#258: The First Read of Your First Draft: What to Look For and What to Ignore Artwork

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Writer Unleashed

#258: The First Read of Your First Draft: What to Look For and What to Ignore

November 25, 2025 • Nanci Panuccio • Season 6

Your first read-through of a first draft can feel like stepping into unknown territory. You’re excited to see what you made, but you’re also bracing for the messy parts you know are coming. In this episode, I walk you through exactly how to handle that first pass without falling into editing mode or judging every page.

You’ll learn what actually matters at this stage, what to ignore for now, how to take clear notes without derailing your momentum, and how to figure out the story you truly wrote. By the end, you’ll have a simple plan that makes this first read-through honest, grounded, and a lot less overwhelming.

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