My wife had to interview writers for her college communications class. This was my reply:

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1. How long does it take you to complete a 2-3 page essay?

Without research and just ideas from my head—around 30-60 minutes. With research—sometimes several hours.

2. When do you usually begin writing the paper?

I begin as soon as I have developed a compelling headline to write against. Similar to the above, it depends on the research required, if any. But on average no more than a few hours and as little as 30 minutes if everything is already in my brain just waiting to spill out.

3. What do you do to prep or pre-write?

Write headlines and try to prioritize the top 3-5 points I want the piece to convey.

4. What do you do to review or revise your paper?

I rewrite sentences until the rhythm, phonetics, and information in them satisfies me as the first reader. I basically write the article I would want to read, and if I like how it reads, I know I’ve done my job as a writer.

5. What are some of your favorite writing tips?

Write with the reader in mind—what you want them to think, feel, and consider by the final sentence. And write like you speak. Formal and wordy writing is not enjoyable to read, and if your writing is dense, laborious, and requires too much effort, your reader will abandon your work, and you’ll miss the chance to influence, entertain, or enlighten them.

PS—This short manual can turn anyone into an effective writer.