The Next Draft Retreat, June 25-29, 2023
This summer in Florence the Art of Writing is doing some heavy lifting. We are lifting you and your first drafts during our summer writing retreat called The Next Draft. We are making you and your writing lighter. Many of you are facing the first draft predicament.
COMMON QUESTIONS
‘I’ve finished my first draft, now what should I do?’
‘Do I have to pay an editor to go through my first draft now that I’ve finished?’
‘I know my first draft has big issues but am not sure how to handle them.’
We are here to teach you how to handle your first draft.
The first draft has many of you stalled. That’s why we are running a very special first draft retreat from June 25-29.
Think seriously about joining us and let me know if you’re thinking about coming. 50 to 60,000 words constitutes a first draft.
Here below is part of our plan. Starting with the First Draft Preparation Pack that you will receive from the Art of Writing closer to our start date, June 25th. Also included here are instructions on what you will bring to The Next Draft retreat.
What is in the Art of Writing First Draft Prep Pack?
The Prep Pack contains:
Guidance on cultivating ‘fresh eyes’ and sharpening critical reading skills in preparation for the retreat.
A PDF file of readings –fiction, narrative non-fiction and personal essay – that will be referred to throughout the retreat. These should be read prior to first day.
Details of what to bring and how to format your work.
What to bring to the Art of Writing First Draft retreat?
The PDF file of readings from the Prep Pack (digital or print-out)
A draft synopsis of up to 500 words (digital or print-out)
A print-out of the complete manuscript (formatting guidelines will be supplied)
Notebook, pencils/pens, coloured pens. Optional: sticky notes, highlighters.
What is a synopsis and why are they so important? Why should writers bring a draft synopsis with them to this retreat?
On the first day of the retreat, we will be discussing the importance of synopsis writing as a developmental tool. It is part of the process of looking at the big picture of your manuscript and understanding your intent. The discipline of encapsulating the story in a limited number of words helps you to clarify what it is you are writing about, not just what happens in your story, and invites you to think about who your reader is.
Your synopsis, for the purposes of this retreat, should include title, word count, genre, a one-sentence hook, reference to themes, overview of the storyline (including the set-up and the ending) and comparison texts. There are some tips on synopsis writing here: laurelcohn.com.au/writing-a-synopsis/
Synopses are notoriously difficult to write, so it’s good to practise! Bringing a draft synopsis with you, however rough it is, will provide you with something to work on and redraft. You will not be required to submit or read aloud your draft synopsis.
There will be time at the retreat to tweak and hone your draft synopsis with support from Laurel and Lisa. The synopsis as a development tool becomes an important reference document when you come to approach the next draft.
The draft synopsis can be either soft copy (digital) or hard copy (print-out). You will be revising the synopsis during the course of the retreat.
Why should they bring a hard copy of their ms with them?
As you are introduced to the different steps involved in structural editing, you will be practising them on your drafts. Part of the shift from writer to reader involves reading your work in print, seeing it differently. Having a hardcopy of your manuscript to work with allows you to annotate it using colour and various marks that will help you navigate the next draft.
How many words constitutes a draft in your mind? + What if a writer only has 50,000 or 60,000 words written, but they include The End?
There is no right or wrong length to an early draft. Most published books (fiction and narrative non-fiction) are between 70,000 and 90,000 words. Early drafts are often a lot longer, or much shorter. That’s not a problem. As long as you have a storyline that you have conceived from beginning to end, even if there are bumpy bits or patchy sections, you have something to work with and develop. First drafts are usually particularly messy – which is perfectly fine!
Start planning now for your time in Florence, and if you are minutes away from your manuscript’s The End/full stop/period, use June 25th as your deadline to finish it!
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2023 Art of Writing Dates
Sunday, May 7th to Thursday, May 11th, 2023, Florence
Sunday, June 4th to Thursday, June 8th, 2023, Florence
Sunday, June 25th to Thursday, June 29th The Next Draft, for finished manuscripts.
Sunday July 9th to Thursday, July 13th, 2023, Florence
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If you’d like to share any comments or thoughts, I’d be happy to hear from you. Email me directly at lisacliffordwriter@gmail.com.
