How I Write 1000 Words Per Day (almost)

Рет қаралды 14,084

Күн бұрын

My goal this year is to become a better writer. There are no 'hacks' in this journey -the only fruit comes from consistent daily practice.
It's not the only mark of success, but volume matters. It's how you practice new techniques, learn from your mistakes and get a deeper understanding of the craft.
Over the past year or so, I have built myself a solid writing habit that helps me bash out 1000 words most days. It's not perfect. It never will be. And yet, in the long-run, it's going to pay off in my skill as a writer.
Here I share eight tips that helped me build this habit, and I hope even one can become a valuable new tool in your own approach. Enjoy.
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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00-1:35 Testimony
1:35-2:22 Tip 1 - Track Word Count
2:22-4:34 Quantity Isn't Everything
4:34-6:08 Tip 2 - Write On Your Phone
6:08-8:27 Tip 3 - Write Different Styles
8:27-10:21 Tip 4 - Write What You Love
10:21-11:56 Tip 5 - Plan Future Writing
11:56-15:03 Tip 6 - Write in Public
15:03-15:27 Newsletter
15:27-18:06 Tip 7 - Quick First Draft to Beat Perfectionism
18:06-19:40 Tip 8 - Walk, Write, Walk Again

Пікірлер: 108

@dvar23 Ай бұрын

You may not be the “how to make 10k on the side” bro, but you are my “10k words on the side” bro.

@tandrapaul9119 Ай бұрын

The old singer sewing machine I see in this video reminded me of my mom . She used to love working on a sewing machine and we still have the machine. I know this is not something related to this video but still it shows how any scenario can make u miss someone who's not with us anymore.

@SweatyHandsCrazy 14 күн бұрын

I might write something about that...

@antonybrennan Ай бұрын

I have been writing five hundred words a day for years. These days I am writing one thousand words a day, and sometimes more. I have found that, for me at least, the best way to proceed is to write down a series of questions about the subject I want to be writing about, rather than topic headings, and then I write answers to those questions. I spend a few minutes thinking about good questions. First a topic question, then a couple of questions asking for further information on the topic. I take time to make ensure my questions are in some logical order, and then I start to answer them. It is much easier to find the words to answer the questions, as they give form to thinking, rather than expecting some form of words to just to appear in my mind about a topic. Since I have been doing this I have found that as I am writing answers to the questions I mentally realise other questions that I just go ahead and answer. You have made a lot of good points in this video. Consider your initial writing a first draft. Don't edit it as you write, save that for later. When you have a pile of words on the page then. you have something to work with. It is very rare with any kind of art that a finished subject pours out on the first pass. Writing, painting, music, dancing, mountain climbing, it is all done in drafts. No-one climbs a mountain without a hell of a lot of practice.

@user-uu8fj8xc3x 14 күн бұрын

Thank U , I'll try the question method.

@poisonivy8862 Ай бұрын

I used to write 800 words a day longhand in 30 minutes doing my 3 pages of morning pages. A great tip to just start writing is to write free association until you get warmed up and get in the zone. Sometimes I just write gibberish for a while until I get bored and then settle in to writing "properly", then delete the gibberish writing at the beginning. It's amazing how much you can write when you just get your critical mind out of the way.

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Love that, and it's so true

@AndrewWilson-ol6jb Ай бұрын

Morning pages was a part of my practice for a long time. I really enjoyed it and might go back to it.

@popescutitus6225 Ай бұрын

Rule 7 is also true in drawing/painting. People who are just beginners at painting or drawing tend to over-focus on details and make every single thing look realistic that they forget about the big picture and the painting ends up looking incohesive, for example they start out by making an eye as realistic as possible but the portrait ends up looking bad because the other eye ends up being placed way too asymmetrical . It's much more recommended by master painters to start out by filling the canvas with huge blobs of color, representing the general elements of the composition and then slowly refine them out into what they were supposed to represent, start with the big-picture and slowly zoom in, don't start by drawing realistic eyes, start by drawing a head with two circles that are correctly positioned, only then you can worry about making them look realistic.

