How to Write Faster: 12 Proven Techniques to Double Your Speed
Updated 2026-03-21 · 10 min read
Quick Answer
The average person writes 40 words per minute by hand and 60-80 words per minute typing. Professional writers produce 500-2,000 words per hour. With the right techniques, you can double your writing speed in 2-4 weeks.
Average Writing Speeds
| Method | Speed | Words Per Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Handwriting | 13-20 wpm | 800-1,200 words |
| Average typing | 40-60 wpm | 1,000-1,500 words |
| Fast typing (80+ wpm) | 80-100 wpm | 1,500-2,500 words |
| Voice dictation | 120-150 wpm | 2,000-3,500 words |
| Professional writer (typing) | 60-80 wpm | 1,500-3,000 words |
| Professional writer (dictation) | 120-150 wpm | 3,000-5,000 words |
1. Outline Before You Write
The single biggest speed killer is figuring out what to say while writing. Separate thinking from writing. Spend 10-15 minutes outlining your entire piece — main points, supporting evidence, key transitions — before typing a single word. A clear outline can double your drafting speed because you never stare at a blank screen wondering what comes next.
Use bullet points, not full sentences, for your outline. The goal is a roadmap, not a first draft. Most professional writers spend 20-30% of their total writing time on outlining and research, which makes the actual writing phase 2-3x faster.
2. Write First, Edit Later
Editing while writing is like driving with the brake on. Your inner editor kills flow and momentum. Set a timer for 25 minutes (Pomodoro technique) and write without stopping — no backspace, no spell check, no re-reading. You can fix everything later.
This technique works because writing and editing use different cognitive processes. Writing is creative (right brain). Editing is analytical (left brain). Switching between them constantly is exhausting and slow. Batch your editing into a separate session.
3. Try Voice Dictation
Speaking is 3-5x faster than typing. Most people speak at 130-150 words per minute versus typing at 40-80 wpm. Modern voice dictation tools (Google Docs voice typing, Otter.ai, macOS Dictation) are 95%+ accurate. Dictate your first draft, then edit the transcript.
Voice dictation is especially powerful for long-form content like blog posts, newsletters, and book chapters. The conversational tone of dictated content often sounds more natural and engaging than typed content. Many bestselling authors (including Tim Ferriss and James Clear) use dictation for first drafts.
4. Use Templates and Frameworks
Do not reinvent the wheel for every piece of content. Blog posts follow predictable structures (intro → problem → solution → examples → conclusion). Emails follow patterns (context → ask → CTA). Having templates for your common content types eliminates structural decisions and lets you focus on filling in the unique content.
Create a "swipe file" of your best-performing content. When you need to write something similar, use the structure of a past success and swap in new content. This can cut writing time by 40-50% for recurring content types.
5. Eliminate Distractions
Context switching costs 23 minutes of focus per interruption (University of California research). Turn off notifications, close email, use website blockers (Freedom, Cold Turkey), and write in a distraction-free environment. Even having your phone visible on your desk reduces cognitive capacity by 10% (University of Texas study).
The most productive writers work in focused blocks of 60-90 minutes with breaks in between. Two focused 60-minute writing sessions produce more output than four scattered 30-minute sessions interrupted by emails and messages.
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Open Word Counter →Frequently Asked Questions
How can I write faster?
The most effective techniques are: outline before writing, separate drafting from editing, use voice dictation (3-5x faster than typing), use templates for common formats, and eliminate distractions during writing sessions.
How many words per hour should I write?
A professional writer produces 1,000-2,000 words per hour of polished content. First drafts can be written at 1,500-3,000 words per hour. If you are under 500 words per hour, techniques like outlining and dictation can double your speed.
Is voice dictation faster than typing?
Yes — significantly. Average speaking speed is 130-150 wpm versus average typing speed of 40-60 wpm. Modern dictation tools are 95%+ accurate. Dictate your first draft, then edit for a 2-3x speed improvement.
How long should it take to write a 1,000-word article?
A 1,000-word article should take 30-60 minutes for an experienced writer (including outlining). Beginners might take 1-2 hours. With practice and the right techniques, you can consistently produce 1,000 polished words in under 45 minutes.