There’s nothing like the virtual ink scent of a completed first draft. Sure, some would argue that words on a screen do not actually use ink. Others would argue that the scent is all in one’s imagination. Still others would argue that the first draft existed in the author’s mind before it landed on the screen, so my entire statement is inaccurate. Some would also point out that these arguments live exclusively in my imagination and I should do something useful instead. After a while, I back out of the room, lock the door, and let them all argue with one another.

I like finishing that first draft. Once it’s done, the story exists outside of my head. Let’s face it, the amount of real estate in there is limited. Some would argue that there’s still work to be done, but I prefer to bask in the moment before wondering how they figured out how to open that lock.

I’ve found that eating grapes tends to silence some of these irritating voices. Oh, they’re still annoying, but I’m not paying attention. I’m partial to the red ones. Grapes, I mean.

Where was I? Oh, yes. The finished draft. One of the reasons I enjoy writing is creating stories that I want to read. As eager as I am to kick back and read it now, I know that I need to give it a little time. As soon as I get started, I’ll start seeing things to fix. That’s an invitation for all of the critics to sound off on all the things they despise about my stories, imagination, and life choices. (Note to self: invest in a much stronger imaginary lock…) If I wait a little while before starting the editing process, I can sometimes lull some of the little monsters into complacency. If they get too uppity, I’ve got more grapes.

The other thing I enjoy about the draft is looking forward to the day when it grows up, becomes a book, and then goes out into the world. Just knowing that these characters that used to live exclusively in my head could soon live in someone else’s skull is exciting. It also makes me ponder whether doing so is infecting another person’s brain, but that’s another story.