Overthinking.
Writing is primarily putting ideas to page.
Then following rules and grammar structure to make it engaging and readable.
Slap on good research, proper editing, and you’re good.
The most important step in this process is getting your ideas to page.
And most writers, especially new writers, overthink this step.
When you overthink your idea, before giving it the chance to evolve in writing, you’re going to murder it.
And lots of murdered ideas can quickly make you feel like you’re not good enough.
What Should You Do Instead?
When you have an idea, capture it.
Don’t fall into analysis paralysis yet. Put the idea down on paper or screen and be as detailed as possible.
What are you saying? Why are you saying what you’re saying?
What do you want to communicate?
Then, think of how to structure it. What materials or resources can make your writing richer? Or informative?
How can you format your writing better?
The rule is simple: capture first, think later.
Don’t overthink what you want to write without giving it a chance to come alive on paper first.
Overthinking kills a writer’s morale, especially if you’re new to writing and have not developed the confidence to share your thoughts with the world.
So again, capture first, think later.
Any idea can become a master piece when worked on.
Sometimes an idea should be tossed off. But when all you do is overthink, you will limit creativity and not explore your thinking process.
Let your idea survive the grinding wheels of overthinking.
Then, work on it.
–
Cover image by Fadhil Abhimantra on Unsplash