How Journalists Write So Much, So Fast

The 14 tips:

1. Research to prove or disprove hypotheses, vs trying to boil the ocean by seeing what’s out there.


2. If doing stakeholder interviews, at the end of the day discuss the key themes, write them down, order them and use this as your skeleton.


3. Don’t waste time transcribing. Use tools like Fireflies AI or Otter.AI. They get you 80% there.


4. Identify

... See more

As for how to write well, here's the short version: Write a bad version 1 as fast as you can; rewrite it over and over; cut out everything unnecessary; write in a conversational tone; develop a nose for bad writing, so you can see and fix it in yours; imitate writers you like; if you can't get started, tell someone what you plan to write about, the... See more

Editing is easier when you know the patterns_

When it comes to essay writing, the idea of “patterns over process,” is just as relevant.

Tootzi instilled a philosophy of “all that exists is the artifact that’s on the table.” It doesn’t matter if your ideas come from your mind, your heart, your soul, your belly button, the tops of mountains, a bottle ... See more

I find that it’s in this search for aesthetic satisfaction that so many of the best lessons are found. I’m not talking about ornamentation or bells and whistles. I’m taking about the beauty of the four Cs: Clarity, cohesion, consistency, and conciseness. If you have the eye, you’ll recognize them easily (even if getting there isn’t quite so easy).

T... See more