How the Email Spammers Helped Me Write More

I wrote a post yesterday about how one of my website email accounts had been hijacked because one of my hosting companies, NetRegistry, allowed 12 of their servers to be hacked, and so much spam email was sent through them, they have now been blacklisted.

So with my main computer, my Mac Book Pro, still at the Apple store to be checked for malware (just in case) I'm still only able to use my writing computer (my Mac Book Air) which I normally only use for writing. Naturally, it is possible to connect it to the internet, but I usually don't unless I need to do some immediate research, but I usually limit this computer to offline writing projects only.

Separating my computers this way makes me much more productive because my writing computer has none of my software on it, and because I don't allow myself to get online with it either, it forces me to focus only on my writing which makes me super productive.

And because it's the only computer I have right now, I can't even check my emails, update my websites, read online articles that I've saved to read later, check my RSS feeds, or use any of the software apps I have installed.

As you can imagine this has resulted in upping my productivity because I'm left with nothing to do but get on with my writing or do online research that I've been meaning to do but keep putting off. And, of course, I've been writing and publishing blog posts too.

When I get my other computer back I'm going to have to make sure I log out of Google (and Blogger) on this one, so that it goes back to being just my writing computer again.

I also sit at a big table to write on this computer whereas I sit at my desk to use my main computer, so I've been spending much more time at my writing table too (which is also my sewing table).

Isn't it funny how we do these little things (like sitting in specific places) without even thinking about it?

And even funnier is that while I'm writing blog posts on my writing computer, I still sit at my desk to do it, but then I move to the big table to write offline. I didn't even realise I did it till I started writing this blog post today, and when I thought about it, I did the same thing yesterday. I sat at my desk to write a blog post then moved the computer to the table to work on my book. It's a quirk I didn't know I had.

So without noticing, getting off my main computer for a day (and now 2 days) and working offline has made me much more productive because I can't do my usual email checking or any website work or use any of my software so all I can do is write.

And you know what? It's not a bad thing at all.

I even sat for a while yesterday afternoon making more plans for my new website which I'll tell you more about tomorrow.

So even though yesterday I thought this whole email hacking thing was terrible (I was doomed. Doomed!) it turned out to be a useful exercise in upping my productivity.

And now back to writing...

But first I'll have to move back to my writing table. (Grin)


Find Books to help you write more too.
https://ruthiswriting.com/make-money.html

New Website Software Woes

I know I complained in my last post about my computer updating and causing me to not be able to use my website-building software anymore, but now I've subscribed to Adobe Creative Cloud, which includes my beloved Dreamweaver. But now it's so advanced I don't know how to use it.

So I spent several hours on the weekend working my way through Adobe online tutorials and making copious notes about how to use this newly upgraded software, and that was after it took a few hours to download all of the 22  huge apps that come with the license I purchased.

But at least I was finally able to add an article to my site, and it's one that I wrote a few weeks ago but was unable to upload... until now.

 I Know The Secret To Writing Productivity
https://ruthiswriting.com/articles/2019/writing-productivity.html

But it still took me almost an hour to do it because the software is so new to me. I feel like a novice all over again.

These days most people like to use simple ways to create websites like using the online WordPress software. But I like to have more control over my sites so that I can change and update them whenever and however I want to.

I'm also in the process of starting a new website for writers and using my current RuthIsWriting site for something else. The plans are still only on paper at the moment but this is a space worth watching.  Make sure you follow this blog so that you'll know when the new one launches.

And I'm also currently working on my next book which is one of many I have planned to write.

The problem is that I have so many ideas yet not enough time to implement them all. But I'm trying to be better organised.

At the moment I feel hampered by the weather too because here in Queensland, Australia, it's almost summer (1st December) and it's really getting extremely hot now and we've also had quite a few thunderstorms but very little rain, so we are also in a drought (since July) and there is talk of water restrictions being introduced soon.

We also have quite a number of bushfires burning in our state (16 at last count) and there is a lot of smoke haze around. Last week we were on a watch-and-wait list to see if one of the fires was going to get too close and we'd all have to evacuate, but it didn't come to that.

But with computer updates, new software to learn to use, hot weather, bushfires, storms, etc, I feel like something is trying to stop me move forward with what I want to do.

