longer to complete the initial draft, which can cause you to lose steam.
Best for: “Pantsers” (those who write by the seat of their pants), writers who think through writing, and those who prefer having too much material over having too little. Which is Better?
Ultimately, neither approach is inherently better than the other—it is all about, according to Quora, making the final draft better than the original.
If you struggle to finish: Draft shorter. It gets you to the end faster.
If your story feels shallow: Draft longer. It forces you to flesh out the world. Key Takeaways
Regardless of which method you choose, the goal of a first draft is simply to exist. As noted on Reddit, striking while the story is fresh ensures you capture the intended tone. Don’t be afraid to leave notes to yourself like “add more description” rather than stopping to write them immediately.
Let the story find its own length, and don’t worry about the word count until the revision stage.
Are you a “short” or “long” drafter? Tell me a bit about your current project and I can help you decide which approach might work best for you! Go long & cut, or write short & add? – The Writer