Struggling to overcome editorial paralysis and write at a snail’s pace? Discover ten practical tips on how to write faster and boost your efficiency, from embracing rough drafts to leveraging AI tools.

Have you ever sat across from a friend, having a deep conversation about life’s beginnings and what truly ignites our passions? Just recently, I did exactly that with an old friend. We unraveled the threads of motivation and fulfillment, sharing our journeys – his in art school, mine in blog writing. Through our conversation, we discovered a shared drive, a passion that propels us forward. But it’s not just about the initial spark; it’s about questioning if our pursuits align with our long-term goals and where we envision ourselves in the coming years.

This conversation, touching on dreams and the realities of chasing them, naturally led me to think about the hurdles in my own writing journey. There’s a familiar struggle that many writers face – a sort of paralysis that sets in when we try to move from planning and ideas to actually putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) – editorial paralysis.

Just as this block slows down the speed of our writing, there is a struggle to move from planning to execution, that mirrors the broader dilemmas we face in pursuit of our passions. Let’s dive deeper into understanding and overcoming editorial paralysis, to keep our dreams and writing in harmonious motion that allows us to no longer be concerned with speed.

What is the Editorial Paralysis?

Editorial paralysis occurs when writers get so caught up in the idea of the final product that they struggle to make progress in the actual writing process. It’s not merely about facing a blank page but being overwhelmed by the expectations of the end goal—so much so that it stifles the initiation and flow of writing. This paralysis is a form of creative block where the fear of not meeting expectations or the pursuit of perfection hampers productivity and prevents writers from putting their thoughts down.

This state can be incredibly frustrating, leading to prolonged writing times and, in some cases, complete halts in the creative process. The anticipation of the outcome overshadows the journey of creation, making every word and sentence feel like a hurdle rather than a step forward.

While this subreddit on writing had a helpful discussion of how others move past this turning point, I believe that the key lies in addressing editorial paralysis head-on and adopting strategies designed to streamline the writing process.

By implementing the following 10 tips, writers can find their way out of the grips of editorial paralysis and back to a place where words flow freely, ideas flourish, and productivity thrives. These tips are not just about working faster; they’re about working smarter, breaking down the barriers that hold us back, and rediscovering the joy in every paragraph, page, and piece we create.

How to Write Faster: 10 Practical Tips to Improve Your Writing Speed

1. Embrace the Rough Draft

Perfectionism is the enemy of speed. Often, the desire to produce a flawless first draft leads to hours — if not days — of staring at a blank page. Here’s the secret: your first draft is allowed to be rough. It’s more important to get your ideas down on paper than to get them down perfectly. Remember, no one’s first draft is their final draft, not even yours.

A messy first draft serves as a brainstorm and can often illuminate connections between ideas you hadn’t noticed before. By allowing your thoughts to flow freely, you create a richer and more coherent narrative in the end.

Think of your first draft as a way to capture the skeleton of your piece. You’ll have plenty of time to add flesh and refine the details in subsequent passes. Stop editing, start typing — you’ll be amazed at the momentum you build.

This interesting Reddit thread has an exchange of opinions on how bad a first draft can be and why others personally think so. Perhaps hearing the perspectives of these other writers can give you the confidence to do the same.

2. Adopt the Use of “TK”

“TK” is shorthand used by journalists that stands for “to come,” signaling a placeholder for content that needs to be added, checked, or expanded later. Its uniqueness—being a rare combination of letters in English—makes it easy to search for in your document.

Incorporating “TK” into your writing process allows you to bypass the interruption of stopping mid-flow to research or refine a detail. Instead, by simply marking the spot with “TK” and a brief note on what’s missing, you can continue with your writing, preserving your creative or analytical momentum.

Matt Quirk an accomplished author known for his works such as The 500, The Directive, and Cold Barrel Zero, imparts the importance of storytelling with the use of TK, emphasizing its significance in refining your writing drafts.

“Use TK. This is the essential lubricant of the rough first draft. It’s a habit I learned from working as a reporter, but didn’t realize the novel-writing magic of it until I read this advice from Cory Doctorow. TK is an editing mark that means “to come” and is equivalent to leaving a blank or brackets in the text (It’s TK, not TC, because editorial marks are often misspelled intentionally so as not to confuse them with final copy: editors write graf and hed for paragraph and headline).”

Steven Pressfield – The Magic of TK

This method not only keeps you focused during the initial drafting phase but also streamlines subsequent research and revision. Once the draft is complete, searching for “TK” provides a clear list of specific tasks to tackle, making the editing process more efficient and ensuring that no detail is overlooked. Using “TK” effectively reduces the friction between ideation and completion, enabling a smoother, faster writing journey that prioritizes continuity and coherence.

3. Befriend the Timer

A timer can become your best friend in a world full of distractions. The Pomodoro Technique, a time management philosophy that advocates 25 minutes of focused work followed by a short break, can be particularly effective for writers. Set a timer and race against it.

Timers help you make a game out of writing, turning a potentially tedious task into a challenge with a clear endpoint. This can be a potent motivator and can fight off the sluggishness that can creep in during longer writing sessions. Remember, it’s not about the time you have, it’s about what you do with it.

