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Writing

A lot goes into preparing a rocket for launch: filling the tanks with fuel, running complex system checks, and getting the astronauts suited up and into position. Months of careful preparation lead to the countdown—5, 4, 3, 2, 1. . . . Liftoff! Then, in mere minutes, the rocket goes from the ground to space!

In the same way, your prewriting helps you fill your writing tanks, plan your launch, and get your focus into the driver’s seat. If you’ve done your prewriting well, your writing should go quickly and smoothly. As author Bernard Malamud states, “The idea is to get the pencil moving quickly.” When you write a first draft, don’t worry about every little comma. Instead, let your ideas take off!