Here's a great 4-step guide to the writing process from Ann Handley:
- The Ugly First Draft. Barf it up! Get it out!
- The chainsaw edit. Move the big chunks around on dollies and hand-trucks. Is it starting to take shape?
- Surgical-tool edit. Finer editing. Each word must earn its keep.
- Read it out loud. Does it sound like writing? If so, revisit #3. Repeat.
This works. You may have to repeat #3 a few times -- I do.