Writing

How To Write 3 Articles a Day

I watch movies, play poker, and trade stocks at the same time

Here is how I write three articles a day — I watch TV, very scientifically I must add, and trade stocks, play online poker, and of course handle all kinds of emails, texts, and take calls (only from people I know).

You might think this is nonsense. I would be more productive being less productive.

But I also play the piano. I memorize everything I play. That way, one hand, either in counterpoint with classical music, or improvisation with jazz, can do one thing while the other is free. Your mind watches the other thing going on, but focuses on the real thing at hand.

The same in writing. I watch a long list of YouTube videos on every subject that day I am going to be writing about. I set those up in the morning. That way I can learn while I am writing.

That’s the same with writing. I focus on the thing at hand. But I also let my mind take in TV, either YouTube (cast to the TV) or a rom-com movie (the best).

I’m also trading stocks and tracking a good number of them. This year my accounts are up over 77% and +165% in the past year. I probably write 500 to 600 articles on stocks a year as well.

Writing 3 Articles a Day

I write financial articles. I spend an hour or less studying the topic or stock. Sometimes I just start writing on the topic and then fill in the details later. I have learned that is the best way to be productive.

In my mind, it’s the same way as drawing a picture or composing a song on the piano. You put together the rough outline. You draft it. Details are not important at first. Sources are not important. Spelling, punctuation, nothing is a higher priority than just putting the thought or series of thoughts down first.

Clean-up comes later, after I’ve taken a break, thought through the idea more, and added what musicians call the trills.

That way each article takes no more than 3 hours or so. Each article is 600 to 800 words.

But I quickly found out that this was very boring. I have to watch TV at the same time just to cut the boredom. I have Hulu, Netflix, Sling (with movie channels), Prime Video, Curiosity Stream.

The movies I like best are Hallmark movies. The plots are so predictable and the acting so unremarkable, that I like it. It helps me watch the guy get the girl while I write my article.

Most people can’t and shouldn’t do this. But there is a sort of reward system that I give myself for doing a great job writing one article. I get to watch a new movie or take a walk or work out once it's done.

By the way, I have found that the best articles to write are the ones where you are not laboring over every sentence. When I end up doing that, I stop. I take a break and ask myself, “What am I trying to say? How should I do this more simply?” That usually helps.

Now I am planning on starting a YouTube channel. I hope I can find the time.

Mark Hake writes articles on InvestorPlace.com on stocks and also runs the Total Yield Value Guide which you can review here.

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