There’s something I noticed – I’m getting fast.
At writing, I mean.
Not the mechanical act – I’m still a lousy typist.
The writing, getting the ideas on paper, has become easier.

In the last 24 hours I did the main research and put down the core 5000 words for a short pulpy historical essay I hope I’ll publish by the end of the month, I hammered out 750 words of a story I’d like to pitch to a very hard market overseas, and wrote the detailed synopsis and outline for two novels I’m trying to place with another publisher.

Plus this post – that is very short – and another, longer one for my Italian blog.

Now yes, I know – being fast does not equal being good.
But it helps, it helps a lot.

I do not doubt that my experience as an academical researcher was quite a good training – in academia deadlines sort of sneak upon you.
But nothing equals the hours of practice I got by keeping two blogs.
Time being a scarce commodity, writing one post per day for my Italian blog has taught me a certain technique – that is not necessarily art, but allows me to write 1000 good words in half an hour, without sacrificing clarity, or a minimum of style.

Another excellent resource was Rachel Aaron’s 2000 to 10000, Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love, a short and highly entertaining essay on writing fast and writing – hopefully – good.
Aaron’s book is highly recommended – but nothing beats practice.

Now the only problem is my aching hands at the end of the day.
I’ll have to find a remedy – and then write a post about it.

Related articles

• Write Faster to Work Better: 5 Essential Tips (make use of)