I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up . . .

I loved Jason's last entry on Raymond Carter. I love the irony that that particular blog entry went through probably more drafts than any entry on this blog to date. And, being the literary nerd that I am, I love conversations about the writing process.

I had a high school English teacher who used to say that writing a first draft was like "throwing up on paper." I know the image is a little unpleasant, but I've always remembered that line--and repeated it to myself countless times since.

There's nothing scarier than a blank piece of paper in front of you (or blank Word document, which is worse--if you're typing on the computer, it just feels like your writing has to be that much more professional). And you've heard your English teachers say it, but it's true--an introduction and conclusion are always the hardest things to write. Now, granted, these days most of us aren't sitting down to write a paper that requires a real clincher of an opening line, but the principle remains--getting started is always the hardest part.

The first try doesn't even have to be good. I recently read that Tom Hanks had a horrible time trying to nail down Forrest Gump's accent, and finally mimicked the actor who played Forrest as a young boy. Can you picture Tom Hanks stumbling over, of all things, a Southern accent? And then he won an Oscar for the role.

So try typing out your thoughts--whatever comes to mind--and organizing them later. Sometimes you can get right to the meat of what you're saying when you just let your mind go--without worrying about spelling, grammar, or organization for a while.

Just don't do what my friend Tim did and go on a tirade against your professor (or client) for half a page--and then forget to delete it before sending in the report. Clean up your word vomit first!