Is it okay to call your first draft ugly?

2024/11/19 Edited to

... Read moreWriting can often feel daunting, especially when staring down a first draft that feels less than perfect. Many writers experience self-doubt as they navigate the creative process, leading to the term 'ugly first draft.' This phrase emphasizes the importance of initial, unrefined ideas that can transform into polished works over time. Author Cassie Corbin reminds us that these early iterations are crucial stepping stones in writing. Encouraging communities such as #BookTok and #bookishhumor offer support and share experiences, helping writers recognize that each 'ugly' draft contributes to a finished piece. Writing with friends or peers can grant invaluable feedback, inspiring creativity and confidence. Embrace imperfection, collaborate, and remember: every writer starts with rough drafts.

10 comments

Dominique Gibson Author's images
Dominique Gibson Author

😂😂😂😂. This is hilarious

Related posts

The cover of 'the letters i will never send' by Isabella Dorta, featuring a light yellow design with postage stamps. Text overlays indicate it's a review and warns of emotional content, resting on a gray blanket.
An open page of the book showing a dedication 'to myself, to the old me, the broken girl...'. A text overlay highlights 'This Dedication <3'. The page is white, on a gray textured surface.
Two open pages of the book, displaying an introduction about its purpose as a collection of letters for healing and self-expression. An overlay states it's 'not your usual "book"' and speaks directly to the reader.
Reading it first so you don’t have to <3
I’ve loved this author since i discovered her on tiktok. This “book” if you wanna call it that, is definitely needed. Especially if you are in your healing journey. The format is beautiful and the words within the book bring a whole awakening to you. #healingthroughwriting #poetry #BookRev
Dallas

Dallas

1675 likes

A+ habits to copy before school starts ✨🦋👇
Okay besties… the semester isn’t here yet, but we all know once it starts it’s ✨ pure chaos ✨ so I’m setting myself up now. Not with the boring ‘make a schedule’ tips (been there, forgot to use it), but with habits that actually make my life easier when school takes over. Think: 📂 pre-made dig
Stella Studies

Stella Studies

2841 likes

A hand holds the book 'This is How You Lose the Time War' on a white textured surface, with text overlay stating 'this tiny book made me believe in romance' and heart graphics.
The cover of 'This is How You Lose the Time War' by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone, rated 5 stars, described as an 'epistolary love story between two enemy agents' and 'sci fi with the most lyrical writing'.
The back cover and open pages of 'This is How You Lose the Time War', featuring a quote 'I want to meet you in every place I ever loved...' and noting it was 'co-written! (one author wrote each character)'.
i am embarassingly obsessed, okay?
have you ever had one of those books where once you finished it … you immediately picked it back up to start again? that was my experience with this is how you lose the time war by amal el-mohtar and max gladstone. some people call this book confusing, but i honestly think the plot is pretty
Steph 📚💫

Steph 📚💫

2779 likes

You are not ugly, you just need these things
If you ever struggle with feeling okay with your look, there are so many ways you can elevate it. Good skin care, body care, hair care, and makeup can do wonders. Even just eating the right stuff and working out can help you love yourself a little more. I personally love African body care for g
Janice

Janice

6475 likes

Things You Need to Learn to be Okay With
Open your heart and protect your peace 🌺 #peace #embracevulnerability #hopecore #HOPE #LoveYourself #selflove #peaceofmind #love #loveislove
Star

Star

857 likes

A person types on a laptop with a vibrant sunset scene on a monitor in the background, illustrating writing tips for authors.
Two mugs of lavender lattes on a wooden table, accompanied by a cookie, emphasizing the tip to not fear deleting written content.
An assortment of coffee drinks and a scone on a table, representing the advice that it's acceptable to write characters out of character sometimes.
WRITING TIPS
WRITING TIPS I WISH I HAD LEARNED SOONER!🤍 The good old writers block.. we all love it, we’ve all had it. You find yourself at a certain point of your novel asking yourself: “…which direction is this going exactly?” Or, “I literally cannot think of what to write next.” I’ve found the BEST rem
darian yba | author

darian yba | author

275 likes

A pink-themed flat lay with a keyboard, mouse, and notebook, featuring the title "Career Guide HOW TO CALL IN SICK" and the Lemon8 logo.
A laptop keyboard with a dark background displays "Tips on Calling in Sick," listing advice such as choosing communication methods, notifying supervisors early, informing team members, and being transparent.
A laptop displaying a mountain scene shows a sick day email template, including placeholders for manager's name, symptoms, and offering remote assistance or coverage for responsibilities.
How to call in sick: Take these steps
Hello everyone! I wanted to share some best practices for calling in sick. The key is to notify your supervisor as soon as possible, ideally before the start of the workday. Keep your message brief but informative, and offer an update on when you expect to return. If you’re contagious or have been
Yun Jung

