Can I select recipients first and then write the email/SMS text?

You can select the recipients first, or write the email or SMS text first and then choose recipients.

Choose recipients first

If you choose the recipients first, once you have selected them, click on Choose Action:  Email/SMS dropdown.  Click on Create new draft

Create new draft - click to enlarge

If you write the text first, when you have selected the recipients, click on Choose Action:  Email/SMS dropdown.  Click on the draft that you have created.

Add to draft - click to enlarge