Why My Writing Process is "Long and Tedious" (But Works)

How do you write? It’s a question we rarely ask each other, yet the answer reveals so much about how our brains work.

Some people are skimmers; they can glance at a page, absorb the gist, and churn out a paper. I am not one of those people. My writing process is admittedly long, sometimes tedious, and incredibly thorough. But over the years, I’ve learned to embrace it because it allows me to truly understand the material rather than just memorize it.

Step 1: The Deep Read

I never start writing until I have read the article thoroughly. I don't just scan; I attack the page. I highlight topic sentences, answers to specific questions, and anything that stands out.

I have a specific intuition for quotes. I know I’ve found a quote worth using when I can physically visualize it in my paper, or when I simply "feel good" after reading it. That somatic response is my signal that the author has captured something essential.

To keep myself organized, I write summaries of sections in the margins. This creates a roadmap, so I don't have to re-read the whole paper just to find one concept. If the vocabulary is dense, I will define unknown words right there on the side of the paper—a trick a colleague taught me—so I never have to break my flow to look up a definition twice.

Step 2: The "One Shot" Rule

When it comes to the actual writing, I am a sprinter. I tend to complete the entire draft in one sitting.

I’ve tried the "write a little, rest a little" method, but it backfired. If I put the work away, I forget the nuance of what I read and end up having to start the research process all over again. To keep the information fresh and the connections alive, I have to write immediately after reading.

I also utilize reading aloud. Hearing the words helps me process complex ideas more clearly than reading silently.

Quality Over Speed

I’ll be honest: this process is effective, but it is slow. I sometimes envy people who can skim-read and still retain everything, but I know that method leaves gaps in my knowledge.

My goal moving forward is to find a balance, to allow more time for information to settle without losing the momentum. But for now, I accept that my process is a bit of a marathon. It takes time to digest information deeply, but the result is a level of understanding that "skimming" just can't provide.