“Writing is often the process by which you realize that you do not understand what you are talking about.” Shane Parrish
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I find writing therapeutic. It clears the head. It helps me to better understand something.
Words on the screen have a powerful ability to highlight any gaps in my thinking. The fragility of the case is laid bare to all to see when it is put down on paper.
Don’t try bullshit
At my age, when I read a paper that’s full of jargon, this is a sign of poor camouflage to hide a weak position. Plain words tend to illuminate bullshit.
The clearer you can be about any issue the better. A very smart official who I respect is able to make complex things make sense. His sterling career in the Commission is based on it.
Some would suggest it’s a gift. Some may have the gift, I don’t. It’s a skill that can be learned. If I look at my early graduate work the bullshit factor was high. Today, I gag when I read it. Working for politicians on legislation forced me to ditch complexity and opt for simplicity. Politicians hate bullshit.
My process
This week I was asked about my writing process for posts. In case I get asked again, here it is:
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An idea: one idea is all it takes. In your everyday life, you’ll come across interesting ideas. Books are full of them. I like Minto’s Pyramid Principle framework. Sticking to one idea is not easy. Your brain will ask you stray. Resist the urge to stray.
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Outline on paper: the first draft is best done on paper. There is something about the contact of pen on a yellow legal pad that gets the synapses working. I like the Minto Pyramid Principle system.
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Research: there are going to be some points you want to check. Do it now.
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First Draft in Evernote: it’s not going to be pretty. Don’t worry, the main thing is to get words down on the screen. With Evernote, you are not going to lose it.
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Walk away: take a break.
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Butcher: cull what you wrote in Evernote. Have no emotional connection to what you wrote. If it does not fit in, cut it.
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Add images: images help. They help tell the story. Put the text you have now put in a draft WordPress blog.
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Sleep on it
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Format and check with Grammarly
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Edit again
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