Contrary to popular belief, writing is as simple as ABC. It does not involve knowing the best or most intellectually sounding vocabulary in the world and compiling it in the best way possible. There is always only one goal in writing, for your readers to understand the exact message and emotion you are trying to convey almost exactly as you intend it. “Almost” because language is versatile and unique. People read and speak differently based on their experiences and these experiences shape how they absorb and comprehend any information they receive. So write, just as rawly and plainly as possible.
Throw everything out
In no particular order, whenever an idea occurs just write it out. Do not under any circumstance believe that you could wait until the end of a sentence and still remember the idea you waited to write out. It will disappear just as quickly as it appeared and will be your greatest regret.
Do not wipe out anything until you are completely finished. The fact that a thought has been developed or looks bad on paper does not equate its uselessness. If it is not applicable to that particular work you’re developing, add it to the pile of ideas in your brain chair (and trusted notebook of ideas of course).
You never know how good or useful an idea could be unless it is developed. Even a bad idea, could morph into something you would be proud of. The whole point is not to instantly think of good ideas and roll with it, but to be creative enough to be inspired by even the most awful or mundane to create a masterpiece.
Edit as you go
In the heat of the moment, you notice things, and find new ways to structure ideas or thoughts. Do it. Do not wait until you’re completely done writing to edit. It will slow you down, you would be complacent enough to think that there is nothing to fix and you will miss an opportunity to improve your work in real time which goes a long way in inspiring the beautiful ending that will be.
Whether you’re working on an article for publication (like this), an LPM(Live Presenter Mentions) or billboard copy, edit as you go. That way, even when fatigue hits and you’re not patient enough to proofread, you can trust that your best is still being delivered with little to no minor spelling mistakes, improper sentence structure or ambiguity. Your work will be as clear as ever like the moment it formed in your mind.
It drastically reduces the amount of “oh I wanted to include this in editing,” and “I was too tired to edit” and “this is not what I meant” when someone else edits your work. Instead, you will know that the final product you have is an almost perfect version of the ideas, thoughts and emotions you intended on conveying.
Proofread like it’s someone else’s
The thing about writing is, on some level, there will always be complacency with your work (even though we all low-key think we dedicate our best selves to our most intimate work) but with someone else’s, you see the gaps in their thoughts and almost think that you could have done a better job (and you actually might). Which is the whole point. To go through your work seeing the gaps that a different version of you wrote, thinking you can do better and actually creating better.
The feedback you give others will always come in handy at some point. So when you proofread like it is not yours, you can apply the feedback without any animosity, knowing that it comes from a place of honesty and a desire to improve your skills or sometimes fear which is fine too.
Now go out into the world, write like there is no tomorrow and create like never before!