Comments on: How to Write Fast http://michellerafter.com/2008/03/17/how-to-write-fast/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed Freelancing in the Digital Age Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:38:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Tips and Tricks Tuesday: Post-Haste « Barding Well http://michellerafter.com/2008/03/17/how-to-write-fast/comment-page-1/#comment-6906 Tips and Tricks Tuesday: Post-Haste « Barding Well Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:17:08 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-6906 [...] the stage. Michelle V. Rafter says, “Write when you’re on.” She claims 5am is her freshest time of day and [...] [...] the stage. Michelle V. Rafter says, “Write when you’re on.” She claims 5am is her freshest time of day and [...]

]]> By: Michelle V. Rafter http://michellerafter.com/2008/03/17/how-to-write-fast/comment-page-1/#comment-1766 Michelle V. Rafter Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:23:51 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-1766 Very good advice, and very hard to follow. Michelle Very good advice, and very hard to follow.

Michelle

]]> By: Billy http://michellerafter.com/2008/03/17/how-to-write-fast/comment-page-1/#comment-1746 Billy Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:41:06 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-1746 Thanks for the advice. I'm a firm believer in, 'Unplug – Turn off email. Close the browser. Log off the message boards. Do whatever it takes to eliminate distractions.' Thanks for the advice.

I’m a firm believer in, ‘Unplug – Turn off email. Close the browser. Log off the message boards. Do whatever it takes to eliminate distractions.’

]]> By: Freelance 101: Getting started as an independent writer « WordCount - Freelancing in the Digital Age http://michellerafter.com/2008/03/17/how-to-write-fast/comment-page-1/#comment-187 Freelance 101: Getting started as an independent writer « WordCount - Freelancing in the Digital Age Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:03:22 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-187 [...] How to write fast. - Setting the timer is just the start. [...] [...] How to write fast. – Setting the timer is just the start. [...]

]]> By: Too many deadlines? Here’s how to avoid panic mode « WordCount - Freelancing in the Digital Age http://michellerafter.com/2008/03/17/how-to-write-fast/comment-page-1/#comment-186 Too many deadlines? Here’s how to avoid panic mode « WordCount - Freelancing in the Digital Age Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:01:34 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-186 [...] before your research and interviews are finished to help you zero in on what you need to ask. Write during your “up” time of day to maximize [...] [...] before your research and interviews are finished to help you zero in on what you need to ask. Write during your “up” time of day to maximize [...]

]]> By: Miguel Wickert http://michellerafter.com/2008/03/17/how-to-write-fast/comment-page-1/#comment-185 Miguel Wickert Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:47:15 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-185 When I was working on my BA, I find that there were period of time when I worked at my best- I was efficient unlike any other time. I understand what you mean by finding your zones or moments when you're at your best. Second, you're right on about unplugging- I like to say disconnect, turn of the internet, TV, Twitter and so on. Focus at the task at hand, I use a timer to boost my productivity. :) Thanks for sharing! -Mig When I was working on my BA, I find that there were period of time when I worked at my best- I was efficient unlike any other time. I understand what you mean by finding your zones or moments when you’re at your best. Second, you’re right on about unplugging- I like to say disconnect, turn of the internet, TV, Twitter and so on.

Focus at the task at hand, I use a timer to boost my productivity. :) Thanks for sharing!
-Mig

]]> By: How to Write Fast - From Various Sources | SEO Tips Mashup http://michellerafter.com/2008/03/17/how-to-write-fast/comment-page-1/#comment-184 How to Write Fast - From Various Sources | SEO Tips Mashup Sun, 04 Jan 2009 07:43:40 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-184 [...] How to Write Great Copy Fast - Turn your topic into a question that you will answer in writing. How to Write Fast - Get in the right state of mind and set up your [...] [...] How to Write Great Copy Fast – Turn your topic into a question that you will answer in writing. How to Write Fast – Get in the right state of mind and set up your [...]

