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Speed Writing for Nonfiction Writers How to Double or Triple
If you’ve ever struggled with the blank screen… if writing feels like crawling through mud on your belly… or if you just want to write faster than you do today… then this book is for you.
It will teach you the secrets of "Speed Writing" and how to double or triple your daily writing output.
Imagine that you are able to write two or three times as fast as you can today. How much more would you be able to get published each year? More importantly, how much more would you be able to earn as a writer?
Here’s what you’ll learn when you read Speed Writing for Nonfiction Writers:
* 4 reasons you need to write faster than you do today.
* How I wrote an ebook in a single weekend -- and how you can, too.
* How to conquer the blank screen once and for all.
* How to quickly increase your writing speed so that you are able to double or triple your daily word count.
* Mistaken assumptions that keep writers stuck in “slow.”
* The 10 “Powers” of Speed Writing. How you can layer these “powers” for bigger gains in speed.
* Why anybody with sufficient motivation can become a Speed Writer.
* The difference between good writing days and bad writing days.
* How to start stacking more high productivity days on top of each other so you can complete “impossible” writing projects in record time.
* How to feel inspired every single time you sit down to write.
* And much more.
Speed Writing for Nonfiction Writers is for writers of all kinds. It doesn't matter whether you write articles, editorials, sales letters, white papers, or books. You will find techniques and principles that will make you a much faster writer.
It will teach you the secrets of "Speed Writing" and how to double or triple your daily writing output.
Imagine that you are able to write two or three times as fast as you can today. How much more would you be able to get published each year? More importantly, how much more would you be able to earn as a writer?
Here’s what you’ll learn when you read Speed Writing for Nonfiction Writers:
* 4 reasons you need to write faster than you do today.
* How I wrote an ebook in a single weekend -- and how you can, too.
* How to conquer the blank screen once and for all.
* How to quickly increase your writing speed so that you are able to double or triple your daily word count.
* Mistaken assumptions that keep writers stuck in “slow.”
* The 10 “Powers” of Speed Writing. How you can layer these “powers” for bigger gains in speed.
* Why anybody with sufficient motivation can become a Speed Writer.
* The difference between good writing days and bad writing days.
* How to start stacking more high productivity days on top of each other so you can complete “impossible” writing projects in record time.
* How to feel inspired every single time you sit down to write.
* And much more.
Speed Writing for Nonfiction Writers is for writers of all kinds. It doesn't matter whether you write articles, editorials, sales letters, white papers, or books. You will find techniques and principles that will make you a much faster writer.
- GenresWriting
First published March 9, 2013
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27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 28, 2018
A short book on practicing the proper habits to get writing faster for non-fiction writers. Nothing is earth-shattering here, but the tips are good, and they're a solid reminder of what we should be all focus on. There were a few aha moments I got while reading the booklet (I've read it in around 25 minutes), so it was not all time wasted. A nice refresher.
June 5, 2013
I was hoping for a little more depth to this book. I felt the author gave just a light dusting of the topic, when I was looking for more concrete, detailed examples. If however, you are new to writing and want to increase your output, this book may be a good starting point.
July 29, 2024
Good for what it is, practical and helpful. Worth the read for sure.
April 24, 2013
Speed Writing for Nonfiction Writers: How to Double or Triple Your Daily Word Count by Ryan Healy
I don't expect an e-book to be as long as a traditional print publication or electronic version of such, but I do expect it to contain more information in the average Writer's Digest article and to be well written. I also expect it to deliver on the promises stated in the posted description and title of the book. Mr. Healy's book delivers on all of these things.
He starts with explaining why most people write slowly and explains why you need to write faster than you do today in the first two chapters of the book, and then describes and examines the power (benefits of) 10 different productivity accelerators: Structure, Process, Ideas, Habit, Single-Mindedness, Focus, Inspiration, Rest, Repurposing and Deadlines. In each section, Healy explores the specifics about the accelerator, how it benefits you as a writer, and then shows you how he applies the principle in his own work.Speed_Writing
The principles within are not new to me. I practice most of them in my writing in some form or another, but I always benefit from seeing how another working writer applies them to his work. He also points out the pitfalls of doing stuff wrong, such as here when discussing the Research portion of the Power of Process section:
"But research is subject to the law of diminishing returns. The whole point of the research is to enable you to write well on your subject. So do your research, but don't get stuck there."
I also love the fact that he acknowledges how hard it is for him to "kill his darlings" and creates a "copy scraps" file to save the writing that he needs to delete, but isn't quite ready to let go of. I do the same thing in my work and, like Healy, I find it comforting to have it. Even though I rarely use it, taking this action frees my mind from the anxiety of loss, so I can focus on moving forward.
If you have doubts about your ability to implement these actions because your life is too hectic, Healy reveals that he has four children and that they home school them, so a busy life is not an excuse for being unproductive.
