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5 Tips For Writing Faster

By Jim Symcox on Oct 3, 2007 in blogging, web development, Writing

Effective use of your writing time is key for almost anyone involved in marketing. So it was very useful to see Michael Stelzner’s list of 5 useful tips for making your writing time more effective.

So with the aim of reminding myself and helping others I’ve compiled a further 5 tips to help you write.

#6 – Start Before You Write

Preparation is one of the keys to making the best possible use of your writing zone.

So, before your writing zone time starts make sure you’ve listed out everything that’s in your head. So that means creating or amending your to do lists. If your zone starts at 9am like Michael’s it’s better to write your to do list the previous night and then add on the very few thoughts you have in the morning.

#7 – Bank Inspiration

Any writer needs some inspiration at one time or another. With blogging or copywriting you can easily come across other posts or marketing materials that make you go Ah-Ha! Put those away in a special place and take them out if inspiration dries up.

#8 – Don’t Avoid Sidetracks

When I’m writing I can suddenly find that I’ve an idea for another article, post or other piece copy. Recognise it’s an interruption and deal with it by quickly noting it down and returning to your other writing. I use TextPad to note down everything and it means that when I come back to my writing I’m not continually wondering (a) whether I’ll remember the idea or (b) what I should write into it.

#9 – Give Yourself A Deadline

Whatever you write give yourself a deadline. That is if you’re writing an article write down the article title/working title and put down the date you’ll have completed it by.

This is part of pre-planning your work week. Your subconscious then piles on sufficient pressure to make you undertake your task and (usually) complete it by the deadline.

And by the way, your subconscious doesn’t know the difference between a completely made up deadline or one imposed by your client or your editor!

#10 – Edit Afterwards

When you’re writing don’t worry too much about grammar, spellings or structure just let the flow of your ideas spread across the page. Maybe you’ve a tendency to be long-winded and you know your pieces should be shorter. Or you use too much jargon. Whatever, your normal excuse for editing is realise it’s an excuse and just write and write some more.

Once your zone time is finished…

Then you can edit. Although don’t edit out the passion or creativity. Simply bring in a little more structure, make sure spellings are correct and grammar is reasonable.

LiveJournal tags: Writing Tips, Copywriting, Writers, Michael Stelzner, Problogger