How To Write a First Draft, The Art of Editing, The Creativity Faucet & More

Shani Bwanji Doctors & Writers,

Welcome to the 26th edition of the newsletter.

As you’ve learned in recent weeks, writing isn’t a one-and-done process.

It’s a craft shaped by repetition, feedback, and refinement.

Yet, many writers trip themselves up by chasing perfection, blurring the line between creativity and criticism, and confusing polished work with moments of genius.

This week, we’re diving into the power of iterative writing - the art of showing up, embracing imperfection, and letting each draft get you closer to the writer you want to be.

Today at a Glance

Question: How Often Do You Write Imperfectly?

Quote: On the Value of Revisiting Ideas

Framework: The Creativity Faucet

Idea: Mistakes That Teach

Video: Storytelling Gems From Richard Powers

Question: How Often Do You Write Imperfectly?

You’ve heard it before:

“The first draft doesn’t have to be perfect.”

But be honest.

How often do you let yourself write imperfectly?

We spend so much time meticulously editing mid-draft to the point we lose momentum. Unfortunately, the results are constant. Half-baked ideas and an unwarranted sense of frustration about not being able to write or publish the idea that's running circles in the back of our minds.

So instead of aiming for perfection on your first go, try this:

• Set a timer for 20 minutes.

• Write nonstop. No edits and no backspace.

• End each session by saving your draft without rereading it.

• When you return, approach it as an editor and not the writer.

The goal at the start is progress. That's it.

The brilliance with editing comes later.

Quote: On the Value of Revisiting Ideas

Lesson: Stop treating the first draft as the final word and instead, see it as the groundwork for your ideas. The moment inspiration strikes, write everything down in as much detail as possible. Don't overcomplicate it. The real magic lies in returning to your draft and unearthing what’s worth keeping. Similar to mining, not every piece of rock is gold, but the more you dig, the more treasure you uncover.

Framework: The Creativity Faucet

One of the best feelings as a writer is when you're buzzing with excitement to express an idea in words. At the same time, one of the worst feelings is when you sit down at your desk, you're lost for words and can't string a simple sentence together.

Ed Sheeran once described creativity as a single faucet. When you first turn it on, the water is murky. But after a while, the dirty water clears out and you're left with a steady, clear stream.

Here’s how to use this metaphor to your advantage:

1. Capture Everything

Bad ideas often lead to great ones. Keep a notebook or app handy to note down everything, even the seemingly ridiculous thoughts. The idea is to collect as much ammunition as possible to later simply connect those ideas.

2. Open the Tap Daily

Write something every day. There are no exceptions to this step. Write about your environment, your day, or a recent conversation with a friend. The more consistent you are, the sooner you'll be able to clear out the murk from your faucet.

3. Filter with Intent

Now that you’ve got the ammunition (ideas), and volume (rough first drafts), it's time to search for the gems. In your calendar, block out an hour to revisit your work weekly or monthly with a focus on refining your best ideas.

Idea: When to Let Go

Here’s the paradox of iteration: while rewriting is crucial, knowing when to stop is just as important. Because over-editing can strip your work of its voice and energy.

If you want to avoid this, set boundaries.

For example:

• Limit yourself to three rounds of editing

• Get feedback from one trusted reader

• Address only their most critical points

• Ask, “Does this feel ready?” If the answer is yes, it probably is.

Always remind yourself that the key is progress, not perfection.

Think less, write fast, and move on to your next piece.

Video: Storytelling Gems From Richard Powers

This week’s pick is a conversation with Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Powers. In it, he unpacks the art of storytelling—from building layered characters to crafting dialogue that resonates. It’s a masterclass in blending emotion with precision. Enjoy!

Alright, that’s it for this week.

The key takeaway from this edition is that writing is all about showing up, putting in the work, and trusting that the process will shape you into a better writer.

What’s one idea you’ll iterate on this week?

Hit reply and let us know, we'd love to hear about it and help you bring it to life.

Here’s to a year of deliberate practice,

Adi & Pranav