Writing Doesn’t Have to be Linear
English was my least favorite subject throughout school. Probably because it was my worst subject. I really struggled with writing (I still do). For a while, I didn’t care to put in the time to get better because I felt Math and Science were much more important.
Then one day I heard someone describe writing as nothing more than thinking, which completely changed my perspective.
The funny part is, I always thought I was a good thinker. My mind loves to think and noodle on topics. The problem was I couldn’t communicate these thoughts to others. All these half-baked thoughts in my head were just that, half-baked. Communicating in a way that can be understood by others is how half-baked thoughts become fully baked.
I end up writing most my blog posts because I have these thoughts brewing in my head, and I need to get them out for my sanity. In many ways, writing is therapeutic for me.
When I started taking writing more seriously, I found I struggled the most with blank page syndrome. This stemmed from me thinking writing always had to be done left to right, introduction to conclusion. Then, in one of my college writing classes, I was introduced to this concept of a “rough rough first draft”. This is the draft that only you see. In this draft, you can do whatever you want.
I tried researching this concept of a “rough rough” first draft and I believe the more common phrase for this type of draft is Shifty First Drafts
When I write my rough rough first draft,I couldn’t care less about writing left to right, introduction to conclusion, or even grammar for that matter. I just write whatever is on my mind. Sometimes I will write the same thing phrased three different ways. I will write one paragraph not knowing where it will end up. In many ways I feel like Hal, from Malcolm In The Middle, slapping paint on a canvas just to see what sticks.
When I get done writing everything I read it over. At this point it’s much more like fitting puzzle pieces together than it is writing. Now puzzles are something I can get behind.
So if writing is something you struggled with because you felt it has to be this very linear process, use this as a friendly reminder that it doesn’t have to be. Don’t be afraid to write that rough rough first draft. If you are still having a hard time writing anything, write about why you’re struggling!