Writing FAST - Jeff Bollow 2012

Sharpen your read speed in 5 easy steps
Sharpen the speed of the read
Tweak

Congratulations on getting to the Tweak phase. You let go. Be proud! And now you’ll steer the words. Here are the five easy steps for tweaking the Macro level of your project.

1. Re-read refreshed.

Take a break before you do this. Don’t go directly from the Strengthen phase into this one. Your brain might fall out of your head. Get some distance, so your words can affect you. When you’re refreshed, then:

2. Take the ride.

Read through your work, and let it wash over you. Don’t fix or adjust. You’re not focused on the ideas anymore (those work already). Pay attention to the ride the words take you on. And as you do:

3. Find the missing impact points.

Any time you expect a different impact to what you get, jot it down. If you expect a bang and get a whimper, make a note. Don’t stop, though. Jot a quick symbol and keep reading. Hang onto the flow. When you’re done, then:

4. Fill and tighten.

Go back through your pages and expand the symbols. Make notes. Anything that has “too much too quick” needs to be filled. Anything that drags or crawls along needs to be tightened. When you’ve got your notes, then:

5. Create a Speed Plan.

Like all your plans, this one is as detailed or as simple as you like. Determine where you need to steer, and give yourself the map to get there.

As you read, respond instinctively. Depending on your deadlines, do this twice, or three times. Use freshly printed pages each time, and take a break between each read. You’ll respond differently each time you read it. Notice similarities.

In the Strengthen phase, we made each element effective. Now, you’re judging the impact, and spotting where to hone.