]]> By: How to Write Fast - From Various Sources | Stephan Miller http://michellerafter.com/2008/03/17/how-to-write-fast/comment-page-1/#comment-183 How to Write Fast - From Various Sources | Stephan Miller Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:25:55 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-183 [...] How to Write Great Copy Fast - Turn your topic into a question that you will answer in writing. How to Write Fast - Get in the right state of mind and set up your [...] [...] How to Write Great Copy Fast – Turn your topic into a question that you will answer in writing. How to Write Fast – Get in the right state of mind and set up your [...]

]]> By: Michelle Rafter http://michellerafter.com/2008/03/17/how-to-write-fast/comment-page-1/#comment-182 Michelle Rafter Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:27:12 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-182 Liz: You raise some excellent points. This is something that I've been contemplating a lot lately, in light of posts I've seen on other freelance writing blogs about the paltry amount of money being offered for Web content. I'd already planned to write about this and your comments only reinforce that. Stay tuned. Michelle R. Liz: You raise some excellent points. This is something that I’ve been contemplating a lot lately, in light of posts I’ve seen on other freelance writing blogs about the paltry amount of money being offered for Web content.

I’d already planned to write about this and your comments only reinforce that. Stay tuned.

Michelle R.

]]> By: Liz Micik http://michellerafter.com/2008/03/17/how-to-write-fast/comment-page-1/#comment-181 Liz Micik Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:16:43 +0000 http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-181 I too found the post from the Problogger comment...see it does work...and enjoyed both posts. But they also raised a question for me, or maybe it's more of a plea to fellow writers since, as a freelancer, this is an income question for me. I hear people talking all the time about writing articles in 10-15 minutes; 500+ words rolling off the fingertips with no effort and all that. I think it gives the buying public a very wrong idea of what's involved in quality writing. I think we can all agree also that that sort of talk has contributed to the idea that a 500 word blog post is only worth $5, or $15 as an eZine article if you post it for them. Yesterday I wrote four longer pieces for Squidoo, hubpages, etc. Each was around 1,000 words and each still took me over an hour. The key to the speed was the fact that I knew my subject cold. The day before I was able to do half as well because the keywords and subject I was working with then was not one I knew. Today, I have four pieces to do and can honestly only think of two unique topics. It's going to be a long day. I think we need to be much more open about the amount of time it takes to research and plan that 500 word article. How long do you spend finding pictures to use, or fact check after you write as well. Do you allow time for one or two reread/rewrites. There is a difference between the stream of consciousness style of writing that is a blog post on a well worn subject...or a ranting comment like this one...and an article or post that imparts hard information for which we expect to be paid. As writers, would you agree we need to make this difference more clear to our clients? Wouldn't it make sense to start that by talking among ourselves that way as well? I too found the post from the Problogger comment…see it does work…and enjoyed both posts. But they also raised a question for me, or maybe it’s more of a plea to fellow writers since, as a freelancer, this is an income question for me.

I hear people talking all the time about writing articles in 10-15 minutes; 500+ words rolling off the fingertips with no effort and all that. I think it gives the buying public a very wrong idea of what’s involved in quality writing. I think we can all agree also that that sort of talk has contributed to the idea that a 500 word blog post is only worth $5, or $15 as an eZine article if you post it for them.

Yesterday I wrote four longer pieces for Squidoo, hubpages, etc. Each was around 1,000 words and each still took me over an hour. The key to the speed was the fact that I knew my subject cold. The day before I was able to do half as well because the keywords and subject I was working with then was not one I knew. Today, I have four pieces to do and can honestly only think of two unique topics. It’s going to be a long day.

I think we need to be much more open about the amount of time it takes to research and plan that 500 word article. How long do you spend finding pictures to use, or fact check after you write as well. Do you allow time for one or two reread/rewrites.

There is a difference between the stream of consciousness style of writing that is a blog post on a well worn subject…or a ranting comment like this one…and an article or post that imparts hard information for which we expect to be paid.

As writers, would you agree we need to make this difference more clear to our clients? Wouldn’t it make sense to start that by talking among ourselves that way as well?

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