Author Gloria Chao is your Camp Counselor this week. Find all Camp Care Packages in Breaking News throughout the month of July, or learn more about Camp NaNoWriMo!

Everyone’s first draft is rough. Some people like to edit as they write, some people like to get that first bad draft out and go back and edit later. There’s no “right” way to write. Do whatever feels best for you. Perhaps try working on whatever section you’re most excited about at the moment—I’ve found that it leads to my best writing, and it’s too hard to focus on something else when you’re distracted by a different scene.

Today's Writing Dare

Close your eyes and picture your story. Which scene jumps to the top of your thoughts? Set a timer for 15 minutes (or more!) and spend it all writing that scene. 

What's up at Camp?

• On YouTube: Learn how to add suspense to any type of story. 
  
  
• On the blog: Search the tag "writing prompts" to explore our whole collection. Here's an old fave: 51 Questions You've (Probably) Never Asked Your Characters.
  
  
• Check out the Camp NaNoWriMo Calendar to stay up to date on what's happening, including Virtual Write-Ins every Monday at 1 P.M. Pacific!
  
  

Gloria Chao is an MIT grad turned dentist turned writer. She currently lives in Chicago with her ever-supportive husband, for whom she became a nine-hole golfer (sometimes seven). She was once a black belt in kung-fu and a competitive dancer, but that side of her was drilled and suctioned out. American Panda is her debut novel, and Misaligned is forthcoming fall 2019. Visit her tea-and-book-filled world at gloriachao.wordpress.com and find her on Twitter and Instagram @gloriacchao.