Summary

The article introduces "snack writing," a method of writing in short, focused bursts to accommodate busy schedules, particularly for parents with limited time.

Abstract

The concept of "snack writing" is presented as a flexible and efficient approach to writing that involves writing in brief sessions, ranging from 10 to 40 minutes. This method is particularly useful for those with limited time, such as the author, a parent of two young children. Snack writing allows for multitasking, enabling the writer to make progress on multiple articles simultaneously by outlining, researching, or editing in small increments. The article emphasizes the practicality of this approach, suggesting that it helps prevent overthinking and keeps the writing process moving forward. The author cites personal experience and research from Flinders University to support the effectiveness of snack writing. Additionally, the article provides practical advice on tools and techniques to implement snack writing, such as using a phone's microphone for dictation, the Squarespace app for on-the-go editing, and leveraging waiting time to write.

Opinions

The author advocates for snack writing as a practical solution for writers who struggle to find large blocks of time for writing.
Snack writing is not seen as a replacement for deep, focused writing sessions but rather as a complementary approach that can increase overall writing productivity.
The author believes that perfection is not the goal in snack writing; the emphasis is on progress and completion, with editing to be done later.
The article suggests that snack writing can be particularly beneficial for writers who are short on time and need to balance writing with other responsibilities.
The author expresses that using various tools, such as a phone's microphone and website apps, can enhance the snack writing experience and make it more accessible.
By comparing snack writing to meal prep, the author implies that writing in batches can be as efficient as cooking in batches, thus saving time.

Write More With Snack Writing

3 unconventional steps to writing more

Gone are the days of sitting at the desk and writing or typing for 2-hour blocks of time. Well, gone for me anyway, as a parent of two young ones.

Instead, I snack write. In this article, I share my approach with article writing in short sharp bursts and make a delicious little case for you to try if you don’t already. Below will be a morsel of tools used to turn the snack bites into a copy feast. Yes. All bad puns intended.

What is snack writing?

If you’re not sure what snack writing is, it is as it sounds. When you only have 10 minutes, 20 minutes, or even blessed with a 40-minute block you can write paragraphs or outline or research for the articles you have on the go. The short, sharp bursts of time help stop overthinking and it keeps me going with 4, 5, or even 10 articles at a time.

I’m not aiming for perfection. I’m just aiming for done. I can always edit later.

For one article, it may just be a simple outline with keywords. For another, it may find articles to clip and reference. For the third, it may be editing a paragraph.

Why try snack writing?

You may read this and think, ‘she’s out of her mind.’ Why write like that? For the classically trained writer, writing is deep work, where you craft pithy sentences with music playing through the headphones and with the door shut. Writing needs a solid block of time to craft the story or to find the proof and supporting arguments, or shift to the climatic end for a hero’s journey.

Yes. I’m not arguing with that. In fact, both binge writing and snack writing have their place.

Instead, I am offering an alternative to getting your writing done if you’re like me, and short on time. But don’t take my word for it. There’s a group of researchers in psychology at Flinders University, Adelaide who highlighted the benefits of snack writing back in 2011.

Keeping with my food analogy, think of snack writing to writing, as meal prep is to cooking. Cooking done in batches. Writing done in batches. If you’re into meal prepping, snack writing is a timesaving way too.

What tools to use to snack write?

Sit down for this part. The first tool I’m using right now to snack write this article after putting the kids to bed is the microphone on my phone. For the traditionalists, you may have reacted with shock and horror at that admission. Is using a microphone even the same as writing?

Admittedly, I flirt with all types, I still hand-write, type on the keyboard, and use the microphone on the phone. Each does the job that’s intended to capture words on a page (or a screen).

Look, it’s okay with me if you choose to click away right now. But you’ll miss out on the other tools I use to whip out engaging and researched articles regularly.

Now if you’re staying with me, the other tool I use is my Squarespace app. Since my site is hosted on Squarespace I have the app that allows me to start a post, edit and publish my posts when I’m on the go.

If I’m sitting and waiting at my son’s 30-minute swimming lesson, I can write freely. If I’m waiting in a queue, I can outline in 5–10 minutes. If I’m waiting for an appointment and there are 5 patients in front of me, I can edit paragraphs and it’s not wasted time.

I’m transforming my waiting time into writing time.

That alone pushed me out of the mental block of needing 2 hours at least to sit down and write an article. It meant I was rarely getting past the steps of outlining, researching, writing, and editing quickly enough. Now I batch those writing tasks during my waiting time.

Here are 3 action steps you can take if you dream of writing more efficiently.

3 action steps

Try using your microphone on your phone to ‘write’ snack copy, edit, or outline.
Download your website app if they have one. Squarespace does, and I highly recommend it. If you don’t have that option, you can also use a Notes app that comes standard with most smartphones.
Write the next time you are waiting around.

Go on, use this as a little nudge to transform your waiting time into writing time.

Originally published at https://www.helenaknows.com.au on February 16, 2021.