We’ve all experienced something like this before. You had a writing deadline to chase, and so you decided to take the initiative in starting it off. You sat down on your office chair, opened up your software, and pondered for a few minutes; nothing. You found yourself straining after the first few paragraphs at a pace you’re not so proud of.

It should be every author’s goal to be able to write faster and write better because it allows them to optimize the writing process by increasing the amount of output within a shorter period of time. With that in mind, here is a helpful list to make your writing fast!

8 Strategies to Help You Write Faster and Write Better

If you want to be able to finish output quickly, you need to utilize some strategies. These 8 simple techniques are designed to accelerate your workflow and increase your productivity!

1. Minimize your distractions

Let’s be honest. Anybody would be torn to start any form of strenuous labor with a cluttered mind. Your phone is Pleasure Island; full of many temptations. You have several other agendas to think about at the side. Not to mention, you’re probably working on a computer, which gives access to several other distractions on its own. 

If you want to be writing fast, it’s best to set aside the material things that tie down our pace. This would include those objects mentioned, as well as unhelpful impulsive thoughts that could ruin your concentration. Increase your productivity by turning your phone off, keeping your mind clear, and focusing on the task at hand. 

2. Start with a warm-up

Most works of art often start with a blank white slate; full of potential waiting to happen. While it could mean many possibilities, it can be daunting for a writer. To better prepare yourself for writing fast, consider “stretching your writing muscles” with a good warm-up!

One thing you can try out is opening a new blank document and writing every single piece of gibberish that comes to mind. Write about your current ideas, no matter how nonsensical they may be. The point of this exercise is to better orient yourself with your workstation before finally starting your work.

3. Write like how you speak 

You can argue that speaking and writing have a slight intersection in terms of the way we articulate words. Both disciplines make use of “bridging the gap” between our thoughts and reality in order to convey our ideas to others. 

The difference between the two lies in their ease of action. It doesn’t take much to utter a few sentences and start a conversation. Writing, however, has the extra burden of being purely visual and structured, adding an extra element of care and precision. If you start writing like the way you speak, you are trading off meticulousness in favor of spontaneity and speed, but that’s not a bad thing! You can write faster and write better using your quick flow of words and then, editing your output afterward. 

4. Set a timer for yourself

Parkinson’s Law states that “work expands to fill the time allotted for its completion.” If your document was tasked to be completed at a specific deadline, it is often helpful to remind yourself of this limited time frame. You might remember yourself having that extreme rush of adrenaline and writing fast to finish that school essay. That same phenomenon can also give you power. 

What’s great about deadlines is that they can be set in smaller increments. Using a timer is a great way of adding small hints of pressure, allowing you to meet a small goal in a certain amount of time. The Pomodoro technique is a time-management method designed to challenge a person to be productive within a 25-minute span, followed by a short break. Timing yourself is a great way of being conscious of your speed if you want to write faster and write better. 

5. Divide your workload

Procrastination is your enemy, but sometimes being overwhelmed can be worse. Every part of you understands that you cannot finish a big writing project in one sitting. It’s easy to be discouraged about getting started with a task when there’s simply too much to work on, but the fact of the matter is, you have to start somewhere. If the workload is too much, don’t be afraid to cut it up into smaller pieces!

For instance, you can decide that you’ll finish the introduction in one hour and start on the first chapter later, giving ample time for you to rest in between while still being able to increase your productivity. Through this method, a huge workload wouldn’t seem too daunting and you can even watch yourself accomplish it one step at a time. 

6. Take frequent breaks

As mentioned in the previous tip, it is beneficial for you to cut the writing process into smaller parts. It is also effective when it is accompanied by frequent breaks away from your work environment. Too much work can wear anyone out easily and forcing yourself to produce a document may lead to writer’s block. 

It is important to note that resting isn’t a means of slacking off, but rather an essential action to help you increase your productivity. Taking short walks outside or having that sip of coffee can help you rest your mind and help you tackle your work with a fresh perspective.

7. Specify your goals and aim for them

What is your aim after you’re ready to step away from your computer? The thing is, we are often not aware of what our personal goals are but it is so much easier if we have a target to aim at. When writing fast in order to meet a short stretch of time, you should specify these goals so that you can stick to them as much as possible. It’s something for your mind to hold on to so that it doesn’t stray away from your main ideas or get distracted by any other means. 

One good way to specify your goals in writing is to create an outline highlight the various ideas you wish to communicate within your paragraphs. You can also add notes to yourself, just to make sure everything falls into place. Listing down these bits of information in the form of an outline doesn’t only increase your productivity, but also guides you throughout your entire process.

8. Saving editing for last

It often takes time to get in the mood to write faster and write better. Once the motion starts, it has to be kept rolling. When a writer hits that perfect balance of interest, difficulty, and satisfaction in creating a product, there is hardly ever an urge to stop. This mode of productivity is known to some as “the flow state” and it is a great way to increase your productivity.

Editing your work takes time, and it often pauses your train of thought to restructure your words. To maximize the benefits of your flow state, consider writing as much as you can and save the editing and proofreading for later.

On a Final Note

We were able to share a few of our little tips and tricks on how to put a little speed to our productivity. We hope all aspiring writers out there will be able to use these techniques for their academic, work-related, or recreational purposes. Best of luck to all of you out there, and happy writing!