The basic tool of engineering is merely a principled approach to problem solving. The art of engineering, as with all art, is rooted in creativity: seeing things which do not yet exist and applying the skills of your particular craft to reify your design.
Only the craft is particular to your field. Take out craft, which is often the sort of thing that can be learned on the job, and engineering is a way of succeeding at many things in life. And so it is: engineers are good at solving problems in many areas. The #1 type of degree held by Fortune 500 CEOs? Not business. Engineering.
When we put exaggerated value on writing that is managed quickly, spontaneously, independently, and brilliantly, we burden ourselves with unnecessary emotional baggage about writing. Such writing is possible but rare and it is, in fact, no better than more deliberate writing.
Elitism is a powerful constraint against adopting practical and visible methods for summoning up imagination. And, as a rule, it turns into insecurity and procrastination.
