Writing is Like Brewing Coffee

You need to tinker sometimes

You need to tinker sometimes

Image of author’s own note.

Producing writing is not so much like filling a basin or pool once, but rather getting water to keep flowing. through til it finally runs clear.

(Peter Elbow, 1973)

Or writing is like making coffee… we use different methods to enhance different flavor profiles.

Sometimes you have to experiment with technique to get just the right cup from just the right bean.

☕️ Here are 5 ways you can tinker with your coffee and your writing.

⚙️ Grind. This influences how fast readers digest your writing. You can have tiny chunks of writing or large chunks. Either way, your writing should be ground. You can’t make coffee with whole beans!

⏳️ Time. You can let writing sit overnight like a cold brew, or 25 seconds like an espresso. This will influence how well your writing mixes with other kinds of writing. Try letting your writing sit for longer or shorter… or even mixing it with something else.

🗺️ Source. Beans from different locations have distinct flavor. The same with your words, research, and thoughts. Where you get your information and ideas will shape your writing. This might be your culture, your profession, or just your group of friends. Try a new source sometime!

🔥 Roast. You can have a light or bold roast (or anything in between), depending on how much emotion and style you put in your writing. The same bean (or writing) can have many levels of emotion. Try them all!

🍶 Method. The different containers you use to mix your water and writing will influence the outcome. MS Word is like a Mr. Coffee, whereas Ulysses is more like a good Chemex. Getting stuck? Or nothing seems to come out right? Try a new writing tool.

How you put together the grind, time, source, roast, and method in your writing process will produce different writing.

☕️ Coffee connoisseurs tinker… and so do writers.

What ways do you tinker with your writing… or coffee?

I keep other smart notes like this in a Medium collection and welcome other contributors. 👇️

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