How writing is like building a LEGO set
A 5-step process I use to help write my own articles.
The process of writing is similar to building a LEGO set. Here's a 5-step process that I often use to write articles:
1. Gather LEGO bricks
Throughout your life, your brain will spontaneously generate LEGO bricks. A brick is an insight, idea, phrase, or quip that you want to use in your writing.
Unfortunately, these bricks slowly melt into the chaos of your own head if you don't store them somewhere. Your brain is pretty good at having ideas, but is surprisingly bad at remembering those ideas. So what's the solution? Store the bricks in a bin!
A bin doesn't have to be fancy. Some writers use complex Notion databases while others simply use a Google Doc or a piece of paper. I use Apple Notes as a happy medium, because with Apple Notes:
- I can easily separate my ideas (more easily than Google Docs)
- I can search for ideas or words (more easily than on physical paper)
- I don't have to worry about excess maintenance (unlike Notion)
2. Sort the LEGO bricks
All LEGO bricks also have a size:
- Larger, overarching ideas or insights: large, structural bricks & plates
- Medium-sized ideas & insights: medium-sized LEGO bricks
- Smaller quips & phrases: smaller decorative bricks
So for this LEGO rollercoaster:
Set No. 10261
- Larger, overarching ideas or insights: the tall white beams, the white support structures, and the green baseplate
- Medium-sized ideas & insights: the red tracks and grey bricks
- Smaller quips & phrases: the trees, the 'COASTER' sign, and other small details
Separate your bricks into three piles so it's easier to build (write) when inspiration comes. I find this useful in the next step.
3. Experiment and tinker
When it's time to write a first draft, just take bricks from the two largest piles. Start slapping them together and see what fits. Don't worry if it looks messy, undetailed, or unpolished. Just start writing. That's the hardest part. If you get stuck, work on a different part of your draft.
Don't obsess over the smallest pile right now. Get your main ideas and points out—you can worry about word choice, sentence structure, and quips & phrases later.
4. Rebuild
Time to edit. You may not have used all of your bricks, and some of your bricks may be in places that don't fit. Restructure and rework your creation until you have a more coherent second draft.
Once you've reached your second draft, take a look at your creation with a critical eye and ask yourself, "What can I easily remove?" The fastest way to improve your writing is to remove bricks from your creation that don't belong there.
5. Add Final Details
Once you're at a draft you're mostly happy with, add final bricks from the smallest pile. I only add final details in this step, because it makes no sense to focus on small decorative bricks when your underlying structure still needs adjustment.
Bricks from the smallest pile should represent your personality and style. Do your best to make your writing sound like it wasn't written by AI. Of course, check for typos and grammar mistakes with Grammarly or ChatGPT or similar.
Summary
- Whenever your brain generates ideas (bricks), store them in a bin (Notion, Google Docs, etc.) so you don't lose them.
- Separate your bricks into piles so it's easier to write when inspiration comes.
- Write a first draft (which can be very rough) quickly. Don't worry about making it good. Create first, and edit later.
- Focus on restructuring & rebuilding your creation. Then eliminate superfluous ideas and language.
- Add final details that reflect your personality and style, and generally clean up your creation.