4. Silence the Sirens of Distraction

Writers must sharpen their focus to cut through the constant digital noise. Turn off your phone, close the email tab, silence social media, and consider using noise-canceling headphones. The only voice you should be listening to is your own.

Eliminating digital distractions provides an undisturbed mental canvas onto which your thoughts can spill without interruption. The writing process becomes a meditative practice where you can become completely absorbed in your work.

5. Outline Like a Boss

Before you even click a single key, spend a few minutes crafting an outline. This step is non-negotiable. Just as a builder wouldn’t erect a house without a blueprint, a writer shouldn’t start a piece without a roadmap.

An outline keeps you on track and reduces the chances of getting lost down a research rabbit hole or veering off-topic. It also gives you a clear indication of what still needs to be written, making it easier to pick up where you left off after a break.

Crafting a successful outline begins with understanding what topics to address and identifying your target audience for the written content. Setting a clear objective would be the next step, but the process doesn’t end there. Refer to this LinkedIn post further for a more detailed guide on this said process.

6. Reward Yourself for Progress, Not Perfection

Celebrate your progress. By setting and acknowledging milestones, you provide tangible evidence of your productivity. This positive reinforcement can be a powerful motivational tool, reminding you that you’re moving forward, one word at a time.

Each word written is a small victory. By breaking the writing process into manageable chunks and acknowledging each part, you’re reinforcing the idea that consistent effort leads to success. It’s not about the finish line; it’s about the journey.

7. Fuel Your Creativity with Healthy Habits

A healthy writer is a productive writer. The quality and quantity of your writing can be influenced by your overall well-being. Eat well, exercise, get enough sleep, and you’ll find that your writing process becomes more efficient and enjoyable.

Nourishing your body and exercising your muscles can have a direct impact on the quality of your writing. A clear, healthy mind is a fertile ground for creative thinking. These habits can reduce stress and contribute to a sustainable writing routine.

Meet Judy Reeves, a renowned writer, teacher, and the author of “A Writer’s Book of Days” – recipient of the “Best Nonfiction” award from the San Diego Book Awards and showcased in “Hottest Books for Writers” by Writer’s Digest. Here, she reveals additional daily habits to enhance your writing skills and evolve to be quite a good writer.

8. Repurpose and Repurpose Again

Don’t let your content gather dust. One blog post can be repurposed into an infographic, a podcast, or a series of social media posts. This strategy not only maximizes the reach of your content but also saves time by leveraging material you’ve already written.

When you view your writing as a versatile tool that can serve multiple aims, you’ll see new potential in all your work. Each blog post or article can branch out into different formats and platforms, reaching new audiences and reinforcing your message in a variety of ways.

9. Find Your Writing Oasis

Identify a space that facilitates your best writing. It could be a quiet nook at home, a bustling coffee shop, or a serene library. Whatever your oasis, the physical setting can have a significant impact on your mental state and, by extension, your writing speed.

Our surroundings can either inspire or inhibit our creative flow. A designated writing space primes your mind for the task at hand, creating an associative pattern that signals “writing mode” as soon as you sit down.

10. Lean on AI Tools

AI tools are your multi-purpose allies in the writing journey, aiding far beyond just the drafting phase. They streamline the entire process, from initial brainstorming and research to organizing your thoughts and actually writing the content. Here’s how leveraging AI can enrich your writing experience:

Monica AI for Comprehensive Support: Think of Monica AI as your versatile Chrome extension that simplifies multiple tasks like searching, drafting, and translating directly from your browser. It’s a powerhouse for research, helping you effortlessly gather and sift through information, which is crucial for writing that demands depth and accuracy. Monica AI ensures that you spend more time crafting your narrative and less on the preliminary stages.

Jasper for Writing and More: Jasper is not just about nudging your creativity; it’s about creating substantial written works, including blogs, articles, and stories. Whether you’re looking to start a new piece or enhance what you’ve already got, Jasper offers real-time writing assistance, making it easier to bring your ideas to life.

Recall.ai for Organization and Accessibility: Recall.ai acts as your digital library, organizing your research, notes, and critical information in an accessible format. It’s ideal for writers who deal with extensive data, providing a structured way to recall information quickly, and ensuring your writing process is as efficient as possible.

By leaning on these AI tools, you’re not just speeding up your writing; you’re enhancing every aspect of it. They allow you to focus on the end goal—creating compelling, well-researched, and well-written content—while handling the heavy lifting in the background. Embrace these tools to make your writing process more seamless and productive.

Employing these ten strategies for faster writing can transform your process and output. But remember, speed isn’t the only goal; quality is just as important. Writing quickly need not come at the expense of writing well. By blending these tips with a conscientious approach to editing and revising, you can be both fast and fantastic. Now, go forth and write at the speed of creativity.

What’s Next

The future brings more possibilities with AI and digital tools advancing to transform writing, making it streamlined, efficient, and accessible. As writers in a tech-driven world, we need to adapt and thrive. What new writing tools or techniques are you eager to try? Which strategies do you think will be key for the future of writing?

Explore these possibilities by using some of the strategies and tools mentioned in this blog. Whether it’s setting clear goals, improving your writing environment, or trying out AI-supported writing, there are ways to enhance your process and write faster while maintaining quality.