Tech writer Andy Ihnatko has an excellent post up this week on writer’s block. Or, more accurately, on the fact that it doesn’t really exist.
No magic solutions or quick tricks here. Andy is just calling BS on the phenomenon. And I think he is right.
If you put “writer’s block” into your browser’s search bar get back a save distance from your screen. It’s liable to explode. Everything from 10,000 word essays on the condition to kits you can purchase to overcome it. Funny, there seems to be no writer’s block when it comes to writing about writer’s block.
As a lawyer, I spend a good deal of time writing… or at least trying to write. And yes, sometimes the words don’t come easily. But this isn’t a block. This is usually an indication that I would rather be doing something else. Funny how we never seem to get blocked when we are doing something we want to be doing. I’ve never been blocked when playing with my kids or while golfing, etc. Guess I’ve just been lucky.
The fact of the matter is that writing is hard. Professional writing (as opposed to fiction) has its own set of challenges. If you just sit down and try to write from scratch professional writing can be pretty near impossible sometimes. Writing a good book, brief, or article (as opposed to this one) takes research and ususally a fair amount of outlining.
I’ve seen young lawyers sit down to write a brief by opening up a blank word processor screen and typing “Introduction” and then trying to write the thing. This is a very bad idea.
Here is my work-flow for writing a legal brief, motion, etc. First I start by reviewing the raw materials I have to work with. You may find that you need additional legal research to gather or evidentiary documents to review. Get all of your materials together, preferably on your desk. You want to minimize distractions and having to go off in search of that certain document or transcript is a big one. Turn off your email and, if you have one, tell your assistant to protect you from the outside world for a while. This is a very important step because, remember, writer’s block isn’t real - it’s just your brain looking for something better to do.
Next I start to mindmap out my outline. I never used to mindmap and frankly can’t recommend it unless you have either (1) a giant whiteboard in your office or (2) an iPad with a good MindMapping software application on it. I now have and use both all the time. The great thing about mindmapping software is that with a touch of a button, I can convert my visual mindmap to an outline in OmniOutliner (or any other outlining app that support OPML formatting).
Having a good outline is really essential for quality professional writing. If you think you are one of those amazing people that can do great work without an good outline you are probably wrong. A good outline is also your most potent weapon against writer’s block. In a very real way it has reduced your large writing project to a fill-in-the-blanks exercise. Believe me, it is much easier to write when you are not concerning yourself with the overall structure of the final product at the same time you are trying to write text.
The outline also combats writer’s block by allowing you to jump from section to section in your final product without getting that feeling that you are being completely incoherent. Having a little trouble writing the section you are working on? Stop immediately and jump to a different section. Never waste time staring at the wall and wishing for the words to simply fall into your head. They won’t. Instead, jump to another section that seems easier at the moment and work on that for a while. Come back to the section giving you trouble later. Usually the hard parts are not so hard after you have written everything else.
So, in a nutshell here are my tips:
- Start your project as early as possible.
- Do your research and don’t try to write cold.
- Mindmap and outline your project.
- Eliminate or minimize distractions.
- Draft your document in a fill-in-the-blank manner.
- Never stay on an area you are having trouble with very long.
Good luck and happy writing.
