Here is some advice about
writing for publication.
1. Phase one: Inspiration strikes . . . write like crazy. Write everything. Don't
stop. Don't edit. Just let it flow . . . every idea that shows
up. Keep writing during this phase when
there isn't real inspiration. Write badly. Write your confusion. Write your doubts about your writing, if need
be. Keep writing on your topic until it feels like you've said what needs
saying.
2. Phase two: Stop writing and read what you've
written several times. Notice what is good, what is useful. Notice when you repeat yourself without a
clear purpose. (My first editor told me, wisely: “When you repeat yourself and go on and on
you insult the reader. Teachers may need to repeat themselves. Good writers say it once . . . well.” )
3. Phase three: EDIT. Editing means making it better. Cut, cut, cut
. . . even favorite paragraphs if they are redundant or fuzzy. Rewrite
sentences that are awkward. Aim for the highest clarity and simplicity.
Don't try and show off your writing skills using jargon. Check to
see if you repeat a word within a paragraph or nearby. Always vary word choice in proximity.
E.g. "Normally we like to see the temperature within
the normal range." or "When trying to relax,
be sure to relax all of the muscles in your arm." This kind
of sloppy writing is often present in your first fast draft. ALL writers
do this. But, they fix it in the editing phase.
4. Phase four: Read what you've written as if you were a smart reader
who doesn't know your topic
5. Phase five: Edit some more. Rewrite. Make it clearer. Get rid of anything that isn't directly to
your purpose. Be ruthless. Add only if it is essential to the edit.
Most new writers probably never realize that more than half
of writing is done in phases 2-5. But what you may not know is that this
work is often really satisfying and sometimes FUN! You get to sit down
at your computer to improve something that already exists. You get to
find a better word to say what you mean.
You get to throw out extra stuff that wastes peoples time. You get to be a WRITER.
