Four Tips to Help You Write Faster

Sometimes, I think that some people were born with the skill of writing quickly. I think that I am a decent writer in terms of speed, but there are moments when I really feel that I have to work faster. This is especially true when deadlines are looming, and I feel the pressure as if there were someone breathing down my neck.

Throughout my many years of writing for clients, this pressure has never totally gone away. I have, however, learned how to manage it and have learned how to write faster when the need arises.

If you feel that you need to learn how to write faster, take a closer look at this hub. It might just help you.

This is the foundation on which the speed of your writing will depend upon, and as with all other foundations, your knowledge should be as strong as possible. Only then can you go along that path as fast as you possibly can.

When I use the word "know", I mean a couple of things.

One, you need to have a clear idea of the message that you want to get across. For example, before I started writing this hub, I had to decide my main topic and the angle I was going to take: practical tips on how to write faster.

Two, you need to make sure that you have enough information about your topic. For certain topics, stock knowledge and experience will be enough. This is the case for this particular hub. If, however, you are writing for a client who wants an article on, for example, cloud storage, then you will have to do some legwork. This brings us to the next tip.

Legwork can entail different things, but in my case, I have learned to always rely on two things.

One, make sure you do your research. This means read, read, and read some more. Read up on the topic. Read up on the client. If you are really short on time, develop skimming and scanning skills. They will come in very handy.

Two, make an outline of your article. You can either actually write a detailed outline, or you can do it in your head. Obviously, the second method is faster, but it may not be as reliable if you're not used to it. The important thing is you know where you're going with your article and that you have a guide to follow. You might be surprised at how this simple thing can make writing so much faster!

Once you're done with the outline, you're good to go. All you really need to do is write. With the flow of the article clearly written out - or mapped out in your head - the writing process will go much faster for you.

In addition to the idea of just jumping into the writing waters, though, you also have to see this tip from another angle. You know how they say practice makes perfect? It really does!

Why don't you try this? Even if you are not pressed for time, and you have the luxury of sitting in front of your laptop for hours for a 500-word article, why don't you make it a point to write as fast as you can? Of course, that does not mean sacrificing quality, but the idea of practicing how to write fast when you do not have to will help you develop the skill immensely.

Here's one last tip for good measure: Focus.

It's such a simple word, but it can take a lot from a writer. It can also do you a world of good.

You may not want to admit it to yourself, but multitasking can get the better of you - and it probably does. Why don't you try writing one article with no apps and programs like Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and Yahoo Messenger on? Shut them all down just for that one article. See how much time you can shave off your writing.

If you are really serious about writing faster, then it's time to consider turning off all distractions when you're on a mission.