A Way To Write More By Writing Less

Write when you want to, not when you need to.

The more efficient you try to be at a given task, the more you will end up hating it. 
— Nassim N. Taleb

I don’t force myself to write. I don’t schedule writing. I don’t try to fit creativity within a certain time frame. Instead, I write whenever I’m inspired. Whether it’s after a walk, a shower, or after reading a book, I start writing as soon as I can.
I dive in. It’s the only thing that will matter for next couple of hours. I close my door. I put my bulky headphone on, without music, just to cut the sound.

I write everything I can when an idea is at its freshest. Every story. Every argument. Every example. Everything that comes in mind. But I never let it unfinished, or else it’s a waste for me. Going back to an unfinished story, without the feeling that drove the story in the first place, is tough. Sometimes impossible to come back to it.

Of course, not every moment gives the opportunity to write immediately after having an idea. But I use a note app like Google Keep and squeeze every thought my mind come up with.

It’s not about the amount of time spent writing but more about the intensity of time spent writing.

With intensity, you can write a whole story within an hours or two. With moderation, you can spend 4 to 5 hours on the same story without getting anywhere because you are more likely going to be distracted or preoccupied or unmotivated.

Writing when an idea is fresh and exciting — executing it right away — is the best way to write more by writing less.
It’s the most enjoyable part of writing. Focus. Certain. Fast. Careless of the world around you.

Don’t think about the details. Just let yourself go where your mind wants to go. Without any judgment.

Write when you want to, not when you need to.

Write as much as you want, for as long as you want, with intensity and focus.

Intensity rather than moderation.

Original article on Medium: https://writingcooperative.com/a-way-to-write-more-by-writing-less-10e9e489899d