One of the most important lessons we can ever learn as writers is that good writing happens in stages. Whenever you read a great book chapter, blog post, screenplay, or speech, you can be certain it did not begin that way.

It was most likely outlined, drafted, revised, and edited, probably several times, before it took its final shape. This is the way almost all good writing, as well as all good art, is created.

Take the Beatles, for example. In the years since the Beatles made their original recordings in the 1960s, there have been lots of behind-the-scenes albums released that show how their songs progressed in stages.

The 2018 re-release of The White Album included the legendary Esher Demos, which were recorded at George Harrison’s house in Esher, about a half hour’s drive southwest of London.

During these sessions, the Beatles recorded an early version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” It’s quite a bit faster and much more stripped down than the final version that was included on the album. But through the process of rewriting, arranging, and perfecting the song over time, it eventually became something truly majestic.

This is a pattern all great creatives seem to follow. The great William Faulkner spoke the truth when he said, “Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good.”

We’d be hard-pressed to say any of the Beatles’ early demos were bad, but they were definitely improved by the continual process of revision. The same process holds true for all artists, including writers. The first version is not the final version. You’ve got to just get down a first draft and then keep working on it from there.

It has been said that 10% of good writing is inspiration, while 90% is perspiration. That sounds about right. Just get the words down and keep working at it. You’ll get better and faster over time.

If you want to be good, you have to first be willing to be bad.