But I won't be beaten and it only makes me want to work harder, which, because I love to write, isn't such a bad thing.

Especially when I have a growing list of so many writing ideas that I want to work on.


Goodbye Writer's Block:
How to Be a Creative Genius and Have an Abundance of Ideas
Plus the Inspiration and Motivation to Write
https://ruthiswriting.com/books/WB.html

Is This Stopping You From Writing?

I was reading a really interesting book the other day. I’ve actually read it several times before because it fascinates me (and it’s only a short book that’s quick and easy to read).

And it struck me that what I was reading about was actually something that can stop people from writing. And I used to be one of those people. It can be a real time-waster without you even realising you’re doing it.

And what I’m talking about is being needy. It’s something that most of us do automatically and it’s a complete waste of time.

What do I mean by being needy?

It means spending time explaining things to people when you really don’t have to.

Being needy is when you feel that you owe someone a long explanation. And it doesn’t matter who it is. If you feel like you have to explain yourself, then you’re being needy. You don’t owe anyone an explanation about anything.

So if you find yourself giving a long, detailed explanation to someone, stop doing it. That’s being needy.

And it doesn’t matter if you want them to do something for you or they want you to do something for them. Trying to explain yourself at length is being needy. It’s being needy of them liking you.

Even if someone is demanding that you explain yourself and say why you can’t help them or worse, if you’re trying to do them a favour and feel that you need to give a detailed reason as to why they should LET you help them, STOP!

You’re wasting your time by being needy.

It would be far better to talk less, ask for nothing, offer less, and say less to everyone.

And then you’d have more time to devote to your writing.




Persuasion Secrets of the World's Most Charismatic & Influential Villains
A short but extremely insightful little book that helps you to do more and to care less.
This little book can be read in less than an hour, but you’ll want to read it again and again.
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One Reason Why I'm Reluctant To Write

Usually I love to write and I can’t stop. And I love it when I feel like that.

But there are other times when I lack motivation so much that I find it hard to even sit down and start writing.

Usually my reluctance to write is because I’m not enjoying what I’m working on which may or may not be something I’m writing. It could also be editing, proofing, uploading, website work or even research.

So what do I do when I find it hard-going?

There are three things I do:

First I look at what is holding me back and why I’m so reluctant to get on with what I’m supposed to be doing. I even journal about it if it helps.

Second, I devise a list of tasks I need to do to get the job finished.

Thirdly, I work my way through the list one step at a time till I’m finished.

I find it also helps if I use a timer to see how much I can get done in a 25 to 30 minute window because I’m more focused when I know I have limited time.

And once I’m finished I feel so much better which makes it easy to get back to working on what I enjoy.

And it all starts with finding out why I’m procrastinating, and journals are great for getting my thoughts together and figuring out what I want to do and how to do it.


Panda Planners

What Do You Mean You Don’t Have Time?

“I don’t have time to write!”

I-Yi-Yi. How many times have I heard that?

Listen… there’s no such thing as not having enough time. It’s all a matter of priorities.

Agatha Christie wrote 66 novels during her lifetime, and she didn’t even have a computer. And Isaac Asimov, Dan Kennedy, and Gene Schwartz likewise wrote more than most people would think humanly possible.

What they had were clear goals and no excuses. They had zero resistance to writing and didn’t let anything stop them. They refused to allow anyone or anything to hold them back.

But it doesn’t have to be that hard for you.

I can show you an almost done-for-you product to help you launch your own online writing business and all you need is your laptop computer, an internet connection (sometimes) and to click the link below.

https://ruthiswriting.com/books/LLS.html

The Simple ‘Trick’ That’s Get’s You Writing Even When You Don’t Feel Like It

The other day, I sat down at my desk to write and the next thing I knew over half an hour had passed and I hadn’t even started writing and instead, I was checking email and reading a few online articles and blog posts that were in my RSS reader.

When I suddenly realised how much time I’d wasted I instantly closed my email and my browser, got out my writing computer (My Mac Book Air) and got to work.

And this is the simple “trick” that can get you writing every day, even when you don’t feel like it.

What is this “trick” you ask?

Did you miss it?

What I did was, I simply started working, and usually that’s all it takes.

