Speed writing is a technique that is sure to raise controversy whenever you present it to a group of writers.
To some writers it's the best thing since sliced bread.
To others it's a cat wrapped in a canvas sack and hawked by cheats and liars.
But the truth is somewhere in between.
The problem is when you try to use it where it doesn't belong.
Speed writing is a trick that grew out of a particular type of writing.
As a result, it took on certain characteristics that limit its use.
When you try to use it outside of that world it begins to fail and it should be avoided.
Speed writing is meant to write simple pieces.
It's not meant for writing complex pieces.
So if you write books and eBooks then it just won't do the job.
Even white papers are beyond its preferred environment.
That type of writing involves many different ideas which need to be organized.
And speed writing just isn't meant to help you organize your ideas.
Your mind can only sequence seven plus or minus two things at a time.
More than that and it needs to present them in a linked fashion.
Unfortunately, that translates to a semi-random order out here in the real world.
This also means that speed writing doesn't work well where you need to have a specific set of points in a specific order.
How to or why to books for example, are extended arguments which must be built up in order to convince the reader.
Points of the argument need to be made at specific points in the argument.
Otherwise the whole argument may fall apart.
In any case it is difficult to convince the reader if you're logic is out of order.
Of course, this type of writing occurs most often in long pieces.
Which is fortunate in a way because speed writing doesn't do long pieces well.
It is focused on short bursts of high intensity writing followed by a period of relaxation and recovery.
However, writing a long piece such as book or white paper requires an extended period of writing.
An experienced typist can maintain a speed of 70 words per minute.
But even at 70 words per minute, a standard 200 page book will take 12 hours of constant typing to retype.
And that doesn't include thinking, editing or biological breaks let alone the coffee to power those hours.
There are always situations where a tool is of use.
It wouldn't exist otherwise.
However if you are writing how to books, speed writing really isn't well suited to the task.
It should be left in your tool kit for other types of writing.