How to Speed Up Your Writing

If you're a writer who visits forums about writing, then you may have noticed one discussion topic cropping up again and again: How long should it take to write an article? Which is then usually followed by various people boasting how it takes them half an hour to write a 500-word article, with images.

Which makes me wary of the article quality - who can research and write a 500-page article in half an hour? Do they revise their writing or do they just post? Are they talking about blog posts or third-person articles? Agreed, an expert on a field who has done topic and image research previously could write a clear article off the top of her/his head. But otherwise I'd say don't worry about how long it takes . Do the best job you can with proper research, quotes and images and worry about improving your speed later. It'll follow naturally. And nothing is as rewarding as getting praise for a well-researched and helpful article.

But there are a few ways to speed up typing: learn useful keyboards shortcuts and special character shortcuts that you use often, for example when you write in or about a different language. Here are a few articles of mine on the subject:

• Keyboard shortcuts for writer
• Typing special German letters fast
• Typing special Spanish letters fast
• Decoding text messaging lingo - for sms use only, don't write articles in sms short forms

Happy writing!

Oh, by the way, that beautiful picture above is of Molokini Crater in Hawaii - it's a snorkelers' and scuba divers' paradise. It is one of the best pictures I've used this week; it was for an article I did on submarine volcanoes - check it out if you would like to know more.

And in case you were wondering - it took me about 60 minutes to write this post, including spell check, image, links and revisions.

Getting Paid as a Freelance Writer

One topic I'll keep coming back to in this blog because it's so central to freelance writing is getting paid. I couldn't say it better than one of the writers on Freelance Writing Jobs, one of the most helpful blogs for freelance writers out there: "There are only two types of freelance writers: Those who have been stiffed and those who will be."

Truer words were never spoken. If you belong to the lucky group who has not yet been left unpaid after a gig - brace yourself, the client will come along who thinks that you might not be interested in getting paid for your work.

I belong to the group who almost got stiffed. I took on this job back in September and from the beginning, I had a feeling about it because the way the project was organized (not at all) and the way it was approached (unprofessional) made me want to back out. But, back then, work was scarce and I took it. I did a good job, finished almost a week before deadline, submitted my invoice and waited. And waited. Checked back after a month - send me your invoice again. Did that, checked back after two weeks. The client hasn't paid yet. Checked back the following week, nothing.

After two months, I suggested I'd contact the client directly. Suddenly, the client had paid. Send us your mailing address, we'll send you a check. My mailing address is of course located on top of my invoices, but never mind, I sent it again. And waited. Checked back after a week. The client made out the check to us, the middle men. We'll make out a check soon, it'll reach you any day.

So again I waited for my check, without results. Now, I sent an sms, inquiring if the check may have been lost in the mail? No, we haven't sent it yet. We're having a cash crunch at the office. I dryly remarked that I could relate to that. They were really sorry but - no money.

Finally, three months later and into the new year, I did something I usually don't: I referred to personal circumstances and how my life got affected by not receiving the money. It was a last resort because reasoning (work done, invoice raised, follow-up, reminders) had failed. And, would you know it, one week later, I had a check! I say "a check" because they sent me half the money. Remember, their cash crunch?

What do you do in that case? Of course, I was happy to have gotten something but I also wanted to close the chapter with this client. First I cashed the check, then I waited a bit, and then tried yet another avenue: contacts. And this finally work. Another four weeks later, I have received a second check with the other half of the money. Hallelujah!

So, I guess what I have learned is that

• don't write off money that is owed to you so easily,


• be polite yet persistent,


• try different ways of contact (phone, email, sms),


• evaluate your approach and try something new.

Good luck to anyone chasing money out there!

Why waiting for a job is like waiting for Prince Charming

Do you know that feeling - you've written job applications or query letters and you're just waiting for someone (anyone!) to get back to you? Well, truth be told - if people are interested, they will get back sooner rather than later. So if you're still waiting after, let's say, a month, then something went wrong.

But instead of reflecting on what we could improve, we often either keep waiting or keep applying the same way, with the same strategy. I wonder what turns us into that electric toy that has reached the wall but still keeps running full speed ahead, walking in place? Is it because we are used to one method of doing something and feel secure doing it? Even though it may not return results? Or is it the process itself, the black abyss that applications and query letters seem to be falling into, never to be heard of again?

I was just thinking about that when an analogy struck me - waiting for a job is like waiting for Prince Charming! Destructive because it ain't gonna happen. But the question is why would we engage in as silly a behavior well into our careers? I mean, waiting for Prince Charming could be excused with inexperience. But waiting for a job? What makes us so hopeful? And why do we sometimes forget that unless we cause it, nothing is going to happen.

