How to Write More Words in Less Time

We all lead busy lives where our time seems to always get the best of us. We desire to write and finish our projects, but also work full-time and have other responsibilities. What if I could tell you how to maximize your small chunk of writing time? In this post, we’re going to explore how to incorporate writing sprints into your routine that will have you writing more words in less time.

What is a Writing Sprint?

The words “writing sprint” can sound daunting if you have never heard of it. A writing sprint is when you identify a chunk of time and write as much as you can during that time without distractions. You turn off your phone, tell people to leave you alone, and focus on your document for the amount of time you decide. While sprinting, you try to get as many words on the page as possible without over-editing yourself. After finishing a sprint, you take a small break and then write again. You continue this process until you are done with your writing time. If you’re familiar with the Pomodoro technique, using sprints is similar except you can pick your own time.

How Do You Figure Out Your Optimal Writing Sprint Time?

Optimal writing sprint time is when you get the most words done without diminishing returns. There are multiple ways you can figure out your optimal sprinting time. You can try different sprint times and break times and write down how many words you get in a journal. You could compare how you feel writing at different times during the day by keeping a log. However, the easiest way I have found to find your optimal writing sprint time is by participating in Heart Breathing’s Sprinting Challenge. In this challenge, you complete a series of writing sessions at different times of the day with different sprint and break lengths over the course of five days. After your writing sessions, you complete free worksheets about how you feel and record how many words you wrote. Then, you break these counts down to WPM (words per minute) to find your best sprint. After completing the challenge, you have the data to know your best sprint time.

My Optimal Writing Sprint Time

After completing Heart Breathing’s Writing Sprint Challenge, I found my best writing sprint time is 15-minute writing sprints with five-minute breaks in between. The best time for me to write is in the afternoon after lunch or in the early evening. I can get anywhere between 25-30 WPM when doing this. I don’t always follow this though since life is always busy, so I write when I can. Most of the time it is in the late evenings or during my lunch break, but I still stick to my 15 minute sprint time even if it isn’t my optimal time of day. I find that my word count doesn’t diminish much based on what time I write. If I can find an hour and a half of time, I can do four 15-minute writing sprints and get between 1,500-2,000 words. By following this strategy, I write more words in less time rather than sitting in front of my screen for an hour trying to put words on the page. This helps with my concentration and urgency since I know I only have 15 minutes to get some words in. The breaks between the sprints allow me to refocus and ponder the manuscript I’m working on. All in all, this has been my favorite strategy to help me write more words in the limited writing time I do have.

How to Try Writing Sprints

You can incorporate writing sprints into your writing routine by choosing a set sprint length and trying it out. Make an appointment for some writing time or decide to do sprints the next time you sit down to do some drafting instead of showing up with no game plan. I find that setting mini goals during each sprint can help you focus. For example, you can focus on editing a whole chapter during a sprint, or trying to write a certain number of words. Even with a small niche of time, you can incorporate one to two sprints, depending on what your best timing is and complete a few writing goals.

Conclusion

Writing sprints may seem simple, but they can transform the way you write especially when time is limited. By identifying your optimal sprint time and approaching each session with focus and intention, you’ll be amazed at how much progress you can make. So the next time you sit down to write, set a timer, block out distractions, and sprint your way to a more productive writing habit. Your future draft will thank you.