by Marilla Mulwane

Created on: November 30, 2009

The truth of the matter is, the more articles you write in a day the more money you are going to make. Also, the more accomplished and productive you are going to feel. Some days, you just sit at the computer and get very little done and then feel bad about it later. It is possible to write a lot of articles quickly, and still end up with time left over to do what you want for fun.

-Plan ahead-

The night before, take a little while to figure out what you want to write. If this is for Helium, search for the titles you want and write them down. If this is for other places or magazines, write down the topics you are interested in or that they are looking for. It might even help to list the articles by how easy they are to write. The harder articles to write, that require a lot of research, should probably be written first. The easier ones, that take little effort, can be written when you are getting tired at the end and will not need to think as hard. If you have the time, it is a really good idea to do your research ahead of time, too. Keep links to information favorited, or books marked at the pages you need.

Keep this list beside your computer. Do not forget a pen to cross them off as you go. The quicker you can cross them off the list, the closer you are to being finished.

-Ready your writing area-

Whatever you need for essentials, make sure you have them all before you start writing. Check them off in your mind. Computer? Got it. List? Check. Caffeine or other drink? Good to go. Music? Playing.

By gathering everything right from the beginning, you will not have to stop writing to go and fetch it. This saves time and keeps your mind focused on your work.

-Subtract distractions-

Make sure you are writing somewhere that will give you little distractions. Anything that you know will make you lose your train of thought should not be around you. If you are drawn to shiny things, move it away. Tell your loved ones to only disturb you in an emergency, and opening the peanut butter jar is not an emergency. Keeping distractions away will keep you focused on the work ahead.

-Write, write, write-

Write every article on your list before you even think of submitting them. Once you finish the first topic on your list, save it, cross it off, and begin the next one. Keep going until every article is written. If you stop to submit an article once you have written it, you shut off your mind to the writing process, and risk distracting yourself once you open that pretty little internet page. However, if an article is time sensitive, then ignore this and go ahead and submit it.

-Finish up and relax-

Once every article is written you can submit them, or ready them to be mailed. Once done, you can breathe easier and pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Then go ahead and plan for the next day.

Learn more about this author, Marilla Mulwane.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.