Writing Is Thinking: Learning to Write with Confidence (blog.stephsmith.io)

Article summary

The article discusses the author's journey to becoming a confident writer, despite initially struggling with writing. The author emphasizes the importance of practice, exposure, and iteration in developing writing skills. They also share their personal writing process, which involves separating the thinking and writing stages to reduce friction and increase productivity. By doing so, the author aims to encourage others to develop a writing practice and build their confidence as writers.

Main themes

• writing as a skill
• personal writing processes
• overcoming self-doubt
• importance of reading
• dealing with criticism
• language and grammar
• confidence building
• productivity and friction reduction

What commenters say

• Writing is a skill that can be developed through consistent practice and exposure, regardless of initial struggles.
• Having a clear and personal writing process can help reduce anxiety and increase productivity.
• Reading widely and often is essential for improving writing skills, as it exposes one to different styles and techniques.
• Ignoring negative comments and focusing on constructive feedback is crucial for building confidence as a writer.
• Non-native English speakers can still produce high-quality writing and should not be discouraged by criticism of their grammar or phrasing.
• Using tools like Grammarly can help reduce errors and improve writing quality.
• The importance of having an editor or getting feedback from others can help improve writing and build confidence.
• Certificated is a valid word, although it may not be commonly used in layperson English, and its usage can be context-dependent.