Bollow - Writing FAST: How to Write Anything with Lightning Speed

Writing FAST

by Jeff Bollow

Special Introduction to the Ebook Version

Lets cut to the chase.

Youre here because you want to write something.

Or because you have to write something.

Either way: Im going to show you exactly how to write better than youve ever written faster than you ever thought possible.

How?

By demystifying the writing process. By turning it into a simple, step-by-step system.

Once you learn the simple steps, youll move through them quickly and painlessly. As you master the process, youll begin to write intuitively.

Heres how it works:

FAST is an acronym. It stands for F ocus, A pply, S trengthen, T weak the four phases of this writing system.

In the Focus Phase, you focus your ideas into a plan. You explore all your ideas and shape them into a powerful roadmap that will guide your writing.

In the Apply Phase, you apply that plan. You use your roadmap to blast words onto the page as quickly as possible, so stray ideas wont derail you.

In the Strengthen Phase, you strengthen what youve written. You analyze your writing objectively and map out a rewrite that transforms your work into exactly what you want to say.

In the Tweak Phase, you tweak the read. You fine-tune your words to grab the readers eyes and pull them down the page, so your work reads fast.

As the whole process snaps into place, youll fly through the steps as a process as if the entire system were one big step. Youll turn new ideas into quality writing with surprising speed.

And because its a system, the more you use it, the faster and better your writing becomes.

A Universal Process

A lot has changed in the 8 years since this book was written.

Facebook and Twitter changed the way we connect with one another. The iPhone and iPad put the worlds knowledge at our fingertips everywhere we go. Ebooks went mainstream and transformed the publishing world.

But you know what?

Absolutely nothing has changed with the writing process.

In fact, the process is the same today as it was thousands of years ago. Its the same in every country, in every language, with every project, for every writer.

Think about it. What is writing?

Its the process of turning the ideas in your head into words on the page so that when a reader reads your words in a different time and place, the ideas in your head will appear clearly in their head.

No matter what youre writing books, blogs, screenplays, emails, or even a doctoral thesis the process is the same. You have to focus your ideas, apply them to the page, strengthen until theyre solid, and tweak for impact.

The tools and techniques you use may change. The distribution format might evolve. The type of writing may have a different purpose.

But the process will always be the same.

This book is about the process.

Its about getting your ideas into your readers head... fast.

How to Use This Book

This book has only one rule: Dont just read it.

Do it.

Writing is experiential.

And no one can teach you an experience its something you need to go through in your own way.

You cant learn how to write by reading about it. You actually have to write. Physically. Like, sitting in the chair and banging it out. Even when you dont want to. ( Especially when you dont want to.)

So in this book, Im going to guide you through the experience the experience of the system, which is by default an experience of the writing process.

Ill explain how the system works, and then Ill prompt you to do it.

In the first 3 chapters, Ill give you background info and setup, to prepare you for it. In the last 3 chapters, Ill snap it all together with a big payoff, so you can get the most out of it in the real world.

But in the middle the 12 chapters at the heart of this book is the system.

Each of the 4 phases of the writing process (Focus, Apply, Strengthen, Tweak) gets 3 chapters. At the end of each chapter are 5 Simple Steps.

Do those steps. The chapter content helps you understand them. The steps themselves are the actions to take.

There are two ways to do it. I suggest deciding upfront which way you prefer, and then sticking with it throughout the book:

1) Read the book completely, to understand how it works and how all the pieces snap together. When youre finished, go back and apply the 5 simple steps to a real-world writing project.

Or:

2) Read the book as you write something. Preferably, use a short-form writing project (like an email or an article or short story) just to get the hang of how the system works. You can apply it to a long-form project (like a book or screenplay) afterwards.

But be warned: If you choose the first option, you will intellectualize this process. Since reading is intangible, the ideas will exist only in your mind. Its like trying to learn the piano without ever tapping the keys. If you do that, you may find this book to be chatty or wordy, or you might get hung up on some of my metaphors, or the way I write.

But if you do the steps, the explanations make more sense because you unlock the hidden layer of this book your experience. You personalize it and make it tangible.

And it will transform the way you write.

Please dont consider the book finished until youve physically taken a writing project through the steps. These are not just words on a page. Theyre a prompt to action.

A Quick Word About My Style

As you can see, Ive written this book in a conversational tone.

Theres a reason for that.

Im assuming youre like me or like the thousands of writers from around the world that Ive had the privilege of teaching.

Im assuming you write reluctantly .

Most of us struggle to write. We often stare endlessly at the blank page. When we do put down some words, we second-guess them. And ourselves. Sure, sometimes it flows effortlessly (and in those moments we love writing), but most of the time, its just hard. Its a chore. Its painful. But in the back of our minds we know if we dont do it, it wont get done. So we put pressure on ourselves to be good and to hurry up, and it scares us and frazzles our nerves!

Sound familiar?

Of course it does. Were all in the same boat. Writing can be scary. Youre putting yourself out there.

So heres my thinking:

What if a friend could guide you through the experience ? Wouldnt the whole thing be a lot less daunting? I think so. And Ive chosen this conversational tone in order to be that friendly guide for you.

Ive tried to write this as if Im standing right next to you. Looking over your shoulder with a smile.

Ill speak casually. Use sentence fragments. Paint word pictures. Probably even get a little silly at times.

But Ill encourage you. Maybe even inspire you. And I hope to absolutely convince you that you can do this.

Sometimes Ill get so excited myself that you may think, Oh come on. Does this guy really feel that way? I dont buy it.

Yes!, I really feel that way! I promise I wont use any exclamation points I dont mean.

See, heres the thing:

I want you to write. Seriously. My efforts are wasted if you dont.

And I know you can do this. (If I can do it, you can.) I want to push you through whatever procrastination, fear, self-doubt, or hesitation is holding you back.

If I can get a little philosophical for a minute:

I really believe that every man, woman, and child who has ever lived (or will ever live) has something valuable to say. I believe that you exist to share whats in your mind. You have experiences no one else will ever have which give you an imagination no one else will ever see. I believe the rest of us need you to share it. Whether its fiction or nonfiction, whether its a huge novel or a mid-term report or a tiny email, I believe that when you share your ideas, my world can be better. Because ideas spark ideas. Yours could have a far-reaching impact, in ways you cant possibly predict while its still spinning in your head.