The easiest way to earn more money writing is to simply show up and do the work every day. Even if you’re not the world’s greatest writer, you can earn more money from your writing than most other people if you outwork them.

Even if you only end up working for 30 minutes a day it’s better than not showing up at all.

I only set out to work for 2 to 3 hours a day, but I usually end up doing more or going back later to finish.

A person who hardly ever writes yet is good at what they do, will never earn as much money as a mediocre writer who writes every day.

It’s possible to outwork everyone else just by showing up daily.

And I’ll let you in on a secret; even the best and most successful writers, often find it hard to start. But what makes them the best and most successful, is they don’t let that stop them.

So if you haven’t started showing up and writing every day, you can start now.


7 Day eBook Writing and Publishing System
Want to be a published author by this time next week?
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Should You Or Could You Be a Writer?

We’ve all heard of the expression “Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda.” It’s what we say to people who have lame excuses for not doing something.

And this is also appropriate for you if you’re not writing.

Shoulda - This is when you’ve wasted time when you shoulda been writing. It can be when you let yourself get distracted by other things instead of getting your writing done. Or when you wasted time by prioritising other things/people.

Coulda - You coulda got your writing done but you didn’t think you were good enough or motivated enough or dedicated enough. Sound familiar?

Woulda - Well, you woulda done your writing if only other things hadn’t happened or something else hadn’t come up, or if you had the time, or if you weren’t so busy…

All these things are weak excuses. They’re not reasons why you aren’t writing every day, they’re just a bunch of Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda.

What it all comes down to is whether or not you really want to be a writer.

And if you do, then the time to start writing is now.

Dream Life Mastery
How to Achieve Exceptional Wealth
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3 Steps to Living Your Dream Life as a Writer

It’s so easy to dream about becoming a successful writer. You imagine yourself gliding into your home office, dashing off another bestseller, and still have time to go out for dinner in the evening.

Wouldn’t it be great if it really happened that way?

The reality, of course, is really different and there are so many things that can stop your writing dream coming true and here are just 3 of them.

1. Time To Write. No matter what you do, you never seem to be able to find the time to actually sit down and write. You may even begin every day with good intentions, yet time eludes you and before you know it, the day’s over and you haven’t written a thing.

2. Others Not Supportive. If there’s one thing that I learned early on, it’s that others won’t support you when you want to be a writer. And the closer you are to them the more resentful they seem. My family and friends are the worst and none of them will even discuss my writing, even though I’ve been earning my income from writing for years.

3. Guilt. It’s all too easy to feel guilty about wanting to write because you always feel that you should be doing other things. It’s probably because writing seems selfish because it’s something that you need to do alone, without anyone even speaking to you. And it doesn’t help when others are unsupportive because it can make you feel like you have to write in secret.

  But you really shouldn’t let any of these things stop you because we all have time to write if we prioritise it instead of trying to fit it into our spare time.

We can also ignore everyone who doesn’t support what we want to do. In fact, I’d even go as far as saying to spend less time with them and more time writing.

And stop feeling guilty about writing because it IS important to you. Knitters don’t feel guilty about knitting, gardeners don’t feel guilty about spending time gardening, and artists don’t feel guilty about wanting to paint or draw. So why should you feel guilty about wanting to write?

The time to turn your life around and live your dream life of being a writer is now.

https://ruthiswriting.com/articles/2019/dream-life.html

An Expert's Advice on How To Beat Writers' Block Instantly

I was recently listening to an interview with one of the Titans of Copywriting, Gary Bencivenga. And in case you've been living in a cave and have never heard of him, he is known as the best copywriter in the world and began working in direct response copywriting in the 1960s. Sadly, he no longer works in the industry, but he and inspired taught thousands of marketers during his long career.

Anyway, in this interview he was talking about what to do when you don't have any ideas about what to write. He said that copywriters often have this problem because their work begins with getting ideas of what to write about before they can promote a product.

Anyway, what he said was that whenever you don't know what to write or are stuck with writers' block, all you need to do is start researching and that is guaranteed to get you started. He said that research is the answer to writers' block as well as helping find all the information he ever needed.

But then I got to thinking about where to start researching?

Well, the obvious choice is to do a general search on the topic that you want to write about. Just go to one of the search engines and type in a question or a keyword and see what comes up in the results. Sometimes, the search engines prompt for subjects that are already searched for often.

