Writing FAST - Jeff Bollow 2012

The logic of your work
Inspect what you have
Strengthen

Your brain is a filter.

Think about the last time you were presented with an idea.

You thought about it. You held it up against what you already know about the world. If it seemed reasonable, you let that idea in. If not, you rejected it.

You filtered it! You didn’t just accept the idea at face value (unless you were sleepy).

And it happened instantly.

In fact, you’re doing it right now!

As you read through this book, the FAST System is making more and more sense to you — and as you see it more clearly, you’re either embracing it, or rejecting it.

And it depends on what’s already in your brain.

If you already write fast, you’ll be comparing what you do with what I’m suggesting. If it matches, you’ll take this on board.

But if this is new to you, you’ll be busy imagining how you would apply it. If it makes sense, you’ll accept it, right?

Every brain is a logic filter. Yours is filtering my writing. Your reader’s will filter your writing! And that’s why logic is so fundamentally important.

If you’re writing non-fiction, your case must be clear. Concise. Your progression must make sense. The idea must get clearer and more distinct with each page they read.

If it doesn’t — if there are any holes along the way — your reader rejects it, and the writing is unsuccessful. (That’s when you say ridiculous things like, “It sucks.”)

With fiction writing, your story also needs logic and progression. It’s known as the “internal consistency” of your story. All stories have to make sense. The reader must understand why this scene comes after that one. When a story “builds,” it really just means your brain can piece it together effectively.

So as you read your work, watch how it builds.

Have you made any logic mistakes? Is it progressing the way it should? Is the idea becoming clearer? Are there any holes?

Remember, don’t get stuck trying to fix it yet. You need to get the overall effect of the whole thing, first. Just keep an eye out for the logic and progression of your writing.

Make notes and keep moving. We’ll fix it later.