I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that nine-tenths of what I write is rubbish. I don’t mean on this blog because what you see here are finished posts, hacked from the raw rock-face of thought, messed around a bit, buried in soft peat etc etc, honed and polished, sanded and rubbed and sent out to seek their fortune in the world. More on this later. But much of what I write as a first draft is pure unadulterated junk, mostly because I’ve set myself a word limit and I’m trying to reach it. This however does not make it worthless.
Why not? Well, firstly because it’s something instead of nothing. Where previously nothing existed, I have created something, even if it’s only a flat thing like Kipper’s cake (obscure children’s book reference only family members will understand.) And Something can be worked with and improved upon, even if most of it is ultimately deleted. Secondly, there may be some gems in the rubbish, which is why it’s always a good idea not to delete anything while writing the first draft, no matter how bad it seems. When you’re writing a story (this goes double for poems) you have intentions about it. But the story (or poem) has intentions too, and often these come out when we’re not watching. So don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
For example, I once wrote a dialogue between Father Christmas and Jack and Jill. They were talking in the snow and Father Christmas took off his jolly red suit to reveal a convict uniform with arrows on. He was supposed to be giving Jack and Jill their presents and only gave them snow and ice so they weren’t very happy. It’s a short scene and when I wrote this I had no idea what it meant. I still have no idea what it means, yet a little voice tells me that it has some significance and so I hold on to it.
This blog is nearly at 500 followers. I realise that’s tiny in blog terms but I’m just pleased it’s still growing – so remember, my 500th follower will get the choice of either writing a guest blog post or receiving an e-book of poetry.
Keep it up.
Kirk out
Sarada Gray 
Nearly 500, eh? Now that is definitely worth celebrating! And I can so relate to the messy process of writing. The vast majority of what I put to paper (or the screen) really isn’t all that and a bag of potato crisps, but I keep writing in the hope that I’ll get to that magical pinnacle of perfection that I desperately crave. I think you’re closer to that peak than I am, so I implore you to keep climbing. And now that I’ve mixed tortured metaphors, I shall let myself out… (Bumps into door.) 😛
Aw thanks Tony much appreciate
Nothing wrong with writing rubbish. That’s why there’s editing!
Indeed
Did Jack and Jill receive the ice and snow from Father Christmas before or after they had fetched the pail of water? Because if it was just after I’m pretty sure I’d be disappointed too.
LOL! The pail of water did not figure in this scenario