When writing a blog post, newspaper article, or a book, there are two basic ways of approaching your first draft. There is the “Vomit and Cleanup” method and the “Chisel in Stone” method. Both have strengths and weaknesses.

Vomit and Cleanup

The vomit and cleanup method focuses on getting as many words out on paper as possible in a short amount of time. It is kind of a stream-of-consciousness-don’t-stop-writing-just-get-it-out-on-paper approach.

The goal here is to not stop writing until several thousand words are written. Then, when it is all out, you go back to try to organize and clean it up.

The strength to this method is that a lot gets written in a very short time, and it helps the author feel that progress is being made. This is good if you have a looming deadline and are way behind in your word count. Some people use a online program called Write or Die to help them write a lot really fast.

The drawback is that a lot of what gets written doesn’t flow well, needs a lot of editing, and is sometimes incoherent. A lot of what was written is not quality work.

If you are going to use this method, I recommend that at a bare minimum, you develop a logical flow of argument or plot outline before you begin writing, and then keep it right next to you while  you write.

Chisel in Stone

The chisel in stone method is where the author carefully crafts and thinks through each and every sentence and paragraph before a single word or sentence is ever written. It is slow. It is methodical. It is careful.

The goal here is to write nearly finished manuscript in the first draft.

The strength to this method is that a tight and logical manuscript gets written the first time through. The thought structure makes sense, the sentences flow one after another, and the paragraphs fit within the chapter structure and book outline. If an author is able to write this way, the finished product does come quite close to being a finished manuscript.

The drawback is that the author might get very little written for a long time, which can lead to frustration that nothing is getting written. Also, no author is so good that extensive writing and editing is not needed, and when an author thinks that what they have written is nearly perfect “as is” they do not take kindly to editors marking up their text with a red pen and scratching out entire paragraphs, or even chapters.

If you are going to use this method, I recommend that you still set a word goal for yourself, such as 500 words an hour. This way, something gets out on paper, and progress is being made, even if it is not as tight and perfect as you hoped and imagined it would be. Then, you will know that your writing will require some editing and reworking to make it into a finished and complete manuscript.

So what type of writer are you? What other strengths and drawbacks have you experienced with these two writing styles?