7 Writing Shortcuts I've Learned After Publishing 1,000+ Articles

Writing this from a surprisingly sunny Vancouver morning, where I just hit a milestone that honestly shocks me: 1,000+ published articles.

Here's the thing - I'm not a writer.

Never have been.

I'm just someone who figured out how to hack the process because I had to. These are the unconventional shortcuts that have helped this non-writer consistently publish content that actually works, without losing my mind in the process...

The Reverse Outline Method

Want to know the secret of someone who isn't a "natural" writer? Write first, structure later. Just brain-dump everything you know about the topic. Then create your outline by pulling out the key points from your messy draft. This approach keeps your authentic voice while giving your piece proper structure. Plus, you'll never face the paralysis of a blank page again.

Here’s how:

• Open two documents: one for your brain dump, one for your outline

• Write everything you know about the topic without structure (15-minute limit)

• Scan your brain dump and highlight key arguments/insights

• Create an outline from these highlights in a logical order

• Restructure your original content to match this outline

• Fill in any gaps that become obvious from the outline

I’ve been doing a lot of this in Claude these days tbh. Just take a screenshot of the brain dump and ask it to order things for me.

The "Dead Sentence" Technique

As a non-writer, I often write sentences that are too complex because I'm trying too hard. My solution? Kill any sentence that requires a second reading to understand. But here's the twist: don't delete them – move them to a "dead sentence" file. These complex sentences often contain my best ideas, just poorly expressed. At the end of my writing session, I revisit this file and resurrect these ideas in simpler forms.

Action Steps:

• Create a "Dead Sentences" document/section before starting

• Read each sentence aloud as you write

• If you stumble while reading, cut and paste it into your dead sentences file

• Continue writing without getting stuck on perfecting each sentence

• Review your dead sentences file after finishing your first draft

• Rewrite each dead sentence in the simplest possible terms

• Paste the simplified versions back into your main document

The Voice Note Outline

When tackling complex topics, record yourself explaining it to a friend on a voice note. Don't script it – just talk naturally. Then transcribe and clean up that explanation. The beauty of this method is that it captures your natural speaking rhythm, personality, and the logical flow your brain naturally creates. What takes hours to write often takes minutes to explain verbally. Plus, you'll automatically simplify complex ideas because we tend to use clearer language when speaking than when writing.

How I do it.

• Open your phone's voice recorder

• Pretend you're explaining the topic to a friend over coffee

• Record your explanation in one go (5 minutes max)

• Transcribe it (use any AI transcription tool). I love Riversides.

• Clean up the transcript while preserving your natural voice

• Use this as your article's foundation

• Keep any analogies or examples you used naturally while speaking (this is the most important part)

I’ve been doing this, but on video. Same process. And then using Riverside’s magic clip to make shorts. So easy.

The "Instant Hook" Formula

Your first two paragraphs are usually just you warming up. Start your piece at the third paragraph. Delete those first two. Then, create a new first line that bridges the gap. This creates an instant hook that pulls readers in, and you'll never waste time agonizing over the perfect opening again.

• Write your first draft without worrying about the perfect opening

• Highlight your first two paragraphs

• Delete them (save them in a separate document if you're nervous)

• Identify where your content starts getting interesting

• Move that section to the top

• Write one new opening line that provides necessary context

• Test your new opening by asking if it would make you want to read more

The "Parallel Universe" Draft

As someone who struggled with finding their writing voice, this trick changed everything. Write three different versions of your first paragraph, each from a completely different angle: expert, beginner, and skeptic. Use the one that feels most challenging to write – it's usually the most interesting for readers because it pushes you out of your comfort zone.

The how

• Write Version 1: The Expert (focus on advanced insights)

• Write Version 2: The Beginner (focus on fundamental questions)

• Write Version 3: The Skeptic (focus on common objections)

• Identify which version was hardest to write

• Use that version as your starting point

• Incorporate key elements from the other versions as supporting points

• Keep the challenging perspective throughout your piece

Easily done with the favourite flavour of AI. Write one and ask for the others. Gives you a great place to start.

The Sticky Note System

For those of us who tend to ramble (🙋‍♂️), this is a lifesaver.
Put three sticky notes on your screen: "Problem," "Promise," and "Proof."
Every few paragraphs, glance at them. Are you still addressing the reader's problem? Making a clear promise? Providing proof? This simple visual reminder keeps you focused.

Do you really need a how for this one???

The AI-First Draft Shortcut

Obviously I’m bias as all hell for this one. I use Penfriend.ai for my first drafts. After years of writing content, I built this tool to generate the best possible first drafts that actually sound human. It's like having a writing partner who knows exactly how to start your pieces, removing the intimidation of the blank page while maintaining your authentic voice. And with echo’s in there, it’s cloning my writing style so much I may have just outsourced myself…

Action Steps:

• Sign up for Penfriend.ai

• Input your keyword

• Generate your first draft

• Review and identify areas for personal insights

• Add your unique experiences and perspectives

• Enhance with specific examples from your expertise

• Polish the final piece while maintaining your voice

Bonus. The Caffeine Timer

This one's for my fellow over-thinkers. Write your first draft when your coffee (or tea) is too hot to drink. By the time it's cool enough, you should have your basic ideas down. It's the perfect natural timer for a first draft – about 7-10 minutes. This prevents perfectionism from creeping in during the crucial brain-dump phase.

• Make your hot beverage of choice. I’ll take a double Sabrina Carpenter if you’re making.

• Start writing immediately while it's too hot to drink

• Write continuously until your drink reaches drinking temperature

• Don't edit during this time

• Focus on getting ideas down, not perfection

• When you take your first sip, wrap up your thoughts

• Use this draft as your foundation for editing

This is my I’m not a writer survival kit. And it’s only gotten easier with AI. It’s help me publish over 1,000 articles while maintaining their sanity and consistently delivering quality content. If I can do it, you absolutely can too.

Now, if you'll excuse me, my coffee's finally cool enough to drink...

☕Tim