TROUBLESHOOTING

Think listing’s a problem? Don’t be fooled. Just because you feel too rushed to list, forget to list, or simply don’t want to list, don’t ignore this important step. Instead, revitalize your commitment to writing well and remind yourself that in the end, listing saves more time than it takes. Still, listing isn’t for everyone. Here are some indications it isn’t for you.

Writing problems . Perhaps the words drip slowly, and it takes 15 minutes, half an hour, an hour to write only a few paragraphs. Or perhaps the information never reaches the page. If listing doesn’t speed up your writing process and help orient you, it’s not working.

Scattered or vanishing points . If the latest mystery in your life is what points to include in your document, better pause before drawing up your next list. Similarly, if you spend your writing time trying to recall those wonderful details, examples, and other support points that bloomed fresh as summer daisies in your mind just moments before you sat at the computer, forget about listing.

Frustration when trying to determine your points . The principle behind listing is that the ideas you want to write are already in your head. The order may be askew, the essence half-formed, but the ideas are there. By listing, you allow them to tumble onto the page from their captivity within your mind. If the ideas don’t tumble, but plod or shift restlessly, then try something else.