Starting a Writing Project

When it comes to the writing process, there are many small decisions that a writer has to make, and there are many small problems that a writer has to solve. On some level we’re all aware of that before we start a writing project, and we often choose to avoid those issues, the ones we don’t yet know how to handle; we end up procrastinating, or we can feel overwhelmed by how enormous the project seems at the start. So, here’s a tip that has helped me in my own writing: start early, and start small.

Starting early helps in a number of ways. The sooner I understand everything that I am required to do in a project, the sooner it feels doable. Rather than an abstract problem in my imagination, like some mountain I have to climb, the project become a series of small challenges that, on their own, aren’t that scary. Also, just as important, starting early gives me more time to handle each task.

Starting small, I’ve found, is a helpful way of overcoming the motivational roadblocks that tend to get in the way of starting early. Planning to write a complete draft a week before it’s due is a great objective, but it’s an ambitious one (especially during a busy school semester). And, if I’m struggling with the motivation, planning to write a whole draft can seem a lot more difficult than starting with a smaller and more immediate goal, like taking the next twenty minutes to make a list of possible topics. I’ve found it’s easier to accomplish smaller and more specific tasks. Instead of saying, “I’m going to do all the research for my paper today,” I’ll start with, “here’s a question I have about my topic, so I’m going to spend the next hour to find at least two good sources that address it.” Having smaller goals sooner not only helps with the motivation for a writing project, it also gives me a sense of satisfaction as I complete each small task. Rather than being overwhelmed by the big picture, breaking the project down into smaller pieces helps me feel more confident and more accomplished. I can more clearly see my progress as I make it.

Sometimes it’s helpful to remember that experienced writers face a lot of the same issues as inexperienced writers do; sometimes the answer is just taking a different approach or trying a different strategy, and since this strategy has helped me so much, I thought I’d share. Start early, and start small!

By David Hardison, CSU Fresno Student, FCC Tutor