And Finish Your First Draft in Just Five Days
Dear Cherished Writers, Followers, and Friends,
It has been a year since I first published this article, my very first, and I am thrilled to share that it has become one of the most popular pieces I have ever published. Your appreciation and engagement have made this journey incredibly rewarding.
To celebrate this achievement, I have repainted it with new ideas and included a little story exclusively for you. I’m grateful to have you as a member of this community, and I thought you would like to see this updated version.
Allow yourself to be inspired by the summer sun and embark on a writing project you’ve been considering. Challenge yourself to complete your first draft in just five days!
I’ve done my best to make this new version intriguing and appealing, and I sincerely hope you find it as enjoyable as I did.
If you would prefer not to see tags in future updates, please let me know. Your belief in me has been instrumental in my growth, and I am grateful for your support throughout my first year on Medium.
Thank You for making this journey truly worthwhile.
Warm regards,
Julia
Intro
Imagine a world where wishes blossom like enchanted roses in the blink of an eye, where people walk over the rainbow, and where magic transforms you into a sorcerer of words.
Step 1: Visualization
Put on your favorite music, choose a cozy spot, close your eyes, open your heart, and mind, and let your imagination lead you to visualize YOUR OWN book!
Look closely!
What does it look like?
How’s the cover?
Think about the colors, the format, and the width… the title… the author’s pen name — YOUR NAME.
Flip through it.
How does it feel?
Do you smell fresh ink?
Listen to the rumors.
Can you hear the characters speak?
Argue?
Make love?
So, who are the characters?
And… what’s the book about?
Ask yourself as many questions as you want, but don’t expect to answer them all.
Relax.
This visualization exercise is only the first step in your journey as an author.
Once you see YOUR book in your mind’s eye and feel it with all your senses, it will begin to manifest in your outer reality.
But wait, you might wonder, is it truly possible?
Can YOU really do this?
Absolutely, and I’m here to show you how… because I’m also writing a book right now.
Picture this: in only five days, I will complete the first draft of a brand-new short story collection.
Five days may seem like a blink in the larger scheme of things, but they contain the potential for limitless creation.
So, five days and 10 pages daily.
That means 50 pages.
Achievable?
Sure.
Challenging?
Undoubtedly.
But with determination and a touch of magic, anything is possible.
I understand the naysayers among you.
A 50-page volume sounds like a joke.
Not to mention that publishers and critics may prefer thick volumes over tiny ones.
Not even readers will like buying a booklet which might be even more expensive than a 150-page book.
But hey, that 50-pager will be only a FIRST DRAFT.
Together, let’s embark on this enchanting journey of writing the first draft of your book.
Are you ready?
Then let the adventure begin.
Step 2: Choosing a Theme
Every year, there is a list of popular themes. However, some green motifs remain timeless. Like those inspired by the Bible, mythology, and human nature, as Agatha Christie put it.
These themes inspire specific emotions and delve into various facets of human experience.
Whether we choose a traditional or nontraditional topic, one thing is certain: avoid remakes, old items, and, most importantly, outdated modes of expression.
In this sense, today’s writer should write more naturally.
Here are some top trending topics for short stories:
Neurolinguistic programming
NLP-inspired stories can reveal the secrets of the human psyche.
It is about the power of language, thoughts, and behavior in uncovering latent potential and self-discovery.
Create stories that dive deeply into the psyche, bringing readers on an enthralling voyage of introspection.
But first, research the issue.
Love and Relationships
Love stories, whether they be romantic, erotic, platonic, friendly, collegial, familial, or even… obsessive love… remain timeless themes that touch the hearts of readers.
Consider the eight varieties of Greek love: Eros (sexual passion), Philia (deep friendship), and Ludus (playful love). Agape (love for all), Pragma (long-lasting love), Philautia (self-love), Storge (family love), and Mania (obsessive love).
Fantasy and Magic
Short stories centered in magical or imaginative worlds have long been popular.
These stories enable readers to leave reality and immerse themselves in enchanted worlds.
By being married to a fine artist and surrounded by hundreds of unicorns and other fantastic animals, one may say that I am living in Fantasia — and so it is…
Technology and its Impact
With the rapid growth of technology, stories about our increasingly interconnected world, AI, or virtual reality have become popular topics.
For example, some Black Mirror stories are really thought-provoking.
