Writing can feel like a never-ending existential exercise in structuring new ideas or revelations—here are five places to start the writing process.
As an academic, I structure my life around periodical induced timelines. Timelines to publish, track, document, maintain, organize, and offer as proof. Proof as evidence of effectiveness. Effectiveness that demands polished presentation. Presentation understood, accepted, and cataloged — a signal of finality.
But, as a designer, I prefer to be iterative. I prefer building, making, responding, and thinking. I leave space for failure, refinement, feedback, editing, serendipity, and the unexpected. I let the process unfold toward the desired outcome. This is why I struggle to write — process and finality oppose one another.
So, logically, I need a writing process. I need systems and structures. I need functional activities that motivate content production. I need production broken down into manageable tasks. I need manageable tasks that promote sustainable activity. Yet, processes and activity only matter if there is a desired outcome. And, to have an outcome, there needs to be a place to start. Here are five places to start:
Taking these steps will put words on the page — this is the desired outcome. This will remove the pressure of finality. The first step will not be perfect, yet there will be valuable knowledge produced. Knowledge that someone needs. A knowledgeable contribution and that is enough.
Great. Sounds easy. I can do that.
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