Yun Jung

2995 likes

✨🍂 Fall & Winter Bill HACKS You NEED To SAVE $$ ❄️✨
✨ Okay besties… fall is coming, then winter is right behind her 👀 and let’s be real: utility companies LOVE to eat during these seasons. But guess what? We’re not letting them snatch our coins this year. 💅🏾 Here are some underrated hacks to keep you warm + cozy while keeping your bill LOW: 🍁 Fal
Margarita

Margarita

1816 likes

A close-up of an open book displaying the comforting text: 'To everyone carrying a heavy heart in silence. You're going to be okay.' The Lemon8 logo and username '@sugracia_diaria' are visible at the bottom left.
You will be okay🌸
#healingjourney #innerhealing #praytogod #selfcare #selflovejourney #healinghearts #foryou #sharethispost #lemon8creator #lemon8usa
Mind-Spirit Wellness

Mind-Spirit Wellness

260 likes

An open textbook and notebook with a pencil and paper airplane graphic, overlaid with the title 'Guide on Bouncing back From A Bad Test Grade'.
A desk with a tablet and planner, featuring text 'It is NOT the end of the World' and a blue box advising not to be discouraged by a bad test grade.
A desk with colorful pens and notebooks, showing text 'How to Move Forward: 1. Understand what you missed / got incorrect' with advice on analyzing mistakes and study techniques.
Comeback Academic Arc Season ✨
So what happens when you study and feel great before the test, but then your mind goes blank during the test? This just happened to me and I felt devastated at first, but then I realized learning is a process and it’s okay to miss the ball once in a while. What matters is trying again, and learning
Stella Studies

Stella Studies

682 likes

An iPad with a white case and stylus, next to a white keyboard. The screen displays icons for Notes, Goodnotes, and Notion, with text asking 'different ways to plan digitally which one is your go to??'.
An iPad displays a dated weekly planner for September 2-8, 2024, showing priorities and daily tasks. The screen mimics a traditional physical planner layout, with a stylus and part of a keyboard visible.
An iPad screen shows digital checklists for 'Organize/Declutter' and 'Groceries,' alongside a clock widget and motivational text. A stylus rests beside the device, illustrating digital list-making.
What's your digital planning go to?? 🩵
There are soo many different ways to plan digitally, from apps like Goodnotes to Notion to simply your Notes app. And within each of those, there's so many different styles of planning templates and organization systems that can be created! It can definitely be overwhelming at first! When I
Allie Marie 🧚🏻

Allie Marie 🧚🏻

267 likes

A purple-toned image showing two people skateboarding, overlaid with a list of funny, absurd replies to "wyd" (what are you doing?), such as "chillin in a freezer" and "selling my grandma on ebay."
A pink-toned image featuring a person in a light top, displaying various "BADDIE COMEBACKS pt. 1" with insults like "your adopted" and "fattie" paired with witty retorts.
A young woman in a blue tie-dye shirt and ripped jeans sits, surrounded by "Baddie comebacks" for phrases like "Your so quiet," "Your not funny," and "Your weird."
I have no idea what to call this but here it is
#help a girl out #comebacks these where all found on Pinterest 📌
Abby_SWIFTIE🫶💕

Abby_SWIFTIE🫶💕

48 likes

3 Things I Wish I Knew … ✍🏻
Starting out as a writer can feel like diving into the deep end without a floatie. 🌊🌊🌊 If I could go back and tell my newbie self a few things, this is what I would say: 1) It's okay to fail (and fail often)!!! Even all your favorite authors face rejection and write pieces that don’t
The Quiet Alchemist Podcast

