A lot of people ask me about my actual writing process, so I figured I should share some of my practices, and make them into blog posts. I’m lucky that, as I write this blog post, I have a full day available to write (no meetings).
The first element of my writing practice is the pre-writing stage.
I am a person of rituals and routines.
First, I brew a pot of coffee. My first cup of coffee is very important as it’s what sets the tone for the day. I take a few minutes to just be with myself and have my coffee.
I am a Virgo, Type A, Upholder. I need routines and organization. The next step in my daily writing practice is what many call the Pre-Writing Stage.
I am not the kind of person who does “stream of consciousness” writing. I need to read first to get my thinking juices flowing. A number of people who write about writing recommend doing “Morning Pages”. This is a method developed by writer Julia Cameron. Three pages, stream-of-consciousness. This method is very helpful if you are feeling VERY stuck. I will be very honest and say that I don’t use it often.
Personally, I write by memorandums and using outlines. What does this mean, in practice? Well, I don’t write entire papers. I don’t even write entire sections.
I write memos.
The key, however, is to write EFFECTIVE memos. Memos that you’ll use. Memos that you can copy-and-paste into your papers.
In this particular blog post, however, I want to emphasize the Pre-Writing Stage, because I find that not having a routine that helps me focus completely hinders my ability to generate words. My Pre-Writing Stage includes drinking a cup of coffee, centering myself, but also READING.
I need to read in order to get my brain in order to write. I can’t just blurt words out.
What does my Pre-Writing Routine entail?
Pre-Writing in my case ALWAYS implies at least 4 things:
- Look over at my list of writing commitments (and prioritize what I need to write first. Deadlines are great for this!)
- Check which memos I’ve written and which ones need to be written.
- Read about the topic.
- Review which particular memo I need to write based on the paper outline I’ve generated.
For example, right now I’m writing about how research questions fit with other components of the research design process. So I re-read a few materials I’ve read about this specific topic, from articles to books.
I find that sometimes, people think that reading is NOT part of their writing practice, and that the time they spend reading BEFORE starting to write is somehow a waste of time.
For me, reading and often times, re-reading is what gives me the brain fuel to start writing. READING IS WRITING. There’s no way around it. If you want to write, you need to read.
Though sometimes I can, in fact, sit down and start producing words, I find that doing a bit of re-reading and THEN sketching on paper what I’m going to write about and how I’m going to do it helps me. I usually sketch and draft on index cards, this helps me think through ideas.
As you can see from the photo above, I developed 4 Guiding Questions that will help me start writing. I classify Guiding Questions as part of the “Prompts” category.
Writing Prompts, as their name suggest, are elements that help you get started, that set actions in motion.
Because I am writing about Research Questions, the 4 Guiding Questions that will act as prompts for me are:
- what is a research question?
- what elements or characteristics would make a research question “good”?
- what are the different types and typologies of RQs?
- how are research questions linked to other elements of research design?
I usually generate ONE memorandum per prompt. This breakdown of the work allows me to feel less overwhelmed.
I don’t think to hit 2,000 words. I just need to answer ONE Guiding Question.
To summarize my Pre-Writing Routine:
- Writing, most often than not, may require a Pre-Writing Routine. Mine includes reading, planning, organizing my thoughts and drinking coffee.
- A Pre-Writing Routine that includes reading and sketching your thoughts may be helpful to you as you develop your writing practice. Make the best of outlines.
- You don’t have to write 5,000 words per day. All you need to worry about is just a few words, a few minutes. ONE Memorandum.
I hope this blog post is useful to you as you develop your writing practice.
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