Write Fast as a Speeding Racer!
Falling in love with writing doesn’t need to take a lot of time. It can happen fast.
I’ll get right to the point - since this post is about writing FAST, I won’t waste words!
Write often.
Write fast.
Do quick writes.
What are quick writes?
Write without stopping for 10 to 15 minutes - or even less (Linda Rief suggests only a few mintues, but I’m not even that fast!).
Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation, or grammar.
Keep your pen or pencil moving.
If you get stuck, write I’m stuck I’m stuck I’m stuck until you aren’t anymore. (You can always cross out the I’m stucks later.)
You just need a big dose of believing that crummy writing leads to good writing. The more you practice, the more you’ll see this is true.
Quick writes help you fall in love with writing for a few reasons:
They fit into the tiny open spaces in your schedule.
They build writing stamina. It’s like stretching before a long run, warming up those writing muscles.
Writing fasts helps you outrun the hyper-critical internal censor that says things like, “That word isn’t right. Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
If you want to publish a piece in The New Yorker, make sure that critical voice is screaming loud and clear, but let yourself fall in love with writing first. Tell that voice to simmer down until you’re ready to listen.
Quick writes are wild and raw, and that’s good for humans who are working so hard to do all the right things in our precious days. Live on the edge, Friends. Write fast and loose. Oh la la.
“Raw, unmanicured writing can help us rediscover that power of writing that is personal, passionate, joyful, whimsical, playful, and infused with choice, humor and voice.”
Remember, just like you don’t have to run a marathon to get the benefits of running, you don’t have to write a novel to know what it feels like to love writing.
Regular ten minute sprints are often enough.
Always writing - super fast,
Lorrie
P.S. You can also find great writing ideas in Linda Rief’s book called The Quickwrite Handbook.
