First drafts require starting from nothing and creating something only slightly better than nothing.

via Advice on Writing the First Draft of a Novel | WritersDigest.com.

I’m lucky this weekend to be able to retreat with some writer friends. One night in a beautiful Bed and Breakfast five minutes from my house, great light, comfy sofa, lots of time to write and dream. Even if you can’t manage a night away, think about how you can create mini retreats in your life so you can get your ideas down. I’m thinking and planning now just how I can fit the odd moment of extra writing into my regular days.

And right now, I’m going to write for an hour without stopping. Want to join me?

Imagine you’re in a place you’ve never been before. To do this well, you’re going to have to do a little research, either online or in the library. Look out for details about the texture of the place – what does it feel like, what’s the weather like, what can you smell, hear, see? Describe the place in detail, giving yourself over to what you’ve learned about the place as you’ve explored it imaginatively. Learning to do research is a crucial skill for a writer, and one that can be highly enjoyable too.