Summary

The author has developed a new writing approach to increase efficiency and quality by improving pre-writing routines, reviewing past work, and implementing a unique drafting technique involving writing in white text.

Abstract

The author of the blog, who also runs a strategy website, shares insights into overcoming writing inefficiencies and improving the quality of blog posts. Initially struggling with distractions and a lack of flow in writing, the author adopted better pre-writing habits, such as tidying the writing space, going for walks, and removing phones and social media. They also began drafting titles and subheadings in advance for better focus. Reflecting on past work revealed that the most successful blogs were those that sounded natural and conversational. The author pinpointed the issue of constant editing during the writing process, which disrupted the flow of ideas. To combat this, they devised an innovative method of writing the first draft in white text on a white background, allowing for uninterrupted thought flow. This technique resulted in a more natural-sounding first draft that could be edited more effectively post-completion. The author emphasizes the importance of finding personalized solutions to writing challenges and encourages readers to define their problems clearly to discover their own solutions.

Opinions

The author believes that a structured pre-writing routine is crucial for minimizing distractions and maintaining focus while writing.
They suggest that reviewing one's own work can provide insights into what writing style works best for the individual.
The author opines that constant self-editing during the writing process can hinder the natural flow of ideas and should be avoided until the first draft is complete.
They advocate for personalized writing strategies, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to writing efficiently and effectively.
The author encourages readers to clearly define their writing problems to make finding solutions an obvious process.
They share their unique "white text" method as a successful strategy that worked for them, which may or may not work for everyone but serves as an example of creative problem-solving.

Do you get distracted while you write?

How to write higher-quality blog posts more often

This blog was originally posted on my strategy website: Strategy Time. It’s where I share simple strategies to help with your career, your business, and your life.

I started my blog just over a year ago. Overall, it’s been great. However, one issue is that I haven’t written that much. My writing style was inefficient, so each post took forever.

The good news is that my new writing approach, which I’m about to discuss, is a lot more effective. I hope this strategy helps you to write better quality posts more often.

A better pre-writing routine

Distractions were everywhere, so I started by improving my pre-writing routine. This was all the obvious stuff — tidying up the room where I write, going for a short walk, removing my phone and social media.

I started writing more blog titles and subheadings in advance. Having more structure kept my writing more focused.

Sharing my ideas with other people helped too. Ideally, I would have captured the same energy and enthusiasm from those conversations, but that was easier said than done.

Reviewing my previous work

I looked back at my previous blogs. I noticed that the better blogs sounded like me. They flowed like I had written them off the top of my head.

The blogs that didn’t work were more mechanical. They contained very little of my voice.

I felt like I was onto something with this. I needed to find a way to write more fluidly more often.

Getting to the heart of the problem

A few days later, I was cooking a stir fry in my kitchen. I chopped the ingredients, chucked the food in the wok, and dumped the remains in the bin.

There was no mess to clean up because I had cleaned as I cooked. Multitasking at its finest.

Then a thought came to me — I have brought this “clean as I cook” habit to my writing. This was why my writing was so inefficient.

How so?

Essentially, my approach was to write 3 or 4 sentences, then I would go back and re-write them. Every time I corrected a spelling mistake, I would lose my train of thought.

No wonder my writing had no flow.

Sunlight Shining on White Pillows and Sheets · Free Stock Photo (pexels.com)

How I found a solution

A few years ago, I did an innovation course in Dublin. I learned that if you can define a problem well enough, the solution becomes obvious.

What was the problem?

I wanted my writing to flow like I had written it off the top of my head. If only I could stop editing while I typed.

It was like I needed to make the words invisible. So that’s what I did. I started writing in white text against a white background.

This may sound ridiculous, but it worked!

Writing my first draft in white text

This absurd technique helped me to quickly complete the first draft.

Despite writing 500 words without stopping, it still had structure because I had my subheadings written in advance. It flowed like it was written off the top of my head (because it was).

Changes were required, but it was easier to edit a completed draft.

Free stock photo of apartment, comfort, computer (pexels.com)

Finding a solution that works for you

Using this approach, it became more natural for me to think about the current sentence rather than the last. This was a solution that worked for me because it helped to resolve my bad habits.

However, there is no single writing approach that works for everyone. You likely have other things distracting you, which may require different solutions.

Hence, I think it’s better to focus on the strategy of problem-solving.

Have a think about your own writing approach. If you can define a problem well enough, the solution will become obvious.

Let me know how you get on!

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