by Susan Fenn

Created on: October 23, 2009

Writers rely on many talents to complete their work. One of which is their speed and efficiency for getting their thoughts out of their mind and onto paper or the computer screen. There are many ways this can be attained, some of which include organization, a structured writing routine, warm-ups, goal setting and rest.

1. Set a structured writing routine

The best way to increase your productivity as a writer is to set a routine. Some writers are more creative at the start of their day and some in the middle of the night. For the rest of us, we have to make do when our lives allow us. The trick is to find two hours a day. Think you can't do it? Try setting your alarm for two hours earlier. Not a morning person? Stay up two hours later and designate it "Writing Time". This is not check email, make a pot of coffee, put away the dishes, channel surf, or bake cookies time. It is strictly writing time.

2. Organize

You don't need a full sized metal filing cabinet to be organized. Pick up a small crate from Office Max, Office Depot, BJs, or even Wal-mart and a package of file folders and hanging file holders. Give each story, poem, article, etc. its own file folder and holder. If writers block strikes during your writing time you can grab another idea. Index cards are very helpful or individual notebooks with character descriptions, scene settings, and a plot outline. The index cards and notebooks take your base thoughts and put them at your finger tips so you can focus on your writing and getting as much typed as possible.

3. Set a goal

Setting a goal of a number of words per day increases your motivation to type. For instance if you're participating in Nanowrimo you know you'll have to write roughly 1667 words a day to reach your 50,000 words in a month. Even if you're not participating in Nanowrimo you should still have a word count goal. If you want to write 4 articles per day and your average article is 550 words you would need to type 1100 words an hour to reach your 4 article goal in two hours. If word counts don't motivate you, use a page count. Looking to write a that same 50,000 word novel in November, but you don't like word counts you can assume that each page holds roughly 200 words (double spaced, courier new font). To reach your 1667 daily word count you would need to type 8 to 9 pages every day.

4. Warm-Ups

When you're trying to increase your speed and your brain is half asleep you might need to invest some of your time with a boost to your creativity. This can be achieved many ways. Get a kitchen timer and your internet search bar. Type writing prompts, and pick one that you like. This part can be done ahead of time so you're not wasting your writing time with internet searches. Pick a prompt, set your timer to ten minutes and write. Anything you write during this time is to allow your brain to warm up to the idea of writing.

5. Rest

Resting may not seem like a tip to writing faster, but if you try to write every single day you're going to hit a mental wall. Your mind (and ideas) need time to rest and recharge. If humans didn't need times of rest employers wouldn't be required to give them days off. If you feel that you must push forward with your writing, give yourself a day for editing instead of writing. You could plot your next set of articles or create a chapter or character outline.

Focusing on organization, structured writing, goal setting, warming up and resting will allow you to write faster. From beginners to novices writing faster is a skill attainable by all writers.

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