WRITE A FIRST DRAFT THAT READS LIKE A THIRD DRAFT
(& WAS ACTUALLY FUN TO WRITE!)
Hi there,
I'm writing coach Kevin T. Johns, and here’s the deal with my FIRST DRAFT program...
Completing the first draft of your book just might be the most difficult part of the entire journey to publication.
Emotional challenges, energy issues, loss of enthusiasm, or lack of productivity can easily send the creation of a first draft way off course.
Plus, there’s undoubtedly micro-level writer’s craft details, techniques, and formulas you’re not yet executing in your scene-to-scene writing.
That exactly why I created the FIRST DRAFT group coaching program, and I want you to be part of it.
The outcome of the program is simple... finish a first draft of your manuscript (in six months or less) that reads like a third draft and that was actually FUN to write.
FIRST DRAFT solves the three biggest problems that get in the way of successfully completing a fun and focused first draft.
First, we'll stop you from worrying about the wrong things during the drafting process, and instead focus on the actions and strategies that lead to drafting momentum and writing productivity.
- We'll establish project milestones, reasonable timelines, and word count tracking systems.
- Next, you’ll join a private writer community that holds each other accountable throughout the drafting process. (A formal accountability mechanism is absolutely VITAL for most writers’ success.)
- Finally, we’ll use ongoing coaching and group learning to keep you laser focused on what really matters during the first draft of your book.
The result? Rather than going off-track, hitting blocks, being sucked into what I call the “revisions maelstrom,” or getting distracted from your manuscript, you will make steady and continuous progress towards the completion of your first draft.
You'll Turn Constant Distractions into Focused Progress on Your Book
The second problem we'll solve together is the micro-level skillset gap.
When it comes to drafting scenes, there's a whole slew of micro-level writer’s craft skills and techniques you’re probably not aware of yet or cannot yet effectively implement on regularly even if you are aware of them.
We'll combat this skill gap so you’re continuing to develop your writer’s craft skills while simultaneously making massive progress on your manuscript.
- First, we'll build-up your writer’s craft skillset with 20 mini-training courses focused on drafting techniques, productivity strategies, and micro-level writer’s craft fundamentals.
- Then we'll have weekly hotseat sessions where I will review pages submitted by volunteers in the group and then walk everyone through what is working in the scene and where it can be improved.
- Finally, we’ll continue to use our group forum to share and recommend resources such as videos, books, and templates – including items I will share from my vast personal collection of writer’s craft resources – to support your growth and continuing education as an author.
You’ll learn how to implement the skillsets necessary for drafting success from one scene to the next.
You'll Fill Your Skillset Gaps with Writer's Craft Skill Development
The third problem we will tackle is the emotional rollercoaster ride of writing a first draft.
Writing a first draft isn’t easy, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be FUN.
Too many writers start out strong, make it a quarter of the way through their manuscript (or even halfway through!) and then hit a wall where they lose interest and enthusiasm. They start to second guess their story, their approach, even their skills as an author.
We will take that emotional rollercoaster ride and turn it into an emotionally fun and intellectually stimulating experience.
- First, you’ll receive ongoing feedback from me throughout the drafting process regarding where and how you can improve your scene-by-scene writing via weekly group Question-and-Answer office hours calls.
- Next, you will be matched with a new positivity partner each week who will read your pages and provide you with ONLY positive feedback. (This is an incredibly powerful technique, and it will blow you away just how effective it is in keeping you excited about your work.)
- Finally, by drafting the book as part of a group program, you'll be able to benefit from the support and community atmosphere that can only be found amongst other artists going through the exact same process and encountering the same challenges as you.
We all have ups and downs while drafting a book, but the FIRST DRAFT program will ensure that, when you reach a low point, you’ll have a community of like-minded authors and an experienced writing coach to pull you through the self-doubt and get you back on top of your writing game.
You'll Find Fun and Friendship with a Community of Supportive Writers
This is not a sprint to the finish.
This is not about all-nighters or a mad scramble to complete a first draft.
FIRST DRAFT is a reasonably-paced program that will keep you on course to achieving your goals without leaving you feeling stressed or pressured.
If you finish your manuscript in less than six months, great!
But after almost a decade of working with writers (many of them first-time authors), I can assure you that six months is a reasonable timeline to get done the work you need to get done while also taking care of your family, completing your day job, and participating in all the other activities in your life.
FIRST DRAFT is up and running right now . . . and I want YOU to join us.
Here's how it works . . .
Each Tuesday at 7:00 pm Eastern, we’ll meet for a Question-and-Answer office hours session where you’ll be able to ask me, as well as a group of supportive writers, any questions you want about the writing process or your book in particular.
Then we will meet again for a hotseat session on Thursday 7:00 pm Eastern. In this session, I will go over pages submitted by a member of the program and break down in detail what is working as well as where and how it can be improved.
(NOTE: This is the exact process I go through with my $1000 a month one-on-one clients to get their books drafted and publication-ready.)
You'll also continue to connect with the other program participants in our private online community where you will be able to communicate with each other, and with me, throughout the week.
In addition, you'll get instant access to the FIRST DRAFT training library, featuring 20 mini-courses covering productivity techniques, approaches to scene structure, methods for developing opening pages agents love, how to write an unforgettable ending, and much more.
(Each of these courses comes with a one-page sketch note featuring images and key points to help you easily remember, revisit, and implement the course content.)
When you join you get . . .
Weekly Q&A Group Coaching Sessions
Weekly Group Hotseat Sessions
Weekly Positivity Partner Exchange
Private Community of Supportive Writers
20 Writer's Craft Training Courses
20 Writer's Craft Sketch Notes
Access to a Top Writing Coach
Additional Tools, Templates, & Bonuses
First Draft changed my life. It changed the way I write, and how I approach my writing. I learned new habits through accountability to my fellow writers, and new skills from Kevin’s teaching and editing. The biggest bonus is how much fun it is on our weekly calls. I’ve made new friendships and at the same time completed a 60,000+ word first draft in under 4 months. Highly recommend!
Sandy Day, author www.sandyday.ca
Working with Kevin and going through the First Draft program was hugely beneficial. The materials, community, and accountability greatly accelerated my writing process.
Phillip Wray, author www.phllipwray.com
I’d love to work with you to complete a first draft in six-months (or less) that reads like a third draft and that was fun to write.
JOIN NOW!
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the office hours calls?
Tuesdays at 7:00 pm Eastern and Thursdays at 7:00 pm Eastern.
How long are the coaching calls?
1 hour.
What platform are the calls hosted on?
The calls are video conference calls hosted on Zoom.
If I choose the monthly payment option, am I locked in for six-months?
No, you can end your monthly payments at any time.
How much time should I dedicate to the program each week?
I recommend booking at least four hours a week to account for coaching calls, training courses, and work on your manuscript.
Is the private community a Facebook group?
No, the private community uses Slack software to keep the group away from the distractions of social media.
What are your qualifications to coach this program?
I have a master's degree in English literature. I have published fiction books (young adult, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and thriller), non-fiction (leadership and business), writing instructional books, and children's picture books. I have been coaching writers for nearly a decade and have worked with hundreds of writers via workshops, courses, group programs, and one-on-one coaching.
How long are the writer's craft courses included with the program?
Most are about 30 minutes in length.