Writing happens in three layers

Writing happens in three layers

One of the biggest misconceptions about writing is that it’s easy to — or you should — write in one layer. Lemme explain.

Most of my students sit down and expect themselves to Write. Like, a final draft, official-like Writing. Then, of course, they get writer’s block, or frustrated, or take hours and hours but never get to the point. (And by ‘students,’ I also mean ‘me.’)

We’ll get into this next week (and check out the blog post about Pre-Writing), but hey, we’re here, so here are the three layers:

1. You need to think through what you want to say.

2. You need to turn those thoughts into words.

3. And then — and only then — do we need to make those words sound good.

   Here that is again, shortened, with a three-layer gooey, messy chocolate cake added for emphasis:

1. Think

2. Write

3. Edit

It sounds so straightforward when we spell it out like that, right? But when’s the last time you’ve written in three layers? It feels like it takes so much more time, but I fully believe over 50% — and sometimes as much as 80% — of writing happens in layer one. That might look like brainstorming or outlining, or even procrastinating or marinating, but it’s where most of the good stuff is happening.

The next time you’re writing, think before you write. There are all sorts of very personalized, individual ways to do this (I literally teach classes on this very thing), but have mercy on your writing self and don’t expect yourself to Write before you write.