Want To Be a Speedier Article Writer?
Read More: It should only take 20 minutes to write an article. What? You've got to be kidding me!
Yes, someone actually told me that. My jaw dropped and my eyes opened wide! It takes that long just to come up with a heading I'm happy with using a Headline analyzer.
Hmmm, maybe I don't have enough experience. Maybe my brain isn't wired to gather my thoughts and put them on paper that fast.
I am definitely super hopeful though. When I first started writing articles I was hard pressed to even come up with an idea! I had to find something meaningful to me, use that as a guideline, and create my article. I still do that.
I am noticing that article ideas are popping up quite often lately. I attribute that mostly to my positive daily affirmation about writing. Of course it helps to be a reader, a good listener and to keep your eyes and imagination open at all times looking for inspiration. And of course, practice, practice, practice makes perfect.
Then I ran across an article titled "How to write an article in 20 minutes" by Jim Estill. Bingo! Just what I needed! I don't have all day to write articles. If you are in a crunch, maybe Jim's 8 tips for writing an article in 20 minutes or less will help you too.
- I start with a list of ideas and concepts I want to cover. Usually I write this list in point form. For me, I do this the old fashioned way, with a pen and paper.
- I often “incubate” an article for a few days (this does not count in the 20 minutes). What I do is start roughing out some topic ideas then leave it. Because I have thought about it, ideas tend to come to me that I frequently add to my points. Of course I always carry a notebook for ideas.
- I often need to reduce the number of ideas that I cover. Sometimes they do not fit with the angle of the article or do not flow with the other ideas. Sometimes I have to give up a point to write a good article.
- Never save a good idea. When I know I have many article deadlines to meet, it is tempting to “save” a few good ideas for later. New ideas will always come so always give your best ideas.
- Develop tricks to get past writers block. One way I do this is ”warm up” writing. I just sit down and write for 5 minutes. This tends to help subsequent writing to flow. Another way I do this is to go for a walk, cycle or a run (although sometimes I think I might use this to procrastinate a bit too). Another trick I use is to make a game out of the deadline – say I will do it by X o’ clock. Perhaps I am simple but this motivates me.
- Come back to it later. My best articles are written partly, revisited a few times, then finished. I spend the same 20 minutes, though only 5-7 minutes per session. Of course if the ideas are flowing well, I do keep writing.
- I often write 3-4 articles at the same time. Spending 5 minutes on one, 7 on another etc. When I am really in writing flow, this works well.
- One trick is using bullet points or numbered points as in this article. People seem to like this technique and it helps articles flow for me.
Funny, but I get inspirations in unusual places. Maybe they aren't so unusual. Where do you do your best thinking?
Lately, my best thinking times are when I am vacuuming, on the treadmill reading and in the wee hours of the morning just before rolling out of bed. You know that time when you are snuggled in thinking how good it feels to just lay here for a while longer. The coffee is calling but you linger in dreamland for a while.
I really need to take Jim's advice and get that note book or two and keep them besides my bed, in my purse, at the treadmill or other handy places so I can record those brilliant thoughts before I forget them. You know how it is.....you think you will remember.
Pretty sure you could add your own tips on how to write that article or blog in 20 minutes. Copy and paste doesn't count in this case. :) Would love to hear them because that's what I am shooting for. Twenty minutes to get your thoughts down on paper!
I am thinking of all the time I will have left over in my day to.....well.....ah, write that other article, of course!
Ideas anyone?
Lynn Jones
Views: 547
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Comments: 24 
About the Author: Lynn Jones
Member Since: 01/11/2009
I'm a Distributor For:: SISEL International, LLC
Other Company: Just Been Paid
Industry: MLM
Primary Web Site: http://lynnjonesonline.com
Lynn, Great Value
You know Lynn, when I get writers block or am distracted but need to write an article. All the above are great ideas, but I go for keywords and/or Ezine articles. Ezine has newletters that they send via EM on a variety of topics and they are great articles. Y
Your articles are always insightful, compassionate, and filled with great value.
Thank you for sharing this.
Longer Than 20
It sure takes me longer than 20 minutes, but I'm certain this advice will allow me to cut back my article writing time to better than it has been. Great Job Lynn. We appreciate you.
Les
Better go vacuum!