Another way to do it is to go to an online book store (or magazine site) and look to see what other writers are writing about on your topic. You can easily browse the TOC (Table of Contents) of a book to see the subjects of the chapters they are including in their writing.

And then there are also forums and social media which often show up what is trending or what is popular. They can also show you exactly what questions people are asking about right now.

So if you're feeling stuck and don't know what to write, start doing a bit of online research and before you know it, you'll have so much information and you'll feel motivated to write.

Goodbye Writers' Block
How to Be a Creative Genius and 
Have an Abundance of Ideas 
Plus the Inspiration and Motivation to Write
https://ruthiswriting.com/books/WB.html 

Quit Procrastinating

Anything is achievable if you want to do it.

So if you're not achieving all the things you want in life, then you have to ask yourself if you're a procrastinator.

Procrastination is a bad habit that you probably don't realise that you're doing until it starts to negatively impact your life.

So if you are always putting off achieving your life goals then you must quit procrastinating.

Don't lie to yourself and say that you can't quit, because you can. Anyone can.

How?

Start by knowing what you're procrastinating about and what your avoidance thoughts and behaviours are.

Don't just think about them. Write them down, that way you'll be admitting them to yourself. 

Ask yourself why you're avoiding doing what you know you should be doing. Asking this one question alone can give you so much clarity about your problem.

And once you know what the problem is, you can start to solve it.

So if you're not doing the writing you know you should be doing, or not doing the writing you want to do, why not?

Is procrastination a bigger problem than you want to admit to yourself?

Procrastination Pro

The 21 Day System to Stop Procrastinating

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The Easy Way to End Procrastination For Good

Now I know that I've been talking about procrastination a lot lately, but that's because it's such a debilitating problem for writers.

And it's not just our writing life that can suffer from it, it can also seep into the rest of our life as well.

And it's really nothing more than a bad habit just the same as smoking or drinking or gambling.

But it can also have some debilitating knock-on effects such as damaging your potential, your career, and your mood.

Once it takes control, it's not easy to change, but it can be done.

If you want to end procrastination for good then you have to really want to stop. Not just say you want to, or wish something can make you change, but you have to have the will to help yourself.

And to begin with, you need to understand the difference between a goal and a dream.

You can work towards a goal, but your dreams are something you just sit and think about all day.

And the only way to reach a goal is with action. Action is what turns dreams into goals because it isn't a goal until you start moving towards it. Without action, it's just a dream.

So begin moving towards your goal and ending procrastination by knowing exactly what you need to do, and in what order, to reach your goal. Then begin.

Now, this isn't as easy as I'm making it sound, but it's not hard either, not if it's what you really want.

Procrastination is mostly a state of mind.

So change it.


Procrastination Pro
The 21 Day System to Stop Procrastinating
https://bit.ly/2USJTsJ

The One Basic Secret to Eliminating Procrastination

The thing about procrastination is, it’s sneaky. It doesn’t happen all at once. It happens over time so you don’t see it happening until it’s too late and by then you’re always putting things off and never finishing what you start.

It’s something that a lot of writers suffer with and not only does it make them feel bad, but it drastically reduces their writing income.

But what is procrastination? Is it just laziness?

No. It’s a habit.  A really bad habit that can invade every area of your life.

You can overcome it, but it’s not easy because it takes time.

If you suffer from procrastination you can start to eliminate it right now by knowing what your excuses are fro procrastinating and what your avoidance behaviours are.

That way, as soon as you realise that you’re doing one of your avoidance behaviours or telling yourself your usual excuses for not doing something, you can notice it straight away and nip it in the bud.

Of course, there’s a LOT more to eliminating procrastination for good, but doing this one small thing is a great start.

But just keep in mind that it’s a bad habit that took a long time to start, so it will take time to stop.

Procrastination ProThe 21 Day System to Stop Procrastinatinghttps://bit.ly/2USJTsJ

Is It Procrastination Or Laziness?

It’s easy to think that there is no such thing as procrastination and that anyone who procrastinates is just lazy.

But is it true?

We all suffer from bouts of laziness, but procrastination is much more than that because it can stop you achieving anything you want in life.

And it’s not just writers who suffer from procrastination. See my article about it at https://ruthiswriting.com/articles/2019/overcome-procrastination.html.

