What good writing looks like

"The hardest part of writing - and I mean non-fiction writing and User Experience writing mostly, because that's what I'm good at (and maybe for writers like Stephen King the hardest part is choosing which Metallica song to listen to while writing) - is the start. The general rule is this: whatever you write first is your worst version. If you're writing a confirmation window, you'll usually end up with something like this:"

"The first version is always the worst. And once you know that, it gives you power. And motivation. You can iterate without panic until you arrive at something better: With writing for interfaces - UI/UX writing - experienced writers can feel when the text is still raw and needs work. There's this small bug buzzing in your ear that says: not yet."

Starting microcopy for interfaces is the hardest step. First drafts are typically the weakest versions and should be expected as starting points. The general rule is that whatever appears first is the worst version. Initial attempts often produce verbose or unclear confirmation messages; concise alternatives improve clarity and user guidance. Recognizing first versions as imperfect empowers systematic iteration. Iteration reduces panic and encourages refinement until microcopy becomes clear and purposeful. Experienced UX practitioners can sense when microcopy remains raw and needs further refinement, prompting additional edits guided by usability and brevity.

Read at Medium