@eon9241 Ай бұрын

I like thinking about writing and painting (and designing architecture) as if you are a sculptor who is carving into a block. You start with a mass (the blank canvas) find the big forms and reveal the what you are trying to communicate iteratively, working on everything with a similar level of resolution and progressively detailing parts of it. The best part is that you can stop almost any time and it's finished. A portrait can be quick expressive "sketch" but will still look beautiful if the brush stroke shapes are masterfully placed, so is with writing and design. Or you can focus on the most important parts (in painting this could be eyes, or well-lit parts) without having to commit to pointlessly polishing every square inch.

@eon9241 Ай бұрын

In architecture it's the same btw (usually). At least I like to work this way. I start with massing a building to make sure it's responding to the wider context, is well placed on site, has good views, allows for good circulation of people, etc. After you figure out this 'big moves', which require good understanding of your site and a lot of research and consideration, the building just emerges. And it's pretty clear too what the building 'wants to be', as long as you remain truthful to what's important (ie what informed the 'big moves') and resist running after the shiny things. This part is hard, because it's easy to forget since projects take so long and involve a lot of decision-making. You can start doubting yourself and wanting to hide behind over-designing. I guess a clear briefing document helps.

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

I love that connection, and it's true. I'm no artist, so the rough sketches seemed crazy to me at first but it all makes sense now.

@warplans2 Ай бұрын

Your content is fresh breath of air.

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Thanks, I appreciate it

@PankajSamtani Ай бұрын

The lighting in this video looks so good! It makes me happy to see your videos getting better and better. Keep up the amazing work!

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Thanks! I did buy a fancy new light and I'm happy with it coziness.

@SKY-qf8qq Ай бұрын

I’m really enjoying your channel. Very motivating. I love books writing/ reading etc, so encouraging to listen to like minded people. Thank you

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Thanks, I'm grateful to hear it

@BookCravings Ай бұрын

I’m so happy I found this channel! It’s amazing!!!

@supposed2be Ай бұрын

Elements of Style 💯 love the setup. Feels homey yet relevant.

@derekbeau Ай бұрын

Thank you for adding real labels to the timestamps/sections on this video 🙏

@BekaAgonafr Ай бұрын

Your video on how to read a book really helped me. I applied your tips on how to get a better understanding and it dramatically changed the way I approach any book. THANK YOU. 🙏

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

That's amazing to hear, thank you

@luxid2060 Ай бұрын

Hey, I've recently discovered your KZfaq channel and I'm already inspired by your content. Keep up the good work!!! I'm looking forward to seeing more from you.

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Thank you, and welcome!

@srsampt Ай бұрын

I really enjoy your content!! Your goals align closely with mine so each of your videos feels very applicable to my life. Thanks for sharing your insights!

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Thanks that's amazing to hear

@lukedmoss Ай бұрын

Awesome! Great value as always.

@Eyegunproduction Ай бұрын

thank you, truly having other forms of writing help you to keep writing when you get stuck. i appreciate all your help.

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Much appreciated!

@gregorybown Ай бұрын

These are great points, and I think they translate well to other creative genres. Thank you for sharing these incites into your process. I am excited to try these.

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Thanks, and I'd love to see them in other areas!

@nachobemol_ Ай бұрын

Your videos always makes me go back on track! thanks from Chile🙂

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Thanks, that's amazing to hear

@TheMadmanFromMercury Ай бұрын

I’ve always aspired to be a great writer, but I never had the motivation. I always experience creative and personal burnout, until I watched your videos. Your videos helped me get over reading slumps and just creator’s block in general. Thank you Mr. Odysseas

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

That's wonderful to hear, and thanks too

@TheMadmanFromMercury Ай бұрын

@@odysseas__ Just know you’re awesome and keep doing what you’re doing 👊

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

@@TheMadmanFromMercury Thanks I appreciate it. Wish you well also

@JackerEMPilate Ай бұрын

I love writing but stumble while doing it

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

It's tough..

@merumitsu6901 Ай бұрын

Thank you so much for making this video 😭. I used to write 1000 words a day (that was my daily word count), but now I struggle to even put 500 words in. I try to not let things like exams and the future in general get to me but they still manage to somehow. This is just what I needed.

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Much appreciated, and even a few hundred words a day is fantastic when you consider how busy it can get

@rohanshiv Ай бұрын

Man, tbh I saw the whole video. absorbed only about 2-3% of the information. but your videos are fantastic to play in the BG.

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Thanks man

@FCrewM8 Ай бұрын

Yes. I always love your content.

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Thanks!

