On Writing: First Steps

Introduction

This is the first in a series of articles on medical writing and publishing. Although intended primarily for trainees and others who are just starting out on the publishing trail, hopefully these articles will provide more experienced writers with ”food for thought”, too. For the beginner, the very idea of developing a project, executing it then writing up the results for presentation at a medical meeting or publication in a peer-reviewed journal is daunting. Without doubt, a significant ”potential energy barrier” must be overcome before one’s writings appear in print. Some find the challenge too daunting, and never try. Which is a great pity! To paraphrase an Ancient Chinese saying: ”If you don’t take the first step, the journey will never be completed.” Everyone has to start somewhere. In this series of articles, you will be taken through the process step-by-step. Believe me, writing well is humanly possible! Hopefully, you will be convinced that writing for presentation and publication is a challenge worth meeting, and a lot of fun as well.

During a recent discussion with colleagues about who would teach our fellows what, a colleague said to me: ”You should mentor the follows about medical writing, because you find it easy …” Easy? What made this individual think that I find writing ”easy”? If I write more efficiently and effectively than some of my peers, might this not reflect years of study and trial-and-error practice rather than innate ability or even dumb luck? Few are born with the talent to use English skillfully, and fewer still receive the gift of effortless medical or scientific writing. The rest of us must learn the old-fashioned way: by studying the work of experts and being mentored by those who have won their spurs in the medical writing arena.