You can write a lot of words per hour. But first, it’s important to know what kind of writer you are. Are you the type who writes better when they have no limits? Or do you need a deadline as motivation to get started? Do you tend to procrastinate?
If so, then maybe setting word count goals works best for you. Either way, it’s possible to reach 5,000 words per hour if that’s your goal!
Takeaways |
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1. Embrace consistent daily writing habits. |
2. Break down your writing goals into manageable tasks. |
3. Prioritize quantity over perfection in early drafts. |
4. Set specific word count targets to stay motivated. |
5. Use time management techniques to allocate writing time. |
6. Explore various writing prompts to spark creativity. |
7. Revise and edit your content to improve quality later. |
8. Celebrate milestones and achievements along the way. |
9. Stay curious and continuously seek inspiration. |
10. Remember that consistent effort leads to progress. |
What Is This Article About?
In this article, we’ll discuss how writers can write more efficiently and effectively using techniques like setting goals or having no limits at all. I will also give examples from my own experiences as well as other writers who have been able to achieve high output rates despite their different styles and circumstances.
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1. The First Draft Is A Discovery Process
The first draft is a discovery process. It’s where you discover what your story is, what your characters are and how they interact with each other, and what the plot looks like.
It’s important to understand that this is not an outline in any way, shape, or form. An outline can only be written after you know everything about your story because it organizes the information based on its importance to the plot (most important at the top) or chronology (chronological order).
The first draft is not an outline either!
2. Finish Your First Draft As Fast As You Can
The point of this step is to get the first draft done as fast as possible. You want your brain to go into autopilot mode so that it can write without any mental barriers or distractions.
There’s no room for perfection here; don’t worry about finding the perfect word, grammar, spelling, or punctuation – your goal is just to get down on paper whatever comes into your head in the most fluid manner possible!
You may find yourself writing sentences like “I like dogs” and “I don’t like cats”, but don’t worry about it at this stage – those are all very good first draft sentences!
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3. Write One Scene At A Time
Writing one scene at a time is important for two reasons.
First of all, it makes you focus on your goal instead of getting distracted by other ideas or thoughts. Second, when you write out a scene in full detail first and then move on to the next one, this will help you with the flow of your writing and make your story more coherent overall.
4. Know The Underlying Structure Of Your Story Before You Begin
Knowing the underlying structure of your story before you begin is essential. You need to know where your story is going, what the main themes and motifs are, who are the main characters and settings, and what are the main conflicts that drive your plot forward.
This will help you write more efficiently because it will keep you from getting stuck trying to figure out how to move forward with a piece of writing that doesn’t have any direction or purpose in mind.
5. Make Sure Your Characters Want Something Right Away, Even If It’s Only A Glass Of Water
The earlier you establish what your character wants, the sooner you can start working on plot points and obstacles. If a character’s wants don’t change by the end of the book, then that’s probably not a story worth telling (unless it’s some kind of allegory).
Of course, this doesn’t mean that every single thing that happens in your book should be about achieving or not achieving someone’s goal but even if you’re writing an action-packed thriller with lots of surprises and twists and turns along the way, there still has to be something driving those twists and turns forward (or else why would anyone care?).
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6. Introduce Your Main Character And Their Goal As Soon As Possible
A story needs a character with a goal, and that goal should be introduced as soon as possible.
The same goes for the conflict: it must be introduced as soon as possible.
If you can’t introduce your main character’s goal or problem early in the novel, then there’s no way for them to solve it by the end of your book!
And if there’s no way for them to solve their problems by the end of your book… well then what was even the point? I mean come on now! This is probably one of those things that we all need reminding about every once in a while: Characters are important! Don’t forget them!
7. Throw Your Protagonist Into The Action, Giving Them An Immediate Problem To Deal With (This Is Also Known As A Cold Open)
The opening of your story is critically important. It needs to hook the reader and make them want to keep reading.
