How To Write When You Have No Time To.
A topic close to my heart
This is a practical issue. Not everyone on Medium is a full-time writer. Not everyone is a full-time blogger and even if that is the case, Medium might be one of the many blogs that a blogger contributes to.
This story is written as Part 2 to this one.
When it comes to success in anything we do — We need consistency given the constraints we face. How can we ensure consistency?
I thought about this for a long while and as I was going through my stories contributed as well as those in-progress, I wonder how I can be more efficient at my daily writing efforts on top of my work.
I present my writing process below. This is a process where every single part of the writing is bootstrapped and attended to individually.
1 — Ideation.
I tend to seek the external environment for inspiration. Sometimes a walk in the park triggers that flow. Sometimes watching my robot-vacuum over coffee makes me think more about technology.
I would then quickly scribble it into my notepad application on my phone. It could just be as simple as “Robot-Vacuum, cute, save time”. I do this as and when inspiration hits me.
Then I go back to my normal day.
2 — Headlines.
Headlines require more time. It is an iterative process. I wrote one story about my process here.
The important thing to note is the actual iterative process itself. It could take longer than I originally expected. That said, it is usually completed during the time required for the commute.
That’s when I get my headlines done.
3 — The Story.
This takes deliberation because it requires time to write. I am inclined to finish it in one sitting.
Usually, a 4-minute read would take around 20 minutes for the first draft to be completed. I will block off an uninterrupted 30 minutes to finish the story. This is to take care of revisions.
If I have more time to spare, I will run it through Grammarly.
Otherwise, I will do the Grammarly exercise when I have time in between the day.
4 — Editorial Checks + High-Resolution Images.
I perform these two together. When it comes to editorial checks, I will first paste the entire story into Grammarly and have it do its job.
Once it is done, I will go correct and amend the suggested basic errors (embarrassing but it happens all the time). The advanced ones will take a while.
While thinking about how to correct those advanced ones, I go search for the images for the story. When I am done with the images, I typically would have found ways to resolve the advanced grammar issues.
I tend to do this in between meetings, as I can clear these 2 tasks within 15–20 minutes. When I am done, I will do a final eyeball check before hitting the publish button.
My Reflection - Till Date.
This method that I have been using allows me to write about 1.5 stories a day. I doubt this is the best that I can do, though this is the best I can for someone who works 15/16 hour days.
Bootstrapping the entire writing endeavor also helps to keep me consistent. The key is milestone progress and completion.
Completing an increment of work every time means we are heading closer to the “publish” button each time we work.
It keeps my feet to the fire as well, such that I can continue to build this habit of consistent writing daily.
Maybe I will have a better approach to writing more with the same constraints leading to the near future. Till then, I will stick to this one.
Happy Writing As Always,
Aldric
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About the Author:
As a content contributor, I write my observations from daily life and my business exposure.
Because our life experience is the bedrock of our unique perspectives.
As a Consultant by training, I believe in making the complex simple.
Because simplicity adds value.
And with clarity — We grow.
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