Every professional writer knows that [a] period of just-sitting-and-thinking between legwork and outline is the most important part of the whole writing process Rudolph Flesch, Art of Readable Writing
As busy professionals we rarely have time to stop and think. But using your subconscious to create order from the wealth of facts you are bombarded with hourly is critical.
To write effectively, I recommend at least two periods of reflection.
Firstly, once you have determined your who and why for your writing and carried out your research – before creating an outline or structure. Secondly, after you have created your first draft and before you do any editing.
These periods of reflection will vastly improve the effectiveness of your writing:
- no more email tennis (as you decide to use the phone)
- no more fierce one-liners (as you cool down and stop yourself ranting)
- no more vanity publishing (as you focus on who is reading this)
- no more missed opportunities (as you know your purpose in writing)
- no more misunderstandings (as you clarify your content)
- no more random streams of consciousness (as you focus on a structure that makes sense to your reader)
- no more contradictions or ambiguities (as you spot errors through proper editing)
What should you do?
I give you permission to spend work time sitting and thinking. It’s critical to your success when writing!
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