How to Write FASTER
- Jenna Moreci
- Mar 25
- 6 min read
HelloOoOo everybody!
If you've been following me on Instagram, you'll know that I recently wrote over 70,000 words of my current manuscript in less than two months. This was while managing my business, handling beta reviews for The Savior's Army, being a caregiver, managing multiple doctor appointments a week, as well as every other basic task that people got to do throughout the day.
For me, this is a lot of writing. Obviously, productivity and word count vary from person to person depending on their lifestyle. But personally, I've never written this many words in such a short period of time. So now seems like a good time for me to share my secrets for writing faster. If you're trying to put words on the page but you're only getting a couple of paragraphs per sitting, this post is for you!
This video is sponsored by PROSEWRITE. As always, all opinions are my own.
If you haven’t already, don’t forget to also subscribe to my YouTube channel for more writing tips, sarcasm, and of course, more of Princess Butters!
Number 1: Start With Writing Goals and Deadlines
If you’re going the traditional publishing route this option is usually handled for you. Your agent or editor will typically impose deadlines on you, and you have to follow them, or else you run the risk of losing your contract. But if you're going the self-publishing route, it's great to create your own personal deadlines or at the very least, goals and benchmarks that you aim to meet. I create quarterly writing goals, which are writing, marketing, and publishing goals that I aim to reach within the next three months. This is the perfect amount of time because it's not so long that you forget about the goals, but not so short that you feel stressed. You’ve got just the right amount of wiggle room to be productive while still having a life.
I also recommend creating goals and benchmarks on a weekly basis. This in particular has helped me be way more productive with my writing. At the start of each week, I take a look at all the appointments and obligations that I have set in stone. Then I map out available blocks of time for the sole purpose of writing. This allows me to account for the day-to-day realities of life while still making time to write. I weave my writing sessions around obligations so that I still have room for both.
Number 2: Dictation
If you're not near a keyboard, if you're disabled or on the go, or even if you're just not a fast typist, dictation can help you get way more words on the page really fast. The biggest complaint I've seen about using dictation is all the mistakes and errors left on the page. So if you're going to dictate your story and you want help to eliminate this issue, I recommend ProseWrite.
And on that note, a huge thank you to ProseWrite for sponsoring today's post. ProseWrite is an intuitive dictation and editing tool designed to streamline the writing process for a diverse range of writers. From genre fiction authors to journal writers and professionals. It's designed to help writers stay in their creativity flow without interruptions, maintain affordability, and, even better, handle editing seamlessly.
ProseWrite edges out the competition because it's focused on flow-state writing. It eliminates the need to speak punctuation. You can focus entirely on your ideas and stay in the zone. It also offers automatic editing, which saves you time on manual cleanup. Plus, it has awesome organizational tools. With its project chapter system, ProseWrite helps writers easily manage multiple projects, chapters, and sections, which creates a super smooth and cohesive workflow. Because ProseWrite handles transcriptions and edits in real time, you could potentially pump out a ton of words in a really short amount of time. It's adaptable across different types of writing, and it's designed to be budget-friendly.
If you want to whip out a ton of content but don't want to have to pause for punctuation or typing, check out ProseWrite today. Right now, you can get one hour of free dictation time. And don't forget to follow @PROSEWRITE for tips, updates, and special offers.
Number 3: Writing Sprints
If you're the type of person who has a really hectic and unpredictable life, or you get distracted really easily, writing sprints are a game changer. A writing sprint is when you set the timer for a specific amount of time, usually between 15 and 30 minutes, and you write as many words as possible during that time frame. I usually aim for 20 minutes.
Writing sprints works for several reasons. First of all, as we already covered, deadlines tend to light a fire under your ass and a writing sprint is basically a super quick deadline. Additionally, they force you to ignore your inner editor. There's no time for nitpicking because you only got 20 minutes. On a similar note, you can't read what you're writing during a writing sprint. And reading what you're writing while you’re writing, is the quickest way to derail your productivity. Seriously, don't do it!
Lastly, writing sprints are typically run in a group, so more than one writer is working side by side on their individual manuscripts. The sense of community is motivating. The support is validating. Plus, you have accountability. I host writing sprint livestreams every Monday on my YouTube channel, so if you want a community of writers to get you motivated, you know where to find me!
Number 4: Learn Your Ideal Workstation
Sometimes we have no control over our workstations. Some people write on the train to and from work. Sometimes I have to write in hospital waiting rooms. But when you do have control over your conditions, make sure your workspace is ideal for your particular writing process. Some people say “eliminate distractions,” “play music,” or “sit at a desk.” But this is all subjective.
Your workstation needs to be catered to you. I don't feel comfortable working at a desk. It's not the best workspace for me. Instead, I prefer writing in bed. And when I write in bed, I’m able to pump out thousands of words.
Some people need music when they write. Others need complete silence. Some need to have their Wi-Fi turned off to eliminate all internet distractions. Some people reward themselves with a short YouTube video after every scene completed.
The point is, that you need to learn the system that works best for you. Not the system that allows you to dick around the most, but the system that allows you the greatest amount of productivity. For me, that means writing in bed, creating a reward system, a big bottle of water, and my dog at my side cheering me on.
Number 5: Outline
I know you don't want to hear it. I know people are going to make a fuss in the comments. But I'm going to say it anyway because it's the goddamn truth. Writers who outline typically finish their novels way faster than writers who figure things out as they go along, and there are a few reasons for this.
First, outlining helps you potentially reduce and even eliminate writer’s block. Because with an outline, you usually always know what you need to write next. Second, when you outline your novel, you're given a bird's eye view of your overall story. That means you can work out any plot holes or inconsistencies before you even begin drafting. This also means your overall writing flow will be a lot smoother and have fewer hangups. And lastly, once you finish your first draft the editing process will be much quicker. You'll have fewer rewrites, less filler, and fewer meandering plot lines because you followed your outline.
Of course, outlining is not for everyone. There is no one writing process that suits every single writer. But most writers benefit from outlining, and it will definitely make the process a hell of a lot faster.
So that's all I've got for you today!
Thank you again to ProseWrite for sponsoring this post, and if you’re in need of reliable and efficient dictation software, check ProseWrite out today!
*This post is sponsored by ProseWrte. As always, all opinions are my own.
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Great tips on boosting writing productivity! The goal-setting and writing sprints are awesome. It’s like how CV specialists help you streamline your job search clear goals lead to better results. Thanks for sharing these helpful strategies
I love the idea of planning out writing sessions around life’s obligations. I always feel like I don’t have time, but maybe I just need to be more strategic. Snake Game dares you to guide a snake through a food frenzy without tying yourself in knots.