Procrastination starts out as laziness but then, over time, it evolves into a negative state of mind that leaves you with a constant feeling of dissatisfaction with life and work as it seeps into every area of your life.

So it’s not just an untidy sock drawer issue.

Thankfully, it can be overcome but it takes time as well as a 360-degree mind turn.

And here are 3 simple yet highly effective things you can do to help end procrastination for good:

1. Know what you want to achieve. You can’t reach your goals if you don’t know what they are.

2. Stop feeling defeated before you start. Begin everything you do (and I mean absolutely everything) with a winning feeling.

3. Know what your procrastination actions are so that you can recognise them and stop them.

Once you’re fully aware of your procrastination thoughts and habits, you can change them if you really want to and have the determination to do so.

Procrastination Pro

The 21 Day System to Stop Procrastinating

https://bit.ly/2USJTsJ

The Difference Between Time Management and Procrastination

Procrastination can be difficult to overcome if you don’t understand what it is.

Many people incorrectly think that procrastination is just a matter of bad time management. So they think that if they can master their time, it will eliminate procrastination.

Wrong.

If you try to get rid of procrastination through to-do lists, setting reminders and working out new schedules, it won’t help, because you still won’t feel like doing what you should be doing and you’ll keep looking for distractions.

Procrastination isn’t just about time management, it’s a state of mind. And it goes even deeper than that because it took a long time to evolve so there won’t be a quick fix.

Not only that, but procrastination is unforgiving and can take a huge toll on your life and can cause anxiety, depression or even just a deep feeling of feeling overwhelmed from never getting anything done.

The good news is that you can take back control of your life by conquering procrastination instead of always letting it conquer you.

And to help you, I wrote about this problem in my latest article, 6 Simple Steps to Overcoming Procrastination, which you can find at https://ruthiswriting.com/articles/2019/overcome-procrastination.html.

As they say at Nike, Just Do It.

Super Productivity for Entrepreneurs

On my blog, I've added a new advertisement for a free product.

It's a report called 'Super Productivity Secrets For Entrepreneurs.'

This is an amazing report (and did I mention it's free?) that shows you how to free up an extra 4 hours a day by being MORE productive.

Most people believe that if you want to have more time then you have to do less so that you can have more free time.

But the opposite is actually true. If you are more productive, then you can do more AND free up more time - up to 4 hours a day.

And it's not just about being more productive in your work. It's about a more holistic approach to being super productive in every area of your life.

I'm going to tell you a secret. Every really successful person you will ever meet has mastered the art of productivity.

Being super productive not only means you can free up more time for the things you want to do, but it also gives you a feeling of satisfaction and balance.

I know myself that on days when I flit around from one thing to another without doing much of anything, I feel so dissatisfied by the end of the day and I don't sleep well.

So if you've ever wanted to be more disciplined and productive, to achieve more in your personal life, your financial life, and your career, then this report will help - if you follow the advice in it and start taking action immediately.

And that starts by downloading your own copy of 'Super Productivity Secrets For Entrepreneurs.'

It's the first step to taking charge of your life and getting back in control.

Diet, Concentration, and Writing

Our mind needs to be calm to write better and write more. We all know this.

But did you know that it’s not just a calm mind that’s necessary for focus, productivity and writing more?

For instance, it’s also important to get plenty of exercise for mind as well as body. And it’s just as important to make sure we get plenty of rest when we need it too, to make sure we’re always at our optimum peak.

We need to take care of our body because we can’t write if we’re unwell or fatigued.

That’s why being a (successful) writer isn’t just about writing. It’s about biology, psychology and mindset.

And, surprisingly, diet influences all parts of our life, including our creativity.

A quick Google search will show you just how important what we eat is, not just for our brain, but for every area of our life.

You can read more about it in my latest article, How to Change Your Brain So You Can Write More.

——————


Change How You Feel In Just 30 Minutes or Less. 
Focus, Sleep and Relaxation.
Download a Free Demo Now.
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Why I'm a Writing Genius

As I've been telling you recently, I had a bad year for three deaths in the family and my writing not only took a back seat, but most of the time it got thrown out of the car.

But not only have I brought my writing game back to life, I've improved it and found an extra benefit too, because not only am I writing more, but I'm more productive in everything I do the rest of the day as well.

