Writing FAST - Jeff Bollow 2012

Take breathers
Ride your wave to the end
Apply

As you apply your Focus Plan, even at the optimal speed, you need to take a breather from time to time. You’re focused on an idea very intensely. Give your mind a break.

Remember Chapter 4? Well, there’s something you should know about it.

I wrote it twice.

That’s right. On my computer, I’ve got two separate versions of the same chapter.

Here’s what happened.

I had been writing all day, and I hadn’t stepped away from my computer in about twelve hours (!). It was before I wrote this section of the book, so while I “knew” all about how to turn my plan into words, I didn’t really know it in my gut.

In the early evening, I’d nearly finished the first Chapter 4.

But when I read it back, my mind started playing tricks on me. I began over-thinking it. No, no, no. This line isn’t right. Aw, that’s so confusing. Jeez, this part over here is terrible.

I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t concentrate. I’d been staring at the screen for so long, I despised every word I had written.

My eyes were bleary. I was just tired of hearing myself talk.

At about nine o’clock at night, I freaked out. My writing was going nowhere, and I felt the weight of my deadline thundering down on me.

So I chucked the whole chapter out the window, and started again. I wrote quickly and furiously. And the words poured out of me. I made a huge revelation, and I was riding the wave. And it was awesome. I loved it. I felt like I had finally hit my stride. I might even finish the book on time after all.

Well two days later, I re-read both versions of Chapter 4. And guess what I discovered.

They were both fine. Can you believe that? Both of them!

Now I had the added problem of having to blend two completely different chapters into one effective one! Arrrrrrgh.

If only I’d taken a break. I would’ve seen it all more clearly.

Writing at the speed we’re writing, you’re incredibly focused. You need to shake that off when you’re done.

Or you won’t see the forest for the trees.