This summer I’ve read a number of writers on writing. All of them-whether they’re journalists, novelist, poets, or something else altogether-stress the importance of writing constantly and consistently. Many described the major roadblock that keeps me from constantly producing: I try to write things in my head and don’t like to put them on paper until they’re perfect. That’s no way to write. I certainly don’t have the memory for it.

So.

I need to write just to write. Fill up notebooks and legal pads and scrap paper. I know I’ll feel better once I just get it down. And from that, perhaps my perfect senior portfolio will arise.