Yes, I Really Write an Average of 10K Words Per Day
In the massive competition for attention, quality content has been revered now more than ever. With the rise and fall of click-baits, readers are now more informed about the traps of headlines and the publications who use them just to lure “clicks” in. So, the battle now for is not just about headlines; of course, headlines are still important, but the audience is now demanding for something more. Quality.
From helming an independent publication, THE REVOLUZIONNE, writing books and creating content for clients, my days are filled with me facing my computer and simply writing. Yes. I really write an average of about 10,000 words a day. There are days when it’s lower than that and others where I’m really zoned in. Still, I would like to impart my 2 cents to you to help you create quality content while still intelligently competing for quantity.
10 thousand words in a day did not come in a swoop. I spend years and years and writing and studying journalism. I came from being able to muster a measly 500-word essay a day to 2 thousand to 3 thousand and so on. So, you have to understand that this is not a quick fix. Instead, see how you can practice these habits so you can eventually find your way up to 10 thousand words.
Master The Fundamentals
There are fundamentals in every industry. In Mathematics, there are ways of understanding arithmetic. In sciences, there are laws of Physics that you cannot defy. It’s the same with writing. You have to understand how the basic works so you can manipulate it and eventually form your own writing style.
Read the dictionary to expand your vocabulary. As you discover more words, you learn to tell stories in a different light. Associated Press news writing style is also advisable for whatever form of writing. In our marketing agency, PleXuss Creatives, AP is integrated in all writing formats. There are different writing styles, but what you can learn in AP is the structure in story-telling.
It does not matter whether you are writing a novel, a blog post or a social media post. The fundamentals are the same.
Dedicate 2 Hours Everyday For Reading
This may not be what you would expect since we all know that writing would require you to write and not read. However, reading expands your mind muscles. The same as the tip above, it does not matter what type of reading you do for as long as you read every day. Even Warren Buffet dedicates hours in a day just to read.
It is good to read news and articles, but I would also advise that you read an actual book when doing this practice. When you are reading online, there is a big chance you would get distracted and not finish the article you started with. However, with actual books, you don’t have Facebook pings or email alerts to bug you off your reading time. Most often, if you really get enticed by the story, you’d even find yourself reading through hours away.
I know we’re all busy, but I honestly believe that if you want to, you can find a way. To create time for this new practice, you can wake up a little bit earlier or chop off time on your Netflix binging.
Reading is essential to being a good writer because it adds to your background knowledge. For example, before reading Socrates, you are less aware about the philosophy of politics. But, after gaining wisdom on this philosopher, you now have multiple references to use if you’re going to talk or write about the government and the politics at play.
It also helps to have a different perspective to your stories and this makes your cases stronger.
Another 2 Hours For Pirate Exploration
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be a literary nomad to find inspiration. You don’t need to go to a different country just to let your evocative inspiration flow. I believe Arnold Arre says it best:
“Inspiration is everywhere…Get out. Talk to people, friends, family, loved ones. Draw inspiration from everyday life. It has inexhaustible references and is always original.”
Life is happening around us all the time. Whether it is the bartender at 5th street or the guy who sells t-shirts on the street. There are millions and millions of stories to tell every day and all you have to do is watch and learn.
Most of the time, you don’t even need to get an interview with another person. You just need to see how the life from their perspective.
Explore the world around you because every little thing matters. In one way or another, as cliché as it may sound, the bustling trees or the skies during sunset can really give you an added perspective.
Know that you need to go out there so you can tell a better story.
Conclusion
Remember, writing is about sharing what you have in your mind and opinions. So, to be able to write about anything, you have got to live your own life as well and learn from others.
You may have some time to adjust in bringing up your word count, but progress each day makes the difference.
That’s all there is to it.
Make everyday a progress day.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pat Villaceran is an author and social entrepreneur. She builds companies that foster excellence and social responsibility. She focuses on finance, media, publishing and other ventures. She also mentors entrepreneurs and career personalities on success, high-level business strategies, global market expansion and more. She speaks at events to share her knowledge on entrepreneurship and social awareness. Pat is also an independent publisher and her books are available at THE REVOLUZIONNE Library.
