Embracing “Write Fast Edit Later”
Written by Annette Elton
In a few posts I’ve talked about editing later as a means to write more quickly but also more effectively.
When you pause to edit your spelling and/or grammar you interrupt the thought process. It slows you down and has the potential to disrupt your flow and affect your content.
I’ve had many people mention that they struggle with this “Write fast, edit later” rule. It’s just too tough to implement. Editing as you write has become a habit. Consider, if you’re looking for more clarity in your writing and you want to write faster, trying this experiment.
How to Embrace the “Write Fast, Edit Later” Rule
#1 Grab a timer. It can be a noisy kitchen timer, a timer on your computer or your wrist watch. It just has to make noise.
#2 Gather your materials. Grab your content plan, your pen and paper or your computer. Gather together whatever you need to write your content.
#3 Open your document and get ready to write. Set the timer for 10-15 minutes if you’re writing an article or blog post. Longer if you’re writing a report or ebook. (Note you can give yourself a time limit per page or per chapter if you’re working on a report or ebook. Set the time for something that seems just a bit unrealistic but not totally insane. For example, if it normally takes you two hours to write a chapter in your ebook, set the timer for one hour.)
#4 Start writing. The goal is to finish your content before the timer buzzes. If you type the last sentence as the timer is buzzing, that’s okay too.
#5 Don’t pause. Reset the timer and go onto the next piece of content.
Why This Works…
- This forces you to type quickly
- It forces you to focus on getting your thoughts onto the page
- It forces you to ignore spelling and grammar
Because you’re typing like a madman/woman chances are you’re going to be making tons of spelling and grammar issues. Your fingers just get a bit sloppy. Ignore those mistakes. Hit save and move onto the next piece of content.
The Next Steps…
Once you’ve met your content goals for the day then you have a few options:
- Check spelling and grammar right away or save it for later.
- Edit for clarity right away or save it for later.
I like to check spelling and grammar right away and then set the content aside for a while, usually a few hours to a day. This gives me time to “noodle” – to think about what I’ve written. Sometimes I think of a better way to say something when I set it aside. Regardless, putting some time between writing and editing helps me look at the content and polish it with a clear mind.
If you’re looking to break the “Edit while you write” habit, give this experiment a try. It worked for me and it might just help you reach your content goals a little bit faster.
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Visit Annette online at AllCustomContent.com
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Everybody says "Content is King", but what does that mean for you? 
Debra says:
I really need to try this method. Blog posts or articles take me WAY too long to write because I agonize over every phrase.
Annette Elton says:
Hi Debra,
If you try it out, I’d love to hear your experience.
katie says:
I’m going to try this out.
How do you suggest working in research when using this method?
Annette Elton says:
Hi Katie,
I actually approach it two ways.
If I’ve planned ahead then I have a quick outline of what I want to cover in a post/article including research notes. That makes it pretty easy to write quickly and have your quotes/data right there to include.
Secondly, if I find as I’m writing that I’d like to insert a fact, quote or resource then I make a note in ALL CAPS to myself. When I go back and edit I can quickly search for the information and include it. That way your thoughts aren’t interrupted and you’re still accomplishing 90% of your content writing quickly.
Glennette says:
Great post Annette! Here’s a guest post I did recently for WAHMTalkRadio that may help your readers as well.
http://www.wahmtalkradio.com/the-22-minute-blog-post/
Glennette Goodbread
Alice Seba says:
You know, I resisted this method for a long time because I actually find my editing to be very important to my creative process. For me, how my content LOOKS is equally as important as what it SAYS. But editing as I write ONLY works when I know what I’m going to write about.
In cases, where I have some idea, but no complete plan…doing this works wonders. Thanks Annette!
Annette Elton says:
I find it fascinating to learn about how other people create and I’m sure this system isn’t for everyone. But for those who find themselves easily distracted while they’re writing it works wonders. Sometimes half the problem is just getting the words on the page!
Cheryl Henderson-Khalid says:
Thanks so much for the reminders. I have a timer called “Focus Booster”, but usually forget to use it. Just goes to show how hard it is to make a new habit because when I do remember to use it I get things done much quicker. I think I’m going to put it with my startup programs so I won’t have any more excuses not to use it!
Great tip!