A cold open works by throwing your protagonist into action, giving them an immediate problem to deal with (this is also known as a “bang”). You can start with a dream sequence or flashback if you want, but whatever you do, it should feel like an immediate action.
The best way to make sure that happens is by having some kind of conflict between characters right off the bat this will engage anyone who reads your book because they’ll be immediately drawn into wanting to know how things end up after this initial conflict.
You can use this opportunity as well by introducing other characters or themes that will help shape what happens in later parts of the book but don’t get too far ahead just yet! We’ll talk more about exposition later on when we discuss how much detail is too much detail when it comes time for chapter summaries and character descriptions.
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8. Start In Medias Res (In The Middle Of Things)
The first thing to remember when you start in the middle of things is that it’s okay. No one expects a novel to start with a sentence like, “The story begins at precisely 4:12 p.m. on Thursday, September 14th”
You need to hook your reader from the get-go, so don’t waste time setting up what came before. Instead, use something interesting and unexpected to grab their attention and keep them reading!
That might mean starting with a character’s reaction to something like when they find out their dog ran away or say hello for the first time in years or how they feel about an event or person (like how mad they are about getting fired). You can also start by showing where the characters are or what the setting looks like (consider using sensory details here).
9. Know all your character names before you start writing.
Especially the main five characters in your story (protagonist, antagonist, love interest, mentor, and weirdo).
You should also know all your characters’ names. This is especially important for the main five characters of the story (protagonist, antagonist, love interest, mentor, and weirdo).
The protagonist is the main character in a story and usually acts as an agent for change. The antagonist acts against them in some way to prevent them from achieving their goal or getting something they want.
The love interest is a character who kind of comes into their life at some point in time and develops feelings towards them.
A mentor would be someone older than you who gives you advice on how to achieve your goals or achieve success in whatever it may be that has motivated you to write this story! And finally…the weirdo…you don’t have one but if you do then just make sure they are there somewhere along with these other 4 essential elements!
10. You Don’t Have To Include Everything About A Character’s Backstory In The Actual Story Itself
The other thing you need to know about writing a novel is that you don’t have to include everything about a character’s backstory in the actual story itself.
The reason for this is very simple: if you try to write everything at once, it will take far longer than necessary and will probably end up being boring for the reader.
Instead, focus on one event from your character’s past at a time the most important event, and then make sure that event has some impact on what happens in your current book.
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Conclusion
It’s important to remember that when you first start writing, you don’t need to worry about anything other than getting words on the page. As your story progresses, it will become clearer what needs to be included and what can be left out.
All of these pointers are just a way for you to get started with your writing process as quickly as possible so that you can get back into the flow of writing and stay there!
Further Reading
Expand your knowledge on writing and improve your skills with these valuable resources:
Brilliant Writing Tips: Discover actionable tips and strategies for enhancing your writing prowess and engaging your readers effectively.
20 Secrets of Good Writing: Uncover the hidden gems of successful writing with these 20 secrets that can transform your writing from ordinary to extraordinary.
Improve Your Writing Skills: Dive into practical advice and techniques to boost your writing skills and create content that captivates your audience.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about writing and improving your skills:
How can I enhance the impact of my writing?
Enhance your writing’s impact by focusing on clear and concise language, compelling storytelling, and addressing the needs and interests of your target audience.
What are some key elements of good writing?
Good writing includes strong organization, proper grammar and punctuation, a compelling narrative, and an authentic voice that resonates with readers.
How can I overcome writer’s block?
To overcome writer’s block, try changing your environment, setting specific goals, brainstorming, or freewriting. Sometimes, taking a break and returning with fresh eyes can also help.
What techniques can I use to improve my editing skills?
Develop your editing skills by reading your work aloud, taking a break between writing and editing, using editing tools, and seeking feedback from peers or professionals.
How do I maintain consistency in my writing style?
Maintaining consistency involves creating a style guide, using consistent grammar and punctuation rules, and revisiting your previous work to ensure alignment with your chosen style.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.