Have you ever seen someone make pottery? It’s actually quite fascinating. It’s fun to watch them at work, and it’s often breathtaking to see the beautiful pots, vases, bowls, and other works of art they create with their bare hands.

But what comes before the beautiful, finished product? You guessed it—putting a messy lump of clay on the table and getting their hands dirty. The clay is not formed. It’s just a plain, old, unformed lump of clay. But the potter shapes it into something useful and eye-catching.

The same is true for you as a writer. You have to put some clay on the table. You have to start with a messy draft. If you don’t, you won’t have anything to work with. Get that draft done as fast as possible, so you can start working with it.

Remember, the mess always comes before the finished product. Don’t be afraid to get messy. The messy potter’s wheel is where all good writing begins.

Daily Question: Are you willing to get messy with your first draft? Do you think perfectionism sometimes prevents us from moving ahead with our writing?