Write to length — first time, every time — with story structure
As a reality TV superfan, I’ve learned a lot about writing from “Project Runway” episodes.
For one thing, time management counts.
The most talented designers sometimes trip over deadlines: If you’re crafting an evening gown out of cabbage leaves, you might want to limit the ruching. Because if your model walks down the runway in a bra and a button, you’re going home no matter how brilliant your sketch looked.
“Why write a thesis when what you need is a tweet?”
— Ann Wylie, president, Wylie Communications
The same thing is true in writing. It’s what you deliver — on deadline — that counts.
One way to write better, easier and faster, then, is not to overdesign. A big piece of time management boils down to knowing whether you’re creating a wedding gown or a simple shift, a white paper or a social media status update.
So as part of the prewriting process — before you type a single word — map out a plan for the length of your piece.
Get 4 steps for editing before you write. >>>
Work with — not against — your brain
While we talk a lot about what to write — More stories! Fewer words! Shorter sentences! — we don’t focus so much on how.
Writing is hard because we weren’t taught how to write. Instead, we were taught how to edit: how to spell, punctuate and use the right grammar.
But there is a how to writing. Learn a few simple steps that will make your writing time more effective and efficient at How to write Better, Easier & Faster — our writing-process workshop starting Sept. 18.
You’ll learn to invest your time where it’ll do you the most good … stop committing creative incest … even save time by editing before writing.
Save up to $100 with our group discounts.