The Quiet Alchemist Podcast

114 likes

Books you must add to your TBR
Okay, guys, I'm feeling all the feels after finishing these five books! Seriously, I've laughed, I've cried, and I've questioned everything I thought I knew. My emotions are all over the place, but in the best way possible. Some of these books broke my heart, but they also mended
Meredith Jao

Meredith Jao

794 likes

It’s okay to still be figuring yourself out
#itsokay #healingquotes #trust yourself #know your worth #selfcare #pursue #lifegoals #yourdoinggreat
Megan Wilson

Megan Wilson

50 likes

Start your youtube channel in 2025 📹✨
Okay babes, no gatekeeping here! Here’s exactly what I did to gain over 200 subscribers in less then a month ONLY USING SHORTS: 1. Repurposed my TikTok videos: I saved all the videos that preformed well on my TikTok and made sure they were in the same niche that I’d like to use on YouTube. (ex
Honestlydejaa

Honestlydejaa

16 likes

I hope ya’ll read this post & call BS!
Sadly, all of these workouts also fall under SUPER common knowledge in the fitness industry, and unless a fitness influencer has an accredited certification or degree in the field, they probably post shit like this. Which to be fair, they probably don’t know. The toxic diet culture that falls
Katie Duncan

Katie Duncan

20 likes

how to PLAN YOUR DAY to REDUCE STRESS 🌸
READ CAPTION FOR DEETS⬇️ When I first started working for myself full-time, I was so unorganized 😅 I’d either overwork or underwork. These 4 tips helped me get organized and start actually WORKING towards my goals: 1. Color-coding with Google Calendar If you’re self-employed and not
monica bulnes

monica bulnes

185 likes

A light-colored wall displays three framed artworks, with the largest featuring a vibrant portrait of a woman adorned with butterflies. A pink overlay prominently displays the title "Reminders for first-gen Latinas ❤️".
Three iced coffee drinks sit on a wooden table in a cafe, with people blurred in the background. A text overlay provides encouragement: "IT'S OKAY MIJITA, WE GET UP AND TRY AGAIN."
A rustic outdoor setting features colorful potted flowers in pink, yellow, and orange, alongside a lit lantern. An overlay shares a reminder: "RECUERDA MIJITA, SOMETIMES THINGS HAVE TO FALL APART, BEFORE IT CAN FALL WHERE IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE."
Reminders for first-gen Latinas ❤️
You got this 🔥🥰 #mexicanamerican #hispanic #firstgeneration #mijia #motivation #affirmations #collegestudent #reminder #reminders
cafeconestrella

cafeconestrella

31 likes

NOT OKAY
On April 25th I gave birth to my baby. I received 10 weeks of paid leave. I am now due back to work and I am not okay!!! I don’t want to go back but I know I have too 🥺🥺 This is going to be hard. I’m probably going to cry my first day back #babygirl #workingmom #nurse #nurselife
Fretnaturals

Fretnaturals

895 likes

🌱 Healing: The Ugly, Messy, Beautiful Journey 🌱
Healing is often romanticized, but the truth? It's messy and anything but serene.It's not just about feeling better; it's about confronting the deepest wounds and scars you’ve kept hidden for far too long. Healing can feel like a battle. 💥 You’ll wrestle with your past, face your mis
Erica Del Valle

Erica Del Valle

173 likes

A collage featuring anime like Anohana, Clannad, Assassination Classroom, Angel Beats!, Your Lie in April, and Violet Evergarden, with text 'ANIME TO MAKE YOU UGLY CRY'.
A laptop screen displays a scene from Anohana, showing a character with orange pigtails. The laptop keyboard is visible below, with 'anohana' text overlay.
A laptop screen shows a scene from Assassination Classroom, featuring Koro-sensei and a student. The laptop keyboard is visible below, with 'assassination classroom' text overlay.
ANIME THAT WILL MAKE YOU UGLY CRY 😭
Sometimes we just need a good, ugly cry, and these anime are like onions – they peel away your layers until you’re bawling over fictional characters 😭✨ 🌼 Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day "Anohana" is basically the ninja of tearjerkers – you don't see the emotional uppercut coming
Lushie Club 💖

