Write once. Edit twice.
Written by Brian Ball
Throw down all the words any way you know how.
Copy and paste words on the internet.
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Fill a page or two with ideas and connections to and from those ideas. Jot random things that come to mind.
If you need a thinking framework, Edward De Bono's Six Thinking Hats is a great starter.
Designed for brainstorming in groups, he imagines the person managing the brainstorm wearing the uniform and blue hat - like a police officer.
The Blue Hat manages and asks people in the room to put on the different color hats to constrain their thinking.
White Hat - Scientist. Just facts - Write down all the facts you can think of about your idea.
Yellow Hat - What's Positive about the idea? List anything - whether it's true or not - you'll edit for truth and accuracy.
Green Hat - While doing all this thinking, your brain will make random connections. These shouldn't be discarded. They're still connections. Write down tangential ideas when thinking with the Green Hat.
Black Hat - What doesn't quite work about this? Let yourself be negative and pessimistic as you write down concerns, deal breakers and road blocks while wearing this hat.
Red Hat - What does your gut say about this idea? Are you still excited? Write down thoughts and feelings that are honest and communicate your internal dialog.
Now, whether you used the Six Hats or just went off your internal combustion, the next step is to give yourself a break. Let the material and ideas settle. Return later with fresh ideas to cut the crap.
EDITING:
Hopefully you're editing in a document that allows you to cut and paste. This way, you'll be able to move your thoughts and ideas around and you edit and organize.
If you didn't start with an outline you might create one now. Outline your thoughts and ideas that causes the thinking to flow. Spend time organizing, moving, and clarifying the thoughts and grammar.
Put in a session of good work - then take a break.
When you come back a second time, you'll be more tuned to the material. You might have some stronger feelings about what you want to say and some clearer thinking.
This is where you can really tighten up the messaging.
If you're inclined and have friends who will support you, ask them to read and give feedback. A piece of writing with feedback will better than one without.
That's it. Go to it. Write once. Edit twice.