The practice of writing - and of writing about technical topics, off and on - is not just an altruistic act of sharing knowledge, it is in itself an exercise in personal reflection, additional learning and consolidation of what we know. And highly rewarding when it's launched on the platform and posted on social media, generating feedback and encouraging us to continue. Along the way we leave seeds in others, expand the knowledge of others, encourage and infect others, and broaden our network.
Is it an easy exercise? Someone once said to me: "It's easy for you, you're in academia". Well, being in academia doesn't make us special when it comes to writing. Because academic writing, in general, is not produced for the general public to read. That's unfortunate. But in the outside world, texts are readable, understandable, because they are written in a simple, straightforward way, in everyday language.
Writing always seems more difficult before you start. When you start, when you see the text grow, when you catch yourself smiling at the keyboard with a new idea, when you re-read it and appreciate the shape it takes, everything becomes easier. And once you've written the first one, seen it generate interest in others and sometimes start conversations, you're left with a good experience and the desire to do it again.
When I write, I sometimes reflect for a few days on possible alternatives, and when I decide on a focus, I give myself the freedom to write a few paragraphs on the subject, without much concern for style, I often do research, gather the best ideas from what I've researched, re-read and take the time to edit.
It's rare that I write without trying to learn more about the subject when I come up with a topic. That's why, when I write, I'm always learning a bit more. What's more, because in order to write I have to minimally organise my ideas, this effort to explain what I know expands and transforms the knowledge I had before.
I know that nowadays most people read very little in their day-to-day lives, and what they do read are texts that aren't long, because life - and the will - can only take so much. That's why, when I write in the out-of-office, I try to do a number of things that might also work for you:
1º I first try to choose a topic that arouses interest, a social problem or a way of solving it (or both). Or simply something that has been on my mind recently and that I would like to become a topic to discuss.
2º I try to include useful content in the text. Useful can mean sharing concepts, frameworks, solutions that others can use in their daily lives in the context of problem solving, or that are at least interesting enough to make others think.
3º I try to be brief. Condense what I want to say into the minimum number of words. And if the text is long in the first draft, subsequent revisions will help to shorten it. In the out-of-print the indicative value is 750 words.
4º I mustn't forget that I have to have a first paragraph that is a good teaser, that really makes the reader want to read the rest - I usually write it when I have the whole text written.
5º I try to give the text a certain rhythm that allows the reader to be lulled by that rhythm - so I read the text several times inside, and I have to feel that rhythm. If I don't feel it, I edit until I like the text and the rhythm of the reading.
I lived with English people for several years as I progressed in my studies. Most of them wrote diaries, both personal and professional. Almost every day, they recorded entries, even if they were short reflections. Writing was/is part of life. I was surprised by the habit. And I learnt a lot.
Don't hesitate. Write.
