In a previous post, I discussed how writing is hard because we get frustrated that the process of writing is so much slower than our process of ideation. However, we often make the process even harder by writing at a slower pace than we are capable.
As a writer, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the blank page. We often focus on crafting the perfect first sentence, spending hours agonizing over every word and phrase. However, this approach can be counterproductive, as it places too much emphasis on the final product without considering the importance of the raw material: words.
In truth, the medium that a writer works with is not ideas or even pen and paper, but words themselves. Without words, a blank sheet of paper is just that: blank. To create something meaningful, we must first supply the words, filling the page with our thoughts, emotions, and ideas.
Of course, this is easier said than done. It’s tempting to get caught up in the minutiae of writing, focusing on perfecting every sentence and phrase before moving on to the next. However, this approach can quickly become overwhelming and hinder the creative process.
Instead, I recommend adopting a more fluid and organic approach to writing. Write quickly and without judgment, allowing your thoughts to flow freely onto the page. Don’t worry about repetition, inconsistencies, or uneven flow – just get the words out.
Once you’ve written for as long as you can, set your work aside for a day or two. When you return to it, you’ll likely find that it’s far from perfect. But that’s okay. You now have raw material to work with – words that you can shape, rearrange, and refine until they become something greater than the sum of their parts.
Remember, writing is a two-step process: first, you create the raw material; second, you revise and refine it. Don’t worry about crafting the perfect first draft – just get the words out. The process of revision will be much easier and more effective once you have a solid foundation to build on.
Image is used under terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
Original image is by izzyplante and can be found here.
The image has been modified from the original to: (1) extract the foreground person, (2) blur the paper and writing, (3) add copyright mark, and (4) resized.
hi
Hi. I guess writing succinct pieces counts as writing quickly 😉
Very nice article. Never thought of writing that way!
Thanks for the comment.
It is not an obvious way to write. When we write, we want everything to come out perfectly and so we end up torturing ourselves writing a few words before throwing up our hands in frustration or finding something else that needs more urgent attention.
The whole idea is to just dump your ideas on the page – create your raw material – and then massage it into shape.
THe other problem is that writing and speaking seem so very similar and related – after all, we use the same words and structure. But … if you were to transcribe a normal conversation, you would find it is horrible writing. Conversely, good writing both (1) reads well and (2) is spoken well. One of the tips to see how your writing is, is to read it out loud. If it doesn’t sound good, then it is not good writing.