Writing Tip #3 – Process

My third writing tip is to find a process for writing that works for you.  This is the process I use, and it makes a good starting point for you to develop your own process.

  • Get your ideas and thoughts down using a mind map.  It will allow you to group themes and identify links between them.
  • Write freely and with abandon using your mind map as a guide.  It might feel like a bit of a scattergun approach, but it gets your ideas and thoughts out of your head and onto the page.
  • Edit, edit, edit, shaping the order and flow of your arguments.  Repeating this part of the process will gradually refine your arguments and improve clarity.
  • Review what you have written, considering the audience and purpose you identified.  It’s ideal if you can do this the following day so you come to it fresh when you are more likely to spot inconsistencies or missing information.