Speeding Up Your Writing Process
78% of writers report struggling with consistent speed. It’s a common hurdle, but one that can be overcome with deliberate practice. Many believe faster writing requires innate talent, but it’s largely about building effective habits.
The Power of Freewriting
One incredibly useful technique is freewriting. Set a timer – even just five minutes – and write continuously, without stopping to edit or judge. The goal isn’t quality, it’s volume. This loosens the mental grip that self-criticism has on your flow, allowing ideas to surface more readily. It's a warm-up for the brain.
Minimize Distractions
Our attention spans are constantly challenged. A dedicated writing space, even a corner of a room, can be beneficial. Turning off notifications, silencing your phone, and letting others know you need focused time are essential. Reducing interruptions allows for deeper concentration, translating to quicker output.
Embrace Imperfection
Many writers get bogged down trying to craft flawless sentences from the start. It's more efficient to get a rough draft down, focusing on getting the core ideas on the page. Editing comes later. Accepting a messy first draft removes a significant barrier to speed. It frees you to simply write.
Expert opinions
Dr. Eleanor Vance – Habits for Accelerated Writing
Hello, I’m Dr. Eleanor Vance, a writing coach and productivity researcher with over 15 years of experience helping writers of all levels – from students to seasoned novelists – overcome roadblocks and achieve their writing goals. One of the most common questions I get is: “How can I write faster?” It’s not about sacrificing quality, but about streamlining your process. Here’s a breakdown of habits, categorized for clarity, that can significantly boost your writing speed:
I. Pre-Writing & Planning – The Foundation of Speed
Many people think faster writing means diving straight in. That's often a recipe for endless revisions. Solid pre-writing is crucial.
- Outline, Even a Rough One: This is the biggest speed booster. It doesn't need to be detailed, but knowing your key arguments, plot points, or sections beforehand prevents you from staring at a blank page wondering ‘what next?’ I recommend using bullet points, mind maps, or even just a list of headings.
- Know Your Audience & Purpose: Who are you writing for? What do you want them to do after reading? A clear understanding of these focuses your writing and eliminates unnecessary tangents.
- Research Strategically: Don’t fall down the research rabbit hole while you’re writing. Do a dedicated research phase before you start drafting. Keep your sources organized (citation managers like Zotero or Mendeley are invaluable). Just jot down key facts/quotes needed, and fill in details later if necessary.
- Freewriting/Brainstorming: Before outlining, a 5-10 minute freewriting session can unlock ideas and overcome writer's block. Don't edit, just write whatever comes to mind.
II. During the Drafting Process – Maintaining Momentum
This is where the rubber meets the road. These habits focus on keeping the words flowing.
- Timeboxing: Allocate specific blocks of time (e.g., 25 minutes with a 5-minute break – the Pomodoro Technique is excellent) solely for writing. Turn off distractions (see section III). The limited time creates a sense of urgency.
- Don't Edit While Drafting: This is the most common mistake. Your inner editor is a speed killer. Focus on getting the ideas down. Grammar, spelling, and style can wait for the revision stage. Think of drafting as pouring concrete – you can smooth it later.
- Embrace Imperfection: First drafts are supposed to be messy. Don't strive for perfection on the first pass. "Good enough for now" is a powerful mantra.
- Write at Your Peak Time: Are you a morning person or a night owl? Schedule your writing sessions when you're most alert and focused.
- Set Daily Word Count Goals: Instead of aiming for "write a chapter," aim for "write 500 words." Smaller, achievable goals feel less daunting and build momentum.
- "Shitty First Drafts" (Anne Lamott’s advice): Accept that your first draft will likely be terrible. That's okay! The point is to have a draft to work with.
- Voice Typing: For some, dictating their writing can be significantly faster than typing. Experiment with voice recognition software.
III. Environmental & Technological Habits – Minimizing Distractions
Your environment plays a huge role.
- Dedicated Writing Space: If possible, have a designated area solely for writing. This helps your brain associate the space with focused work.
- Eliminate Distractions: This means turning off notifications on your phone and computer, closing unnecessary tabs, and letting family/housemates know you need uninterrupted time. Website blockers (Freedom, Cold Turkey) can be incredibly helpful.
- Noise Management: Some people thrive in silence, others prefer background noise. Experiment with white noise, ambient music, or instrumental playlists.
- Keyboard Shortcuts: Learn common keyboard shortcuts for your word processor (copy, paste, save, undo, etc.). These small time-savers add up.
- Text Expanders: Tools like TextExpander or PhraseExpress allow you to create shortcuts for frequently used phrases or sentences. This is particularly useful for repetitive tasks like addressing emails or inserting boilerplate text.
IV. Post-Drafting & Revision – Efficient Polishing
Even speed writers need to revise.
- Take a Break Before Revising: Distance yourself from your writing for at least a few hours, ideally overnight. This allows you to approach it with fresh eyes.
- Read Aloud: Reading your work aloud helps you catch awkward phrasing, grammatical errors, and inconsistencies.
- Focus on One Thing at a Time: Don’t try to edit for everything at once. First, focus on structure and clarity. Then, tackle grammar and spelling. Finally, refine your style.
- Utilize Grammar & Style Checkers (with caution): Tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid can be helpful, but don’t rely on them blindly. Always review their suggestions critically.
The Key Takeaway: Faster writing isn’t about being a literary savant; it’s about building consistent, effective habits. Experiment with these techniques, find what works best for you, and remember that practice makes perfect. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Consistency is key.
You can find more resources and personalized coaching on my website: [Insert fictional website here – e.g., www.eleanorvancewriting.com]
What Habits Help You Write Faster? – FAQ
Q: Do you outline before you start writing?
A: Absolutely! Outlining, even a quick one, provides a roadmap, preventing writer’s block and ensuring a logical flow, ultimately speeding up the drafting process. It reduces time spent revising structure later.
Q: Do you set a timer for writing sessions?
A: Yes, using the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes writing, 5 minutes break) is incredibly effective. It creates a sense of urgency and focuses attention, boosting productivity in short bursts.
Q: Do you edit while you write the first draft?
A: No, avoid editing during the first draft! Focus solely on getting your ideas down; editing slows you down and disrupts the creative flow. Save editing for a separate stage.
Q: Do you have a dedicated writing space?
A: Yes, a consistent, distraction-free workspace signals to your brain it’s “writing time.” This minimizes mental switching costs and allows for quicker immersion in the task.
Q: Do you practice “free writing” regularly?
A: Regularly! Free writing, where you write continuously for a set time without self-censorship, builds writing fluency and overcomes initial inertia. It’s a great warm-up.
Q: Do you use keyboard shortcuts or dictation software?
A: Both! Keyboard shortcuts for formatting and common tasks save significant time, and dictation can be faster than typing for some, especially for initial drafts. Explore what works best for you.
Q: Do you research before you start writing, or as you go?
A: Primarily before. Batching research upfront prevents constant interruptions during the drafting process. Having information readily available keeps momentum going.
Sources
- Lamott, Anne. *Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life*. New York: Pantheon, 1994.
- Newport, Cal. *Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World*. New York: Grand Central Publishing, 2016.
- “How to Overcome Writer’s Block.” *Psychology Today* – psychologytoday.com, 2023.
- Allen, David. “Getting Things Done.” *David Allen Company* – davidallencompany.com, accessed October 26, 2023.
