Ask HN: I find writing difficult, how do I make it easy?

Is it about the technical details or about the delivery and the writing? I find it hard to come up with the details while making a lucid narrative, usually in order to write a good narrative I really need a tight grasp on the technical details. Even then, it can be hard to figure out which thread to pull on first. Many times understanding your audience is key to making a lucid argument in a way that will convince them. That is step 1.

But it sounds like if you are wondering which draft is better that you are maybe worried about the writing aspects, such as word choice and ordering sentences / paragraphs. If so, I'd suggest maybe starting with a bullet point list or an outline with subheadings with the details. Then you can turn each point into a paragraph or sentence. Reordering will be much easier and not worrying about writing full sentences can lessen writing anxiety.

If you end up writing a really good outline, sometimes that can be even more effective and quick to read than a more long form paper.

Since you also bring up being concise (which is different from lucidity), I find it totally normal to end up cutting a 1/3rd of the text of a first draft. Edit ruthlessly; use active voice, cut out useless or random thoughts that may be interesting to you, but won't be to your reader.

Also, of course, practice makes perfect. And find a good editor.

(A) Frame the full picture in your mind before you start to write [1, 2]. A short story: Someone once wrote a long letter to a friend, and finished it with something like "Sorry, I did not have the time to write a shorter one!" [3] I.e., it can take longer to write shorter! The reversal comes from conceptualization and framing of what you want to say, not from the actual writing itself. Use mind maps for this if that would help.

(B) Be conscious of word choice. Check even those words out in a dictionary which you think you already understand. You may soon have a refined judgment on when to check.

(C) Introduce time breaks before reading your creation for self reviews. Writing involves intense thinking which is a subject to confirmation bias. Reading your own writing a few days later will give you a flavor of what it feels like as a reader.

(D) Close the feedback loop with the actual readers, whether live or offline. Watch for the discussions that happen on the subject and see if those discussions could have been avoided by writing differently, thereby driving consensus faster.

>> which of my edited drafts should I choose as final version.

Why not have only one draft, a single working copy of the doc? :-)

See also: https://alokgovil.com/to-learn-to-write-well-read-a-lot-too/ (on my own blog)

-- Footnotes --

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_men_and_an_elephant

[2] Improvisation also works but should be less preferable.

[3] https://quoteinvestigator.com/2012/04/28/shorter-letter/

What's the easiest thing to write about? Easy--

1) Name somethings you're interested, invested, passionate to speak about.

2) Write all you can until you're bored.

3) Read more about #1.

4) Repeat.

It's not a destination. It's a path.

I forgot the best tip - read Zinsser's On Writing Well, such a great book.