And it makes me feel like a genius now that I can write so much.

But I do get a lot of help from my little friend known as brain salon.

Change How You Feel In Just 30 Minutes or Less. 
Focus, Sleep and Relaxation.
Download a Free Demo Now.
https://ruthiswriting.com/links/brainsalondemo.html

The Biggest Mistake Writers Make That Holds Them Back

There are so many writers that never write a damn thing.

So are they really writers?

They want to write yet never seem to do any. Or sometimes very little.

So one day I polled my subscribers about this and do you know what I found out?

I discovered that many of them didn’t want to write at all.

They wanted to work from home as a writer, but not do any writing.

They wanted to earn money from writing, and they call themselves writers, but they seemed to be looking for a way to get-rich-quick.

This is a huge mistake because writing = work.

I know that when you’re looking in from the outside, it seems like writers make money from doing nothing, but it is work.

At the same time, it’s better than having a J.O.B.

I much prefer to write from home.

Which would you rather do?

I can make writing really easy for you if you download my 7 Day Ebook Writing and Publishing System.

But I can’t do it for you.

http://ruthiswriting.com/books/7day.html

Stop Waiting and Start Writing

Many people I’ve met who call themselves writers never actually write a thing.

They’re all talk, and they have a multitude of reasons for not writing, and none of them are true.

Many say that their writing is still in the ‘planning stage’ whatever THAT means.

But it does remind me of an episode from the British sitcom, Red Dwarf (which is hilarious).

The comedy is set on an interplanetary mining ship that is lost in deep space.

One of the crew, Arnold Rimmer, wants to take the officers exam so that he can be promoted.

But he’s so nervous about it that he spends all his time planning how he’s going to have enough time to study for it.

In the end, he takes so long to plan out his study time, that he ends up with no time to study and fails the exam.

And this can be a problem for many writers who are busy ‘planning’ their writing without ever writing anything.

So what can you do if you find yourself procrastinating all the time instead of writing?

Simply this: -

Don’t get it right, get it written.

This means just do it, because writing badly is better than not writing at all.

In fact, I feel so strongly about this, that I’ve changed the subheading on my writing site (https://ruthiswriting.com) to “Don’t Get It Right, Get It Written” because that’s what you need to be doing every day.

And if you’re stuck for a way to find so many writing ideas that you’ll be suffering from ‘Idea Overload,’ read my latest article, Never Look An Off-Line Gift Horse In The Mouth at https://ruthiswriting.com/articles/2018/offline-gifthorse.html

Have I Misled You About Writing Quickly?

As you know I talk a lot about writing quickly and how much it can help you.

I've even written ebooks about it like my 7 day ebook writing and publishing system and how to write articles in 15 minutes or less.

But what I mean by writing quickly isn't just about writing fast.

Writing quickly doesn't mean always rushing. It means being focused.

Writing and earning money is all about practice, which leads to proficiency, and the ability to write fast comes naturally from that.

But it all originates from focus and constant effort, not rushing.

I always remember watching my mother vacuuming the house. She would always press as hard as she could and move the vacuum cleaner backwards and forwards really fast, going over the same bit of carpet again and again, which always left her sweating and out of breath.

When I vacuum the house, I don't press on the vacuum cleaner at all and I move it over the floors, rugs and carpets slow and steady to give the machine time to do its job and to make sure I see every bit of dirt.

And the end result is that the vacuuming is done faster and better because I'm focused on doing it properly and the vacuum isn't pressed into the floor which gives it the opportunity to work properly.

And it's the same with writing quickly which is also about focus and the ability to keep working without letting anything distract you.

So you don't have to go hard and fast at writing, just stay focused on your writing and it will get done not only faster (because you're not getting distracted and drifting off onto other things) and better (because you're paying more attention to what you're doing).

And eventually, as you practice writing with more focus, you'll get faster naturally.

So if you want to write faster, don't think about rushing, think about being more focused on your writing.

That's what my products are for. Not only do they give you the complete process of how to work, but they give you a tight writing frame (one week for a book or 15 minutes for an article), which forces you to focus because you don't have time to do anything else.

And when you repeat writing this way, practice really does make you faster and better.

Try it and see for yourself.