Military Stories
When writing military stories, the tone is personal, introspective, and sensitive.
The purpose of narrative storytelling, descriptive language, and emotional introspection is to convey personal experiences and emotions to the reader.
This reminds me of Nan Constantin Ilie’s novel, An American Story of Love, War, and Revenge.
While reading, I felt a strong connection to the officers fighting in Vietnam.
I truly wanted to be a man, a pilot.
Top Trending Topics (watch the news, then write a story)
Identity and Self-Discovery
Self-exploration and the journey to self-discovery can produce intriguing storylines that readers will connect with.
This subject evokes thoughts of psychology, philosophy, religion, and even the thrill or horror genre.
Most of my stories revolve around this issue, yet it can be challenging and time-consuming to document.
Environmental Concerns
Environmental issues such as climate change, deforestation, and natural resource conservation have received a lot of attention in recent years.
Short stories about these issues can raise awareness and encourage reflection.
Recently, I was seduced by an anti-ecological book, the novel The Art of Kissing or Little Green Russia by Adrian Anghelescu.
Definitely a dystopia, yet a fantastic book with an incredible style. Can’t say much more about it.
Step 3: Choosing a Title
After choosing the title, analyze it with this free resource — Title Analyzer.
Step 4: Planning the Book
So, you have a theme, a title, and the aim of completing the first draft of a book, in five days.
This is achievable if you plan.
Take a pen and make a list of twenty story names (or title suggestions).
One sentence for each narrative.
Please respond to the following questions:
1. Do the stories fit the theme?
2. Does the title correspond, or should it be changed now?
3. What are the book’s subthemes? Make a note of them.
4. Can you write the book’s content? What is the front matter? What about the back matter? (More information in another article.)
5. Is documentation required?
Planning a Short Story. Writing the Plot
1. What is your short story about? (A character/an event/both?)
2. What (secret) problem does the main character have?
3. What sudden event causes the main character’s need to try to solve the (secret) problem?
4. What actions does the main character take as a result?
5. What are the consequences of the actions of the main character?
6. What is the end? (Add a final touch of irony.)
By answering these questions, you will obtain the plot.
Think about the story, improve the plot, and then proceed to the next step.
Step 5: Planning the Short Stories, One by One. Writing the Plot
The First Draft
Plan all stories, then write them one by one. Do it fast, and you might finish the draft in less than five days.
The Second Draft
Allow the text to sit for two weeks to two months.
Read and edit as desired.
Check with Grammarly and make any necessary changes.
Send the draft to a Beta Reader.
The Third Draft
Re-read, edit again, and send the third draft to a Proofreader.
The Midnight Riddle
A Short Story First Draft
Dr. Emma Sinclair looked through the wide expanse of her apartment window and took in the peaceful sight of Bucharest as it sat under silvery moonlight.
Under an ethereal glow, the city had become quiet for the night.
The clock’s hands were ticking closer to midnight when she would usually give herself up to dreams.
She was proud of her strict regimen — early to bed, early to rise.
But on this night, something felt different.
Emma snuggled into her blankets and shut her eyes, hoping for a good sleep.
Nonetheless, minutes melted into eternity but sleep seemed far away.
Her mind was spinning with thoughts going at supersonic speed while a nagging feeling ate at her guts.
A glance at the clock revealed its obstinate hands that were stuck at midnight sharp.
It appears time had stood still thus augmenting the strangeness that enveloped her being.
Throwing her legs off the bed in determination to unearth what had invaded her living space, she was overwhelmed by a crawling fear.
Emma’s tender footsteps echoed along the cold marble floors as she proceeded down a dimly lit corridor.
Strange shadows pranced across walls making their eerie dance more pronounced by an oppressive silence around them.
The air was thick with expectation, and there was some secret inside it.
The heartbeat of this lady became faster as she walked into the living room.
The bookshelf has been disorganized and its belongings thrown awkwardly together.
Such a sight would have shattered everything Emma had in her organized world if it were a note in her sweetly harmonious symphony.
As her favorite books lay scattered on the floor where once they used to properly rest on the shelf, they looked like discarded toys.
It felt like being punched hard in the gut, and for sanctuary’s sake!
Can you imagine such audacity?
Just walking into someone’s home and turning things upside down?
It sounds like something out of a horror movie; I swear!
