Yeah, write unclever code then refactor. Unless you know the domain well don't try to get smart upfront. I do this repeatedly, pushing the abstraction layer higher on each rewrite. I rarely start out with the abstraction first. [Edit: as the abstraction starts to take shape, it feels 'right' and 'elegant' not at all forced]

> I think I read somewhere that the worst code comes from the wrong abstractions.

I'd say no, it comes from cut & paste :) seriously