Not that we shouldn't be hopeful. Hope is a wonderful thing. After all, it keeps us going. But there should be some basis to it. Sure, we've written those applications and query letters, which is great. But if after the 20th letter, no response (not even a 'no') is forthcoming, then we should look at our strategy:

• Am I to the point? Are potential clients or employers turned off by a long letter or resume?


• Is my approach working? Am I putting my best foot forward? Or could I advocate myself better?


• Are my samples up to the mark? Do I need to do more research?


• Are my rates in line with market expectations? Am I competitive?


• Am I applying for the right kind of jobs? Maybe I need to scale down or gain more experience.


• Are my references up-to-date?


• And what about grammar, spelling, etc.? Should I give my resume one more person to read before it goes out? For an important job, the cover letter too. (If you're not sending cover letters - forget it! Why deprive yourself of that extra selling tool?)

Well, whatever it is, there are plenty of reasons to check and double check one's approach. So that the Prince-Charming job can be captured - hook, line and sinker!

What are you waiting for?

Advantage No. 3: Article Requests

Has it happened to you that a friend or colleague said: "I wish there was an article on XYZ topic" and you were actually able to help them out by writing it?

This is easy to do if you have a writing outlet (i.e., the web site, blog or print publication you write for) that lets you publish in a variety of areas.

Though it rarely happens that one is an expert on the topic requested, it is all the more rewarding when it happens. Because a) you are helping a friend and b) you are filling a gap by answering a request, and c) you don’t have to search for a useful topic.

My article on how to type special German letters like the umlauts and ß fast by using keyboard shortcuts elicited the response: “I wish that was available for Spanish!” Well, that was one request I could fulfill easily. Here’s the article link for anyone interested.

Happy writing!

Another Avantage: Instant Feedback

Probably one of the most rewarding aspects of writing is feedback. Positive feedback but also constructive negative feedback. Especially when writing for the Web, feedback often follows instantly in the form of comments.

I just love it when I check on the articles I have published and see that they have received comments. Often, a discussion about an aspect of the article gets going, which can be very productive. Or someone adds an aspects that I had not thought of. Or adds something based on their own experience. Or points me to a connection I was not aware of. Or just complements me on a good article, which makes my day. But I am also grateful for constructive criticism, maybe a viewpoint or resource I missed.

What I can't stand is purely negative feedback that serves no purpose. For example, I got slammed by an anonymous commenter for one typo I had made in a 600-word article. Needless to say, that person's post was riddled with typos. What is the point of such a post? Is it frustration with not being able to publish? Or was that poster just having a bad day? I don't know, but I usually don't give it much thought. And wherever I have the choice, don't post criticism that slams without being constructive.

On the other hand, when I see an article that sheds light on a topic in a new way or brings an important topic to the foreground, I can't stop myself from giving feedback immediately. Either by recommending the writing, passing it on, or leaving a comment for the author.

So, we are indeed lucky that we don't write into a black abyss any more or have to wait weeks or months for feedback (as it was in print days). What do you think, was feedback more constructive when people were forced to send their comments as a well thought-out letter or do you think the spontaneity of comments is preferrable?

Appreciating your comments!

Why this blog

An economic downturn, bad writing flooding print but especially online media, and yes, the dreaded $3-5 articles. Though times for writers are not necessarily bad, one often gets the impression that there are a lot of forces out there that try to discourage us.

This scenario coupled with an experience that cheesed me off this morning brought on the idea for this blog - the writer's advantage.

No matter where you are in your writing career and no matter what you are trying to accomplish at the moment, if you have the drive to write and you value quality, you have nothing to worry about.
Because whatever happens, your talent will not go away. In fact, the more you hone it, the more it will grow. So even if you're going through a dry patch right now, hang in there, keep up the good work and wait for the next gig to come along.

In the meantime, your writing skills can come in handy (and might even pay off) in unexpected ways.
Consider this: I was trying to sign up for an online class that advertised a group discount on their web site if one found two other students. Fine, that I did and happily we got together to sign up. But, there was a catch. They offer five courses on a related subject and the three students had to take exactly the same class to avail of the discount. Why, I ask? The business is the same, they are selling three courses of approximately the same value, what's the fuss all about? No can do, when we asked them, they gave their inflexible ordering system as an excuse. Don't you hate it when they do that? Why can't they admit that nobody is willing to make a decision instead of blaming it on "the system"? Anyway, we've all been there with banks, online retailers and their offers, travel agents - you name it!

But the great thing is, as a writer, you have the advantage, you can voice your opinion. If nothing else, at least you've made yourself heard. Which is exactly what I did, I very politely sent them a to-the-point email and asked them to revise their policy. Now they have it, black on white, in their files. And I've done something. And can add "writing customer service letters" to my resume.

Cheers to that!