Why You Should Stop Scoffing At Writing for Quantity

Summary

The article advocates for new writers to prioritize writing frequently to improve their craft, emphasizing that quantity is crucial for development.

Abstract

The author of the article argues that new writers should focus on writing a large volume of content, as this practice is essential for skill improvement. Quality, while important, should not be the sole focus at the beginning of a writing career. The author draws a parallel to their own experience in sports, where consistent practice was key to improvement. Writing regularly is likened to putting in reps at the gym; it leads to better writing through repetition and feedback. The author admits that not all of their extensive writing has been of high quality, but the process has led to better storytelling, audience connection, and overall content quality. The article encourages writers to embrace writing for quantity, suggesting that this approach does not compromise the journey towards creating high-quality content.

Opinions

Writing for quantity is beneficial for new writers as it helps them improve their skills.
Quality in writing is not the primary concern for beginners; practice and consistency are more important.
The author believes that writing a lot is analogous to athletic training, where repetition leads to better performance.
Feedback from publishing frequently is seen as a valuable tool for becoming a better writer.
The author reflects on their personal experience, noting that despite some subpar work, the overall outcome of writing frequently has been positive.
The article suggests that writing a high volume of content does not necessarily mean sacrificing quality in the long term.

You need to write a lot, and it’s okay to publish a lot

I hate it when people say you should only write for quality and not quantity. That is terrible advice for the new writer. If you are starting, you need to be writing a lot.

It doesn’t matter if your work is of high quality or not. You only get better by writing a lot. You need to put in the repetitions to improve. No one does anything super well when they start.

You Need to Put in the Reps

When I was in high school, during the winter sports season, I didn’t play a sport. But I was putting in reps for the spring baseball season. I worked out in the weight room two to three times a week after school.

On the off days from workouts, I would go to our makeshift, indoor batting cage and hit 100 balls off the tee. Then I would hit 100 balls from the pitching machine. If I had a friend available, I would have them toss 20 to 50 balls at me to hit.

I put in the reps during the wintertime because I knew it would make me a better ballplayer. I didn’t end up playing in Major League Baseball or even college, but I spent the time practicing to be worth a darn on game days during the spring.

Your Writing Reps Matter

You need to put in the time and write a lot to become a better writer. The more you write, the better you will get. Sure, you will need to focus on quality at some point, but for many new writers, you need to be focusing on consistency.

Quality does come with repetitions. You can only blunder about writing first drafts and publishing them for so long. You will need to get better at editing. Your formatting will need to improve. But these things take time.

The best way to develop better quality writing is to write more often. The more you write and publish, the more you will get feedback, the better writer you will become.

Final Thoughts on Writing for Quantity

I have written over 1,000 stories on this platform, over 500 on other platforms, and tons and tons of social media posts. Not all of them are very good. Some are downright miserable.

But, I am at a place where all of this content has helped me write better stories, connect more with readers, and create better quality content regularly.

And, I haven’t abandoned writing for quantity.

I would love to hear what you think? Do you think I am crazy? Or would you agree? Share in the responses below.

J.R. Heimbigner is a #1 Bestselling Author on Amazon who loves helping people grow in their faith, find productivity success, learn about investing, and help writers become authors. You can connect with him on Medium, his website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Ko-fi!