This is a clever idea ---I better go vacuum NOW to get some new ideas! (And I read on a blog somewhere else this morning that housework also improves one's sex life and health!) Oh I hope that's not too risqué for BN! Thank you SO MUCH Lynn!!!
Great writing tips!
Thanks Lynn,
I will use the tips you have listed here. You are a great leader and always put great helpful stuff in articles.
Love this!
This article is too cool Lynn. I am so happy that you have reached out and have done all this addional research on article writting. I can tell it has boosted your confidence and I am so happy because I enjoy what you have to say : )
Thank you
Thank you for sharing some incrediable insite.
this made writing Articles a whole lot simpler
I knew that I needed lots of help with writing Articles. So I am glad to have found these guide lines.
your friend for life
Juanita Waterman
Great Article, Lynn!!
Thanks for the great article, Lynn. As always, it is thought-provoking and full of useful tips. Maybe one day soon I will be able to return the favor and write a useful article to post here.
Amazing how simple it can be.
Isn't it amazing how simple writing an article, or articles as we saw, can be? I personally have never writen more then one at a time, but I indeed do normally take less then half an hour to finish one.
For me the most important thing is to be on a roll. The idea of warming up, writing down just anything sounds like a really good idea. Once the words are flowing, the article will take its shape.
I also think it is important not to want to put too many things in one article. I have noticed with "beginners" that they tend to move away from the main theme of their article, which interupts the flow and can make it too lang as well.
As you can see by this "little" comment, just sitting down and starting to write, can be fun and it can lead to an article in itself. :-P
Great article Lynn, loved reading it and I am sure it will have helped me in my own writing efforts.
Thank you!
Pool our ideas to help each other.
Thank you bunches for all the tips. We can all help each other out by offering what helps us. Guess I better get some housework done, Louise. :)
Just What I Needed
I am new at article writing so this was perfect timing for your information. It's a great idea to keep a notebook handy. Sometimes I have an idea (maybe while vacuuming) but of course don't remember it later. You really are a Master at writing. Thank you for sharing.
Perfect Timing
I've been working on some new articles too and this came around just in time. Gave me things to think about and I realized that I need to buy a voice recorder to go along with my note pads. LOL Thanks for sharing!
Carol Perdue
Thanks!
I have been getting down with my content creation and this really helps.
Something To Ponder !
Thank You for this very valuable information Lynn,
This information will Greatly benefit me and many others in there article writing skills.
Thank You For Sharing Your Brilliance Lynn,
You Are A Great Benefit To Our Community,
Your Friend For Life,
Steven Squillace
Great Tips !!
For you it is vacuuming,for me it is yard work or mowing to get the juices flowing, but still takes me longer than 20 min. I love the tips you found to share with us. Sometimes the biggest problem is the topic.Always on the ball Lynn
Marketing Tips 101!!!!
Hi Lynn,
Thank you for the great information. There are pieces of golden nuggets scattered all through this article...
Thank you,
Have a Blessed Day,
Danny & Laura
20 Minutes!
I will put these tips into my daily habits.
Thanks for sharing Lynn
Alice McCarthy
Thanks
I like the idea of having more than one article on the go
Thanks for sharing, :)
Cheryl
Thanks Lynn!
What a great list! I sometimes find I can throw an article down in 20 minute but it's usually only when something hits me that's been a frustration for me or someone on my team. But other times it will take me days to come up with a good idea! Then I like the incubating idea too, when I do that I find the writing goes much faster!
Thanks again for another great post!
Vicki
Meditation....
Hi Lynn, I have also been "pondering" ways to write but more importantly, time to write! I like the idea of 20 minutes and I have noticed that when I listen to a subliminal meditation the words flow much easier.
This works well for me and I have come to realize why I felt frustrated about many events in my life. I didn't allow myself time to sit (be still) and let my thoughts process!
I also get some of my best idea early in the morning before that fist cup of coffee/diet coke.
I appreciate the article and thanks for your contribution.
Success starts from within,
Cindy
Very Nice
Great tips here, Lynn. Thanks for bring this helpful information to us.
Very Nice
Great tips here, Lynn. Thanks for bring this helpful information to us.
Your tips have given me hope!
It seems that my writing skills are OK... some might even say a bit above average, BUT... I am slower than molasses in January (as my Mother used to say)! The ideas you posted give me hope that I might actually become productive in the "article writing area". :-D
Very interesting...
I have to try this!
Thanks for sharing!
To your massive success
Volker