Writing things

The nice people at ServerWatch have given me a weekly column. First one now up here. (Unlike the O'Reilly blog, this is even a paid gig. Score.)

This has caused me to reflect on my experience of writing (tech/other factual stuff, that is. I have been known to write fiction, but not, as yet, in any kind of public. I can barely stand to re-read it myself, as a rule, in case I get embarrassed.). It goes a bit like this:

1. Structure (for article-length things). Makes the first draft a bit easier. Usually fairly happy at this point.
2. First draft. Very very hard to get started. Usually done in chunks of 500-1000 words for longer pieces, to make it a bit less scary. Has **FIXME all over the place as if I stop to do actual research I'll never get started again. Mild relief at end of it.
3. **FIXMEs. Easier to get going on as they're a bit more specific.
4. Second draft. At this point I realise that the whole thing is a total mess and will never, ever, be up to any sort of publishable standard, in particular not by the deadline I have been given. Red pen abounds (metaphorically if I'm editing onscreen). Am deeply grateful that at least I can splel & handle apostrophes, its/it's etc, even if I do write too many run-on sentences. Finish with sense of deep gloom.
5. Some more **FIXMEs which have invariably arisen in step 4, or were left over from step 3 as they gave me the fear. Deep gloom continues, also mild panic.
6. Third draft. Suddenly realise that actually this is reasonably acceptable and will probably not lead to me receiving nasty emails from the editor.
7. Final read-through and send off. Deep relief.
8. [optional] Finally read piece in print/on page (I can't always face doing this). Not infrequently surprised at how much better it is than I remembered.¹ Become smug.

For 250 words, some of the above is missed out, but I'm still occasionally unclear why I would nevertheless describe the process as a whole as "enjoyable"; and why I've volunteered to go through it weekly from now on. Unless it's like childbirth and the final step overrides the rest. (Well, OK, the fact that they pay me helps.)

1. (Actually I wouldn't mind a quick re-edit of that column, as it says "Condor" too many times IMO. Although I've just compared with my version & some of that is editing, so there we go.)

Writing things

The nice people at ServerWatch have given me a weekly column. First one now up here. (Unlike the O'Reilly blog, this is even a paid gig. Score.)

This has caused me to reflect on my experience of writing (tech/other factual stuff, that is. I have been known to write fiction, but not, as yet, in any kind of public. I can barely stand to re-read it myself, as a rule, in case I get embarrassed.). It goes a bit like this:

1. Structure (for article-length things). Makes the first draft a bit easier. Usually fairly happy at this point.
2. First draft. Very very hard to get started. Usually done in chunks of 500-1000 words for longer pieces, to make it a bit less scary. Has **FIXME all over the place as if I stop to do actual research I'll never get started again. Mild relief at end of it.
3. **FIXMEs. Easier to get going on as they're a bit more specific.
4. Second draft. At this point I realise that the whole thing is a total mess and will never, ever, be up to any sort of publishable standard, in particular not by the deadline I have been given. Red pen abounds (metaphorically if I'm editing onscreen). Am deeply grateful that at least I can splel & handle apostrophes, its/it's etc, even if I do write too many run-on sentences. Finish with sense of deep gloom.
5. Some more **FIXMEs which have invariably arisen in step 4, or were left over from step 3 as they gave me the fear. Deep gloom continues, also mild panic.
6. Third draft. Suddenly realise that actually this is reasonably acceptable and will probably not lead to me receiving nasty emails from the editor.
7. Final read-through and send off. Deep relief.
8. [optional] Finally read piece in print/on page (I can't always face doing this). Not infrequently surprised at how much better it is than I remembered.¹ Become smug.

For 250 words, some of the above is missed out, but I'm still occasionally unclear why I would nevertheless describe the process as a whole as "enjoyable"; and why I've volunteered to go through it weekly from now on. Unless it's like childbirth and the final step overrides the rest. (Well, OK, the fact that they pay me helps.)

1. (Actually I wouldn't mind a quick re-edit of that column, as it says "Condor" too many times IMO. Although I've just compared with my version & some of that is editing, so there we go.)