Three Ways to Give Your Writing Speed a Boost

Not everyone can write as fast as Stephen KingI do. I know that may seem strange but it seems
or Dean Koontz but there are techniques that canto me my hand does all the thinking.
help give your wriitng speed a boost. But first, IBefore I start writing, though, I close my eyes
need to explain a few things before we can getand relax. Then I let my pen do all the work. If I
to that point.like what I've written, it stays. If I don't, it goes.
First of all, you need to spend some time on theSimple as that. I go back later and make all the
process of writing itself. In other words, you neednecessary changes.
to know the basics because a lot of writers willWhile you're doing this, you want to keep writing
use whatever strategy that is comfortable forand try not to stop for anything. Don't think and
them. Once they figured it out and worked ondon't edit your work until your piece is done.
this strategy, they can take this knowledge andEditing comes later.
run with it. They soon begin to write like theirAnother technique is dictation. You use a dictating
lives depend on it. For some it, does.device or a voice recorder and record your
Most writers have a deadline and it is an absolutewritten material. You then go back, open your
must for them to keep it if they want to gethfavorite word processor than play it back so you
their money on time and be able to keep theircan type everything out. I only tried this one
jobs. For others, they need to write a certainbecause I like handwriting better. It's more
number of articles for that month because if theirefficient for me I think. Besides, I worry too
contract states they need to have a certainmuch about having to rewind just to get the
number of articles submitted on a certain dateparts I missed.
then that is what they're getting paid for.I haven't heard about this until a friend of mine
As you can see, these writers have no choice butmentioned it to me while I was discussing the
to write fast.possibilities that someday we might be able to
So if you want to learn how to write fast, I willplug our minds into the computer so when the
show you a few techniques I think may help you.computer senses what we're thinking the words
Some of these techniques I've used myself andwill pick up on the screen. I don't know if this will
are beneficial to maintaining your goal.ever happen or if it has happened but it sounded
One technique I use is cursive writing with apretty good to me. Anyway, she said there are
smooth flowing pen and I happen to like twosome computers that have a voice recognition
types of pens. The Pilot G-2 and the world's firstsoftware program built into the computer and all
Sharpie pen. I like how these pens feel when I'myou do is record your written material into the
writing and the ink is fast and they don't skip likebuilt in microphone. While it plays your voice back
regular ballpoint pens do. I don't use anything else.you can type everything into your word
If you get a chance and have a few extra bucksprocessor. I have this on my Presario but I
to spare give them a try sometime. You mighthaven't had time to mess around with it.
see why I like them. Or better yet, try differentSo the bottom line is this. Give each of these
pens and pick out the ones you like best.techniques a try and if you happen to fall in love
With cursive writing, and of course, the right pen,with one of them, stick with it, and with a little
I can fly right along the page. It seems my handpractice, your writing speed will increase in no
knows what my mind wants to say even beforetime at all.