Lushie Club 💖

1510 likes

my body isn’t perfect, and that’s okay 🫶🤍
i struggle with binge eating and bloating. what a combo 🥲 it’s the worst on rest days. i don’t do any physical activity, get bad cravings, restrict the whole day, and go crazy at night and eat everything in sight. i’ll wake up the next day bloated and sluggish and the guilt will eat me alive. my bl
raenuh

raenuh

452 likes

A title slide with the text "OFFLINE is the new luxury" and "Things I have learned & done from being off social media for 10 months + my recommendations" on a light background.
A highway scene at dusk with mountains in the background and a digital sign overhead displaying "DISCOVER A NEW WORLD - PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE," accompanied by text about social media addiction.
Various text boxes overlaid on a background of stacked books, discussing the benefits of a social media detox, including more free time, mental clarity, new hobbies, and the importance of not announcing the detox.
It’s okay to disconnect… here is my take on it
If you have been considering getting off social media for some time or have been going back and forth but never took action on it. This is your sign. I’m telling you it may be hard at first, BUT IT IS SO WORTH IT!! You will be surprised at how negatively social media can impact your life. I rememb
Eduarda 🇧🇷

Eduarda 🇧🇷

167 likes

Your content isn’t ugly, babe. 🎀
Most creators don’t need a new camera, a new niche, or a complete rebrand. They need: ✨ Better lighting ✨ Stronger hooks ✨ Consistency ✨ A strategy that actually makes sense The truth? Pretty content gets attention, but strategic content gets paid. Stop waiting until everything is perfect an
The Big Sister Circle ♡

The Big Sister Circle ♡

15 likes

just make it exist first. make it better later.
if you're a perfectionist, starting anything is the hardest part. it probably even feels paralyzing. i think that social media makes this worse. all we see are everyone's final results, but never see the hours of work, the projects that failed, and the ugly parts of creating something.
stephanie hope

stephanie hope

8 likes

I am not okay 📖🥲💔
#bookstagram #books #booklover #onestarromance #daugtherofsmokeandbone #acotar #acowar #acomaf #ilovebooks #books
📚 Cris 📚

📚 Cris 📚

325 likes

A collage of AI-generated doll images in various styles, including Funko, Monster High, Polly Pocket, Barbie, and Bratz, all featuring a character named Lindsey Loo, demonstrating different doll types.
A collection of AI-generated Monster High style dolls named Lindsey Loo, featuring long red hair, green hoodies with a cannabis leaf design, and dark pants, shown both in and out of their boxes.
A series of AI-generated Polly Pocket style dolls named Lindsey Loo, depicted with long red hair, pink glasses, black Scooby Doo hoodies, and various shoes, presented in and out of their packaging.
How to DIY your own A.I. dolls ✨
Okay so first you’re gonna wanna download the Edge app by Microsoft. Using their A.I. ask for images using a very detailed and descriptive prompt. Describe every piece of clothing and accessories you want. I used descriptions of how I wanted to box and doll to both be displayed. A rough draft of a
LindseyLoo🍓🧸🫧

LindseyLoo🍓🧸🫧

181 likes

Diving right in 📝
I started this novel writing project back in January, and I’ve officially finished the planning stage of it. Since yesterday, I’ve already jumped right into writing the first draft. It’s very much a new experience for me but at the same time it’s so exciting. Follow my bookstagram @ rhea_reads_
Rhea Singh

Rhea Singh

7 likes

Popular books I do not recommend
I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about those books that everyone seems to love… but I just didn't. 🤔 You know the ones, they're all over your social media, constantly recommended by friends, and topping bestseller lists. And yet… you just don't get the hype. 🙈 I used to f
Meredith Jao

Meredith Jao

33 likes

🦋🌸 Get To Know Me: Pt 3 🌿💚
• 🦋 • 🌸 #lemon8diarychallenge 🌿• 💚 • ________ Hehe, ;> so far, I am on Part 3 of my : “Get To Know Me” series 🦋🌸💚🌿 ______________ I’d like to say that no matter how much info you give others on the innanet, it’s truly up to you what you continue to share to people!
Dee 🔮🎥🥀

Dee 🔮🎥🥀

26 likes

My positive birth story as a first time mom
I wanted to pop in and share a positive birth story, because I feel like there are so many posts and stories that focus on what went wrong. As a first time mom who has been manifesting a perfect home birth since I was in high school, all I wanted to read were positive stories of quick, vaginal, unm
itsashlib

itsashlib

125 likes

See more