@notis00 Ай бұрын

Can't wait for new videos

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Cheers -new one today or tomorrow!

@thegrandbizzare Ай бұрын

Must be one of the best compilations of writing tips I've seen. Now I've just got to use them to get over my fear of writing that was instilled with last minute essay writing in Uni. 😂

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Cheers, and yeah uni writing leaves scars..

@atomiumjae Ай бұрын

Hey, i saw you subbed to my channel. Awesome content you post man. Glad i found you. One thing I'd like to ask. The audio from your video makes your voice sound like its actually in my room, mind if you reveal how you do that? (or is it just a mic thing)

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Thanks man, I like your videos too. I think it's a combination of using a dynamic mic (like mine, which is a Samson Q2U) and some audio presets in Premiere Pro, like in this video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nciDrcx01Kmbf4k.htmlsi=EihSV1FRule9WZ9B Dynamic mics have their pros and cons of course, but I like how they make your voice warm and 'close' sounding.

@gustavoteles5994 Ай бұрын

An alternative to tip 2 is a pocket notebook. It can be rather strange to take it out and scribble on it with your pen, but I find the process really enjoying. And even with obsidian on my pc, I always try to write on hand first because the limitations of paper educates the mind and the freedoom of screens helps to build bad writing habits in my opinion.

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Very true, it keeps the process thoughtful

@opx2100 Ай бұрын

Immaculate video!

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Cheers boss

@RSuave545 Ай бұрын

The slogan is "building mind, body, and soul...." your fantastic at what you cover. It would be nice to see your growth in a physical hobby.

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Thanks, and I've thought about it for the future.

@alemorreu 26 күн бұрын

How many walking breaks would recommend? Or how often? (Love the video ☺️)

@asikhasanasik524 Ай бұрын

It was helpful. Could you suggest any ways to improve academic writing, such as assignments and thesis? Thanks in advance.

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Thanks. I'm not the most qualified for that, but my best advice is clarity above all. No pointless jargon, no big words just to sound clever and no overly long sentences. The people marking will love you, and your points will be easier to spot overall.

@user-rh9zi3bj1n Ай бұрын

Can you recommend the software you were using to organise and keep track of all your content

@TheVerdantSorcerer Ай бұрын

I always find that i think better when walking or doing monotonous repetitive tasks. I always keep a notebook with me, open and ready to write for the repetitive tasks, but obviously thats not as easy when walking. Ive recently started walking with my phone in my hand, with the notes app up. When i start thinking of something worth keeping, i just tap the voice to text button and just think out load. To passers by, i just look like I'm talking on the phone. It's great because it means i never lose a great thought or idea. When i have a moment to sit down, I go through it and pick out the important parts and write them in my notebook. Sometimes it looks like word vomit, because im just rambling, and half the time my phone can't decipher my Bristolian accent, but with a little effort i can sift through it and extract what's meaningful.

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

That's a great tip, keeps the friction between each step as low as possible

@rohanbidi Ай бұрын

Though I don't aim to be a professional writer, there's still so much to take away from this video. The points about jotting down notes or ideas while commuting, going for a walk (or performing any light physical activity), spitting out the first draft, and quantity not being everything, when done repetitively over time will no doubt make me better at expressing myself through words. One weird aspect of my writing, surely I'm not alone with this, is that pain or grief tends to make it very easy to get the words flowing in that moment. If you ask me to write a poem on virtually any topic it will take me forever to get it done, but as an example, when Roger Federer retired I had a poem on him all set within 15-20 min, that too while doing the dishes! :)

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

It might be like a burst of motivation that makes a workout better, but on the other end of the energy spectrum, or whatever emotion really.

@silviafrassineti5214 Ай бұрын

Great videos. Thank you. My problem with bad first drafts is that I won't feel like to come back and edit them. I arready know what matters I just loose interest myself.

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Thanks, and I suppose that's fine if you're not planning on making them public, or if you're naturally good at the first draft step

@silviafrassineti5214 Ай бұрын

Unfortunately my first drafts are for nothing like first drafts tends to go. Even if I would like to publish something in this way it is impossible.

