Writing FAST - Jeff Bollow 2012

Sharpen it into a fast read
Meet the FAST system
The setup

The final phase of the FAST System is T, for Tweak.

Most writers’ biggest mistake is that they just can’t resist tweaking while they’re getting their words on the page. But tweaking is a Left-brain job, and getting words on the page is a Right-brain job. By giving each side of the brain its own time in the spotlight, we’ve freed you up to fly through it.

During the Tweak, we’re not looking for structural changes. We’re not asking ourselves if the idea is building. The Stack Test cleared all that for us. And you shouldn’t even be thinking about the Tweak phase until you know for certain the work is solid.

When you get to the Tweak, it’s about speed and impact.

Your attention is on the reader. You’ll be reading your work as if you were the reader!

As a producer seeking screenplays, I was always astounded by how few writers seemed to care about the reader. They didn’t bother to correct typos or adjust sentences to control the ride. You’d be shocked at some of the sloppy scripts I’ve seen.

You won’t do that.

Tweaking is about grabbing the reader’s eyeballs and pulling them down the page. At the speed you want them to go.

It’s about fixing sentences, correcting grammar, and making sure your writing has the precise effect you want it to have.

And finishing it up in record time.