Is writing three drafts really necessary?

Question

So I understand the first draft which is basically writing whatever comes to mind but I don't understand why we have to rewrite it three times. Can someone please explain to me? What exactly do we have to do in the second and third draft of the story?

Answer 1

I don't count and couldn't tell you how many **drafts** I had for my first novel. I only know it needed a lot of work from start to finish, and that hiring an editor was invaluable! I mix it up and work on it digitally, then print it out at Staples or Office Max and find a quiet, new environment to read it through. It's not a science where 3 is the magic number; just know that there will be more work than you think but the rewards will be great when your work is polished and ready for prime time!

Answer 2

The idea here is to edit and fine tune. 3 drafts isn't always necessary and sometimes more than 3 drafts is necessary. It really depends on what you are writing about and how well you think you have expressed your ideas. You are correct about the first draft. It is all about getting your ideas on paper. The second draft is really focusing on organizing your ideas and trying to find a flow you are comfortable with. This is where more of the planning comes into play. The 3rd draft is where you are going to write your 'mock' final draft. This is where you want to pretend this is you final work. You want to make it as well written as you can and make sure you've included all of the details you wanted to include. Each draft is supposed to help you improve your writing bit by bit in order for you to produce your best work in the end. I hope this has helped and I wish you the best of luck. If you need any further assistance please feel free to send me a message!