@Gigusx Ай бұрын

The Quick First Draft is IMO the #1. Nothing good really gets done without some iterative process (just think about design, engineering, art, etc.. Even the scientific method has iteration built into it), and the most popular working methodologies are heavily based on starting with an idea and improving it iteratively. I think most of us understand that pretty well, but for whatever reason in writing the same concept hasn't landed and we're afraid of getting started with just putting down some thoughts 🤔On top of that the momentum you get from this straight out eliminates procrastination, so it's not too bad to do this as the first thing you write for the day.

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Absolutely. It's also much less intimidating to say "I'll do a plan, then a brainstorm for each chapter, then a first draft" and so on... It breaks up the process from something daunting into little pieces of manageable work.

@cannedpineapple2702 Ай бұрын

I really love your channel bro, keep it up. I'd love to chat if you're ever in Miami.

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Thanks man, and I'll keep it in mind

@DrGBhas Ай бұрын

There is an interesting method ( or rather way of life) called "proprioceptive writing " : invented by the authors and former university English professors Linda Metcalf and Tobin Simon and published in their book " Writing the Mind Alive ". The book is full of insights for creative writing and listening to our inner voice . It is also a lot about really seeing the bigger picture of life and finding our own creative freedom : the inner citadel and a new relationship to our thoughts and emotions. I read this book, recently and found some awesome ideas in it , such as : Asking the proprioceptive question and ideas for reflection and self- knowledge which are useful for everyone .

@matheussterque Ай бұрын

Thank you for such good content. How about something more technical, like Grammar or something like English Composition (Rhetoric)?

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Cheers -I'd love to in the future, but I don't feel qualified to talk about it now

@malakmohamed5607 Ай бұрын

Hi, i have one questions about the zettlekasten system and the question is what is the difference between the tags section amd the status section in the note?

@wrecker699 Ай бұрын

can you make an video on how to add tasks for a day/week in google calender

@WillGraham-uv1ol Ай бұрын

What is the cool program u used where it lists ur long form videos and u can click the sub pages, it looks so clean 😮😮😮

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Notion

@gustavoteles5994 Ай бұрын

A bonus on tip 7... is having a journal or a diary where you write about something and you don't edit. Just write there and let it be. Maybe one day you'll be back and see something worthy of editing. But, this is exercise of writing with no judgment helps me start my day like a warm-up exercise. A warm-up exercise just prepares you for the "real" exercise and it's free of the perfomance that a "real" one requires.

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Love this -chances are, you WILL write something worth taking further just because you gave yourself the permission to explore it in the first place. It's a numbers game, almost

@mahammatbaba8666 Ай бұрын

What are your thoughts on using a typewriter to write instead of using your computer? Author Robert Caro still works on his 1974 Smith-Cornona electric typewriter.

@PunstricGenius Ай бұрын

First :) def my fav KZfaq

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Cheers!

@user-sb9ho5jz3e 2 күн бұрын

Praying. God bless.

@odysseas__ Күн бұрын

God bless you too

@anthonylopez1077 Ай бұрын

Im thinking of writing a book review, but I don't know how long it should be, What would you recommend?

@bretwalder Ай бұрын

Have you tried a physical index card Zettlekasten approach?

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Nope, and I travel a good bit so it's not the best idea for me

@KidFictionOfficial Ай бұрын

What are you using to track word count? Obsidian plugin?

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Nah I just manually type it -there's better ways I'm sure. Also the 'better word count' plugin helps you count precise sections

@ProdKodaa Ай бұрын

i havent watched the video but how do you find things to write about

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

I read what interests me, write notes on it all, try to live a semi-interesting life, then make space for ideas to come naturally. For here, I think about what would help my past self, and therefore others in a similar situation. Of course, it still has to interest me. I think once you start writing consistently, ideas just flow naturally from there.

@trungnguyenhoang1081 Ай бұрын

❤

@user-gk6wl9qe9o Ай бұрын

hello mate.. do u currently work or studying at uni?

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

Just finished uni (ecology)

@fabsanh Ай бұрын

Each time I see you have uploaded a new video and I start watching it I can't help but to feel a little guilty. I mean, since I'm "losing" time watching KZfaq videos, I'm not making progress in my own learning/writing. Is that something that happens to you too? Not with your own videos, obviously 😂

@odysseas__ Ай бұрын

I get that completely, if it gets out of hand, it becomes it's own form of procrastination or fake productivity. Still, learning and consuming content that helps is good for you so long as you balance it with action. I try and do both every day.