The section that I received the most benefit from was the Power of Inspiration section:
"So one of the keys to writing faster is to always act on your inspiration. Don't ignore it. Don't wait until tomorrow or the weekend ot whenever it happens to be convenient. Rearrange your schedule to take advantage of your inspiration when it happens. If you wait, your excitement will pass and the emotional fuel will have evaporated into the ether."
To recap: Good book, great use citing other authors and resources for supporting information, excellent writing, and plenty of examples of how the author implements each of the Power of sections complete with links to other resources. I think this book is a must read for anyone starting a career as a writer or those who have already started but are struggling with the discipline and high productivity essential for success in the writing biz. And even experienced writers like myself can learn a new thing or two from the book and see how another writer confronts the problems universal to writers everywhere. I will read other works by Mr. Healy and check out his blog from time to time and I suggest you do the same.
Buy it from Amazon Here: Speed Writing for Nonfiction Writers
Rating ***** Well Worth it at Full Retail Price ($2.99 as a Kindle eBook)
About Ratings: ***** -- Well Worth it at Full Retail Price; **** — Buy on Sale/Discounted; *** — Buy Used; ** — Borrow It from the Library; * — Waste of a Good Tree
I don't expect an e-book to be as long as a traditional print publication or electronic version of such, but I do expect it to contain more information in the average Writer's Digest article and to be well written. I also expect it to deliver on the promises stated in the posted description and title of the book. Mr. Healy's book delivers on all of these things.
He starts with explaining why most people write slowly and explains why you need to write faster than you do today in the first two chapters of the book, and then describes and examines the power (benefits of) 10 different productivity accelerators: Structure, Process, Ideas, Habit, Single-Mindedness, Focus, Inspiration, Rest, Repurposing and Deadlines. In each section, Healy explores the specifics about the accelerator, how it benefits you as a writer, and then shows you how he applies the principle in his own work.Speed_Writing
The principles within are not new to me. I practice most of them in my writing in some form or another, but I always benefit from seeing how another working writer applies them to his work. He also points out the pitfalls of doing stuff wrong, such as here when discussing the Research portion of the Power of Process section:
"But research is subject to the law of diminishing returns. The whole point of the research is to enable you to write well on your subject. So do your research, but don't get stuck there."
I also love the fact that he acknowledges how hard it is for him to "kill his darlings" and creates a "copy scraps" file to save the writing that he needs to delete, but isn't quite ready to let go of. I do the same thing in my work and, like Healy, I find it comforting to have it. Even though I rarely use it, taking this action frees my mind from the anxiety of loss, so I can focus on moving forward.
If you have doubts about your ability to implement these actions because your life is too hectic, Healy reveals that he has four children and that they home school them, so a busy life is not an excuse for being unproductive.
The section that I received the most benefit from was the Power of Inspiration section:
"So one of the keys to writing faster is to always act on your inspiration. Don't ignore it. Don't wait until tomorrow or the weekend ot whenever it happens to be convenient. Rearrange your schedule to take advantage of your inspiration when it happens. If you wait, your excitement will pass and the emotional fuel will have evaporated into the ether."
To recap: Good book, great use citing other authors and resources for supporting information, excellent writing, and plenty of examples of how the author implements each of the Power of sections complete with links to other resources. I think this book is a must read for anyone starting a career as a writer or those who have already started but are struggling with the discipline and high productivity essential for success in the writing biz. And even experienced writers like myself can learn a new thing or two from the book and see how another writer confronts the problems universal to writers everywhere. I will read other works by Mr. Healy and check out his blog from time to time and I suggest you do the same.
Buy it from Amazon Here: Speed Writing for Nonfiction Writers
Rating ***** Well Worth it at Full Retail Price ($2.99 as a Kindle eBook)
About Ratings: ***** -- Well Worth it at Full Retail Price; **** — Buy on Sale/Discounted; *** — Buy Used; ** — Borrow It from the Library; * — Waste of a Good Tree
February 3, 2016
Speed Read Speed Writing
I was hoping for something more complex and earth shattering. Little disappointed but when it was recommended by a industry leader your expectations go up. I don't really think the ideas expanded on anything I've read in the past about writing in general. Should have been entitled how to write more efficiently and effectively. Three is a lot of bad advice out there but this is some of the advice I adhere to. If this would have been the first book on writing I read I would probably have gave it a better rating but giving it an additional star for my bias. I skim read through the second half and nothing stopped me or slowed me down.
I was hoping for something more complex and earth shattering. Little disappointed but when it was recommended by a industry leader your expectations go up. I don't really think the ideas expanded on anything I've read in the past about writing in general. Should have been entitled how to write more efficiently and effectively. Three is a lot of bad advice out there but this is some of the advice I adhere to. If this would have been the first book on writing I read I would probably have gave it a better rating but giving it an additional star for my bias. I skim read through the second half and nothing stopped me or slowed me down.
January 18, 2014
A few helpful tips. Worth the money.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews