For many budding researchers, the idea of penning their thoughts, experiments, and results into a structured manuscript can feel akin to scaling Everest. That blank canvas – a new document with the cursor blinking, almost taunting, waiting for words that never seem to come. If you’re a research trainee or a recent graduate, the daunting task of scientific writing can feel like an insurmountable mountain. It’s not just the writer’s block or the fear of a blank page; it’s the immense pressure of translating important results into coherent, impactful prose. Where does one even begin?
As a clinical researcher and physician-scientist who’s been there, done that (for the past 10 years), I understand the unique blend of excitement and uncertainty that comes with this territory. You’re about to discover my tried-and-tested approach that will not only streamline your writing process but also elevate your research career. I call it the “Dump, Lump, Jump, and Bump” method—a no-nonsense, practical approach to help you go from a blank page to a polished manuscript that shines. This approach is inspired by Pat Flynn’s entrepreneurial book “Will It Fly?”, where he describes it in the context of starting a business. But this adapted framework works equally well for our manuscript writing purpose.
Here is the gist of this approach:
- Dump (Creating Ideas)
- Lump (Creating Groups)
- Jump (Creating Order)
- Bump (Creating Refinement)
Don’t worry! I’ll walk you through each of these steps through this 3-part blog post, offering insights, and strategies to demystify the process. The first part below is going to describe how to start writing from scratch. By the end of this post, you’ll be equipped with the tools and knowledge to put your ideas into paper without creating overwhelm.
STEP 1- DUMP: Dive into Your First Draft Without Overthinking
Take off the blindfolds
It is important to start with a goal in mind. Before even scribbling that first word, have a target journal in mind – akin to taking off your blindfold during a game of darts. Having a clear target audience and journal in mind can offer a framework, ensuring that your writing remains focused and relevant. This is really going to be your North Star. It’s tempting to aim for those high-flying journals, but pick one that vibes with your research. A quick peek into recent articles can provide valuable insights. If you’re feeling lost, today’s tech-savvy world offers AI tools such as Trinka or journal finders from Elsevier or Wiley that can be your compass, guiding your research towards its perfect home. NOTE: These are just some of the free journal finders that I could find, but there are many out there. I do not have any affiliations with any of these.
Outline your research story
What’s the narrative behind your findings? Jot down key points for each manuscript section. Don’t stress about going from A to Z – sometimes, starting with M is just fine! i.e., you could choose any portion of the manuscript and just write the outline for that part. You can access my manuscript writing template here to get you going!
The above two steps will help guide your journey- beyond which it is important to let your guard off (at least for this step in writing). I call this “freedom within boundaries”.
Write with Freedom
This might sound contrary to the above point, but while you have to know where you are going (the destination), your journey is going to be deeply personal. Every masterpiece starts with a first draft, often flawed and filled with ideas that may not make the final cut. This phase is what I like to call ‘the dump.’ It’s about throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks. Imagine you’re producing a movie. Filmmakers shoot more scenes than they’ll ever use, giving them a rich array of choices in the editing room. Likewise, while crafting your draft, embrace the philosophy that you will discard more than half of what you pen. This mindset allows you to venture into territories of creativity without inhibition. Think of it as a liberating constraint. As Dr. Peterson outlines in his talk on writing, embarking on a first draft without the weight of perfection can be freeing.
Separate editing from writing
Have you ever felt an urge to perfect every line the moment it’s penned? I know that feeling all too well. However, it’s crucial to recognize that one cannot both write and edit at the same time. Neurologically, the systems that produce and systems that edit are different. Interesting tidbit: some individuals with frontotemporal dementia get more creative as their dementia progresses. When I’m drafting, I remind myself to let the words flow, knowing it will be far from the final version. Acknowledging beforehand that it is going to be bad, raw, too long can help. The real sculpting — trimming and refining — comes in later stages, post-“LUMP.” Something I have to constantly remind myself to keep my perfectionist tendencies at bay during this initial draft phase.
Navigate Left to Right, Not Top-Down
Traditionally, many of us are conditioned to write in a top-down sequence, starting from the introduction and concluding with the ending. But writing from left to right can be transformative. It’s a method that prioritizes compartmentalizing ideas before delving into the prose. It’s a technique I personally have used for years now to jot down, rearrange, and crystallize thoughts. I use the Notion Database. But regardless of the platform, whether it’s Google Sheets or a traditional word processor, this method can be a game-changer. Download my left-to-right manuscript writing template here for FREE to get started.
Let Your Ideas Brew
Let’s get real: Ever written something and thought it was genius, only to re-read it the next day and wonder, “What was I thinking?” Taking breaks lets you revisit with fresh eyes and renewed energy. Sleeping on your ideas can offer a fresh perspective the next morning, allowing you to refine and reshape them. It’s almost like magic.
First, Write for Your Eyes Only
Stephen King, in his exceptional memoir, “On Writing,” advises to: “write with the door closed.” The first draft is sacred, personal, and exclusive. By isolating yourself from external judgment, you foster an environment where creativity flows unbridled. Yet, once that initial outpour is on paper, the door should be opened for refining, keeping the audience in mind.
Invite Feedback Sooner Than Later
Instead of waiting until your final draft, involve your mentors and peers early on, even in the messiness of the ‘dump’ phase. You can ask them to give you feedback on a specific thing or section. If the stars align and you have multiple individuals willing to review your work, seize the opportunity! Assign different sections or specific elements to each reviewer. This segmented approach not only diversifies the feedback you receive, but also avoids overwhelming your reviewers.
In essence, the ‘dump’ phase is the foundation upon which your manuscript is built. It’s a playground for your thoughts, a space where they can run wild, before being molded into a coherent narrative. Remember, every great piece of literature started as a raw, unrefined draft. Your manuscript is no different. So, let’s embrace the ‘dump’ and set the stage for the next phases in our manuscript writing journey! DOWNLOAD the template here to get started.
Learn the next steps about how to revise the manuscript in part II and part III of our manuscript writing series.