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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/30459
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

I think if you can find a way to enjoy each part of the process separately, you'll be able to get past your concerns. Whatever works for you, write in that way. Outline, stream of consciousness, polish now or later, etc.

I am now attacking the second draft of my first novel. For the first draft, it was important to get the entire draft completed, because I knew if I went back to polish the beginning, without a draft of the end in place, I would probably not finish the project. I needed a complete draft, so that now, as I go through, my goal is simply to improve what is in place.

Small parts of the first draft were in fact effortless and read well to me with distance, too. Most of the draft needs a lot of improvement. I learned my story in more depth as I wrote it, so there are plenty of mistakes up front, etcetera. I've identified eleven different things I want to focus on in my revisions - Everything from character voice to identifying any internal inconsistencies. I expect to have twelve drafts when all is done. But, these should each not take too long, I hope.

But having said ALL of that, there were times during the first draft (whose goal was to get the entire story to paper, with no concern for details like character voice) when I simply could. not. do. it. I still wanted to work, but stared at my keyboard, blank. So, on those days I would look at the previous chapters and edit them a bit to make them tight.

My final suggestion is to simply practice the thing you are scared you cannot do. Practice what you identified:

> I need to write in a more efficient way, one that will allow me to get my thoughts out, but still let me control how sophisticated my diction is.

I think as you practice doing the thing you think you cannot do, you will find that you can do it and writing will be easier and easier. I hope.

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