Writing FAST - Jeff Bollow 2012

Fix and move on
Amplify for maximum effect
Strengthen

Now, do you remember how quickly you went through the Apply phase? Notice how speed made the whole process easier.

Well, in this phase, you’re letting the Movie Critic out, and allowing him to point out the flaws in your work.

You’ve got to keep that guy on a short leash.

He can make a criticism, but as soon as you fix it, he’s not allowed to say any more.

Not until you come back later.

For example, let’s say you read a segment of a chapter you’ve written, and the voice in your head says it’s clumsy and wordy, and the idea isn’t clear. You need to Edit it.

Cool. No problem. You take out three paragraphs here, slide two up from the bottom, rewrite the next one, and then add two new paragraphs at the end. Then you read it back over.

Here’s the important part.

If it’s close, move on.

Forget making it perfect. And this is absolutely 100% vital if you’re writing long-form (novels, books, screenplays, etc). If it’s close, move on!

Don’t dwell on it. Don’t keep spinning your wheels. Nobody knows the order you wrote each chapter! Heck, you could even start at the end and work your way back to the beginning!

Your reader would never know.

So go FAST. The faster you fix, the easier fixing will be.

That’s not permission to be sloppy. Be honest when you grade. If it isn’t clear, don’t grade higher because you’re bored.

But don’t go around in circles, either.

As you fix it and move on, you’ll gradually push each chunk through each stage of revision. And if you follow this system, you’ll be done faster than you ever thought possible.

If you’re already applying this book, you can see it for yourself. (I’m seeing it with my own writing, so I know it’s effective!)

If you’re still just reading, get started soon.

And then you’ll be nearly finished by now.