(Approx 8 minute read)
In a previous article, I discussed the benefits of Fast Writing (both what it is and why it’s awesome sauce!) Now, I’d like to share the “how” behind this technique…
(Previously published in the June 2024 issue of Killer Nashville Magazine).
The “How” of Fast Writing
- You need a plan
Yes—YOU! You need one. Period. Whether you’re a pantser, plotter, or plantser, one of the most effective ways to write fast is to have an outline. And before you throw a fit about outlines…ultimately, whatever process works best for you is what you should stick with.
Can you speed through a 50,000+ word first draft with no outline and only an idea in your brain? Absolutely. Just because I don’t, or some people find that difficult, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t if you can. However, it does make it a lot easier to provide direction and can help avoid writer’s block if you get stuck somewhere along the way. But it’s not impossible. So yes, this method can work for everyone. However, I still suggest creating an outline. It does NOT need to comprise an elaborate blue print with character worksheets and maps and a play-by-play of every action. But it should at least include a basic 3-act structure. What happens in the beginning? How do things get harder in the middle—what’s the big setback/challenge? And how does it end? You can do this at the beginning, before writing, or you can do it during your writing. Just keep a notebook or other document open on your screen and note what happens in each chapter as you go. This way, when you get to the end, you can review it and see if the structure still makes sense. Or, if you get stuck somewhere along the way, you can review the outline and see if it still makes sense, if you should take a different turn somewhere, or if you notice a pattern or theme emerge that will help you decide what happens next. Whatever the case, a guideline of some sort will only help, not hinder, your progress as you sprint toward “The End.”
2. Figure out how long it will take
Like with any goal, this will require dedicated time, energy, and discipline. Try this exercise to see how long it might take you to complete a novel:
- Set aside an hour where you know you will not be interrupted (turn off your phone/TV, etc…). Lock yourself in a room and ensure you have everything you need (water, coffee, etc)
- Prep your computer (or notebook/pen) and set yourself up however you prefer to write
- Have a timer ready and set to go off at one (1) hour
- Start the timer and write for an hour. You can write about anything you want, but preferably in the genre you enjoy most (or are most comfortable writing in). You can use a prompt book or prompt generator to get you started. Here are a couple of good ones:
- The Nudge: https://thorncraftpublishing.com/nudge#305d26da-b9cd-4d7d-859d-48335e22ff02
- The 3AM Epiphany: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/263288.The_3_A_M_Epiphany
- Reedsy Writing Exercises: https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-exercises/
- The only rule is DO NOT STOP! If you must (such as, all that coffee you chugged before starting just hit your bladder something fierce), pause the timer and restart as soon as possible. But overall, focus on getting as many words on paper as possible
- At the hour mark, check your word count. Most programs will have a word counter built in, but if doing this by hand, you’ll need to physically count the words
If you’re able to do this 3 times, whether the same day or on 3 separate days, you should have a good average number for your “hourly word count average.” Doing so on 3 separate days will provide a more accurate number, mainly because, if you have one superb day with 3 hours to spare, the words you knock out might not reflect your average word count…thus, spreading out your days will give you a more accurate picture.
My average word count in one hour, without too many breaks, is about 1500-2000 words. Some days are better than others, but that’s about what I’ve been able to achieve. I’m not throwing this out there as a comparison—if you can do much more, that’s awesome! If you came up with much less—no worries! If it’s your goal to achieve a higher word count average in an hour, there’s no better time to practice than now while writing your next book. ( ;
3. Schedule your writing time
Once you’ve got an idea of how many words you can achieve in an hour (give or take), divide that by the word count goal for your book.
Example: 80,000 / 1500 (avg hrly words) = 53.3 hours.
For the sake of keeping this simple, let’s say it takes 54 hours for you to write an 80,000-word rough draft. Now all you need to do is look at your schedule and find 54 hours. Easy peasy.
Okay, so it’s not that peasy. For some people who are currently adulting (i.e., work full-time care for littles, and have overloads of responsibilities, like moi), 54 hours can seem overwhelming. But I guarantee you, it’s not as bad as you think. I’ll bet you can find time to squeeze it in amidst the daily grind. Do you commute to work by train or bus? You could write during that time. Maybe during lunch break? How about after the kids are tucked in? As you study your daily habits and the average day-to-day schedule, you’ll likely find places where you could substitute an activity for writing. If you binge-watch Netflix shows for 4 hours on a Saturday night, cut that to 2 hours and spend the other 2 on writing. Is it possible to eat with plastic forks and paper plates for a little bit? Not great for the environment, but it’ll save you time on dishes. Can you hire someone to mow your lawn for a couple months? How about a babysitter? I know it’s not always affordable to do things like this, but if you can, it might be a worthwhile investment.
The best way I’ve found to look for those extra nuggets of time is through a “time budget.” I recorded everything I did for 2 weeks straight, then sat down with my record and sifted through the hours to find where I had bits of spare time and what I could sacrifice (at least, short-term) to get through the draft. I can always pick back up where I left off with cleaning or other “lesser” chores once the draft is done and cooling off.
Grab a notebook and record your day in 1/2 hour increments for at least 2 weeks. Do not do this while you’re on vacation or if you’ve got an unusual situation going on (i.e., the one week that work is insanely busy and you’re working extra hours). Pick 2 weeks in a row or just 2 at random throughout the course of a month or two to get the most accurate picture of your day-to-day. Then hunt down those nuggets of time: I think you’ll be surprised to find there’s more available than you think.
4. Use all the tools (or none of them)
Consider doing word count sprints. Or using a Pomodoro timer while you write. Bribe yourself with treats when you hit word count goals! Example: Once I make it to 30,000 words, I’m getting an hour-long massage. / For every 5,000 words I hit, I’m eating a chocolate chip cookie.
5. Support
Having others support you and your goals is always important. And I hope you have those people in your life. Tell your close friends, your spouse, your kids, etc., that you’re working to accomplish this goal of finishing a rough draft. Doing so will give you accountability, but also (hopefully) show those around you that you’re not ignoring them when you turn down a lunch date or night out. Rather, you’re working hard to complete a project that has a lot of meaning to you.
This doesn’t mean you should isolate yourself from everyone and neglect your family (and if you’re Googling things like “At what age can small kids be left alone before social services intervenes?” Then you might need to rethink some priorities…). But overall, you’ll likely turn down invites you wouldn’t normally, or be less available during the time you’re focused on speeding through a first draft. It’s good for those who care about you to know what you’re up to. After all, they may be your greatest cheerleaders along the way.
Self-care is another important focus here. It’s easy to lose sight of everything else when you’re hyper-focused on something. But don’t forget to get up, stretch, go for a walk, hit the gym, and take breaks as needed! Your body will thank you for it. If you’re writing the entire draft by hand (bless you), you’ll want to do regular wrist-stretching exercises to avoid writer’s cramp. (In fact, you may want to do these for long periods of typing too…). If you need to schedule in these breaks, then by all means, do so!
If you’ve stuck around for this long, you might be thinking “Hey! Maybe I can do this!” And yes, the answer is absolutely 100% you can. You’ve got the what, the why, and the how. Up next: WHEN and WHERE to Fast Write.