And what is more sinister?
She was not the only one!
Oh no!
Throughout the country, several sites and houses have suffered from acts of senseless destruction.
These silent intruders seem to be everywhere.
What can motivate them?
Are they petty criminals seeking cheap thrills or something deeper than that?’’
Emma was not easily spooked.
But when your personal space is violated it’s enough to make you lose it completely.
That is why she stood at the center of her living room amidst the havoc with her heart pounding like drums in the battlefield.
As far as each new question sprang up in my head one after another, more disturbing than the previous one — who did this?
Why did they do it?
And most importantly — could they see her right now?
However, don’t fret over Emma.
She is a survivor.
And so, with a resolute gleam in her eye, she began to pick up the pieces, both literally and metaphorically.
The only thing she knew was that she would not allow this invisible enemy to intimidate her.
No way, José!
There was a fire in her eyes, one which seemed to say “Come at me dare you!”
She is not just cleaning up; she is preparing for what comes next.
The game has begun and it’s not for keeps but for winning.
But then things become even more interesting.
As she collects the scattered books, her fingers touch a piece of paper concealed within one of them.
Inquisitively unfolding it — what does she see?
A note.
A word from an invisible foe.
And the note read, “The game has just begun.”
Please, clap, engage, and… stay tuned for the next story…! But, most importantly, a profound thank you to each one of you. Your unwavering support has been invaluable.
Dear Cherished Writers, Followers, and Friends — Making it easier to find your profiles, read, and engage with your stories:
ALEX KIRKLAND , Wesley van Peer , Nurul Huda Jamaluddin, William Dailey Jr , 🌹🌹 The Mantra of Love 🌅🌅 , ❤️ ❤️ Never Give Up Ninja ❤️ ❤️ , Mary Kontouri , Bonnie Cantarutti , FinVagabond , Rachel Ntleki , EB Saenz , Zahier Adams , Alex Irvine , Ismael S Rodriguez Jr (The Bulletproof Poet) , Mark Shaiken – author | retired lawyer | photog , Glenn Brown , Patriot Pen , Cynthia Wylie , Luca Storm , Rosemary Musachio , Chelsea G. 🏆 , Silva Mirovics , Jordan Hardin , Harold De Gauche , Simran Mahal , MuRu , Imkingcash , Chaudhry Writes , yuuenchi , Justiss Goode | F😄M , Roman Newell , Gael MacLean , Richard Mark Williams , Aaron J. Govan , Aysha Ayshu , Royal Alvis , Hannah Andrews , Wendy Christine Allen 🌸💖🦄 aka EelKat 🧿💛🔮👻 , Sam David Parker🌸 , Meng Li , When Stars Misguide Us , Arnaud Revel Goulihi , Carmellita , Dr Paul Anderson , Nikolai Pavlov , José F. Silva , Devika Malik , Amara , Pills for thoughts , M Aslam Waheed , Freia Skogstad , Titus Maxus , Amethystah , 🌬️Mitch ,
Mike Butler , Amy Grech , Steven Barnhart , Andrea Hewitt , Pamela Landolt Green , Mark Rockford Winsor , Dr James Smith , Larry Nowicki , Stephen Dalton , Isabella Solcà , Jack Writes , Winter Green , Alex Crystal , Luke Williams , Eloquent Expressions , A.M. Goode , Alana Beth , Tom Dausy , Luca Storm , Ademi Écori, KGMunro , Baris A , Tjahaja , Chris O. , Timothy Watson , Shana Young , Stella Oni , The Fumbling Generalist , Rose Smith , Linda Courtney , Vadim Dambreville , Tulsi Parmar , Dan J , Douglas Lim , Top Boss , John Martin , Erdal Crane , The Roots , Ram Vadranam , Mine(D)ofClay , Joseph Serwach , Adam BELL. , Blake J Wise , Mila Popovic Géoui , Kerin , Christine A. , Tommy C , Dennis • M.Sc. , London Steinbeck , Madibas DigitalVerse , Tyler Lubben BBA , Jessica Kiragu , Amir Bibi (Ameer) , Lita , Nilufer Ozmekik , Carrie Wexford , gab1930s , Ranjan Baral , Amna Fayyaz , Hamza Shafiq , Hajii Brown , Kashif Bashir , Neftys
Julia Kalman 