The first million words are the hardest.
I am responsible for helping people write more effectively at work, and so sometimes I get asked "What is your *process* for writing?", and my answer is:
"I can answer that, but you likely won't enjoy the answer or operationalize it, and I think it's probably not important."
"I can answer that, but you likely won't enjoy the answer or operationalize it, and I think it's probably not important."
The right process for you is a process which gets you to write 250k words this year.
It's almost inconceivable to have delta in a process which would make 250k words with Process A less successful than 25k words with Process B, but that level of difference in output is legion.
It's almost inconceivable to have delta in a process which would make 250k words with Process A less successful than 25k words with Process B, but that level of difference in output is legion.
"No really, what is your process."
I mull a topic in my head for between one day and a few weeks, verbalize half-formed thoughts out loud (disturbing passerby and/or my wife), then one day get coffee, write like a man possessed for 6~12 hours, two editing passes, publish.
I mull a topic in my head for between one day and a few weeks, verbalize half-formed thoughts out loud (disturbing passerby and/or my wife), then one day get coffee, write like a man possessed for 6~12 hours, two editing passes, publish.
"What, no, that couldn't possibly..."
Look, I told you you weren't going to like the answer, but this is descriptively accurate for approximately 90% of my written output between 2k and 25k words, including the pieces with the best business results and which I like best.
Look, I told you you weren't going to like the answer, but this is descriptively accurate for approximately 90% of my written output between 2k and 25k words, including the pieces with the best business results and which I like best.
