The value and importance of the pre-writing stage of writing

A lot of people ask me about my actual writing process, so I figured I should share some of my practices, and make them into blog posts. I’m lucky that, as I write this blog post, I have a full day available to write (no meetings).

The first element of my writing practice is the pre-writing stage.

I am a person of rituals and routines.

First, I brew a pot of coffee. My first cup of coffee is very important as it’s what sets the tone for the day. I take a few minutes to just be with myself and have my coffee.

I am a Virgo, Type A, Upholder. I need routines and organization. The next step in my daily writing practice is what many call the Pre-Writing Stage.

I am not the kind of person who does “stream of consciousness” writing. I need to read first to get my thinking juices flowing. A number of people who write about writing recommend doing “Morning Pages”. This is a method developed by writer Julia Cameron. Three pages, stream-of-consciousness. This method is very helpful if you are feeling VERY stuck. I will be very honest and say that I don’t use it often.

Personally, I write by memorandums and using outlines. What does this mean, in practice? Well, I don’t write entire papers. I don’t even write entire sections.

I write memos.

The key, however, is to write EFFECTIVE memos. Memos that you’ll use. Memos that you can copy-and-paste into your papers.

In this particular blog post, however, I want to emphasize the Pre-Writing Stage, because I find that not having a routine that helps me focus completely hinders my ability to generate words. My Pre-Writing Stage includes drinking a cup of coffee, centering myself, but also READING.

I need to read in order to get my brain in order to write. I can’t just blurt words out.

What does my Pre-Writing Routine entail?

Pre-Writing in my case ALWAYS implies at least 4 things:

1. Look over at my list of writing commitments (and prioritize what I need to write first. Deadlines are great for this!)
2. Check which memos I’ve written and which ones need to be written.
3. Read about the topic.
4. Review which particular memo I need to write based on the paper outline I’ve generated.

For example, right now I’m writing about how research questions fit with other components of the research design process. So I re-read a few materials I’ve read about this specific topic, from articles to books.

I find that sometimes, people think that reading is NOT part of their writing practice, and that the time they spend reading BEFORE starting to write is somehow a waste of time.

For me, reading and often times, re-reading is what gives me the brain fuel to start writing. READING IS WRITING. There’s no way around it. If you want to write, you need to read.

Though sometimes I can, in fact, sit down and start producing words, I find that doing a bit of re-reading and THEN sketching on paper what I’m going to write about and how I’m going to do it helps me. I usually sketch and draft on index cards, this helps me think through ideas.

As you can see from the photo above, I developed 4 Guiding Questions that will help me start writing. I classify Guiding Questions as part of the “Prompts” category.

Writing Prompts, as their name suggest, are elements that help you get started, that set actions in motion.

Because I am writing about Research Questions, the 4 Guiding Questions that will act as prompts for me are:

• what is a research question?
• what elements or characteristics would make a research question “good”?
• what are the different types and typologies of RQs?
• how are research questions linked to other elements of research design?

I usually generate ONE memorandum per prompt. This breakdown of the work allows me to feel less overwhelmed.

I don’t think to hit 2,000 words. I just need to answer ONE Guiding Question.

To summarize my Pre-Writing Routine:

1. Writing, most often than not, may require a Pre-Writing Routine. Mine includes reading, planning, organizing my thoughts and drinking coffee.
2. A Pre-Writing Routine that includes reading and sketching your thoughts may be helpful to you as you develop your writing practice. Make the best of outlines.
3. You don’t have to write 5,000 words per day. All you need to worry about is just a few words, a few minutes. ONE Memorandum.

I hope this blog post is useful to you as you develop your writing practice.

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