The Struggle Is Real

Is legal writing a struggle for you? You're not alone. Professor Wayne Schiess pointed out in “Legal Writing Is Not What It Should Be,”

Producing clear, effective writing is hard work, and producing clear, effective legal writing is harder still. In that way, legal writing is like any other valuable skill: playing the piano, running a marathon, or performing heart surgery. It takes practice, lots and lots of practice.

Professor Schiess is right: Lots of practice will improve the clarity of your writing. But even after you’ve practiced and practiced, writing will probably remain challenging. It remains challenging for me and for many I know. I spend time almost every day both writing and working to improve my writing skills.

Some days my writing flows almost effortlessly. And other days, like today, I slog along listlessly, struggling to get down even my most basic thoughts. So if you are toiling today, take heart. Keep at it. As Louis L'Amour noted, “The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”

Happy Friday!