How I Use Hemingway to Edit Blog Posts in 10 Minutes
As a dad, most of my writing happens before sunrise or after bedtime.
That means editing has to be quick, clean, and effective.
I don’t have time to spend hours tweaking every sentence.
But I still want my posts to feel sharp and readable.
That’s why I use Hemingway Editor as my go-to editing tool.
Here’s how I use it to clean up each blog post in 10 minutes or less.
So I can stay consistent without sacrificing clarity.
Why Hemingway?
Hemingway Editor is designed to make your writing bold and clear.
It highlights:
- Sentences that are hard to read
- Passive voice
- Overuse of adverbs
- Simpler alternatives to complex words
- General clutter and filler
It’s not a grammar checker, it’s a clarity assistant.
Which is exactly what I need when I’ve got 2 kids doing crafts in the kitchen and a post that needs to go live in 30 minutes.
My 10-Minute Blog Post Editing Flow
✅ Step 1: Draft Outside of Hemingway
I write all my posts in Notion or Google Docs first.
This keeps me focused on flow, not formatting.
Once the rough draft is done, I copy the entire post and drop it into Hemingway Editor.
✅ Step 2: Look for Red and Yellow
Hemingway highlights issues using color coding:
- Yellow = hard to read
- Red = very hard to read
- Blue = adverbs
- Green = passive voice
I focus on yellow and red first.
If a sentence is too long or clunky, I split it or cut it down.
Shorter is almost always better.
✅ Step 3: Use “The Rule of 3”
I ask myself:
- Can I shorten it?
- Can I simplify the language?
- Can I cut it completely?
This alone removes 80% of the fluff in my first draft.
✅ Step 4: Fix Adverbs and Passive Voice
I’m not strict here.
If an adverb makes the sentence feel right, I keep it.
Same with passive voice, it’s fine if used intentionally.
Hemingway gives me the signal. I make the call.
✅ Step 5: One Last Read-Through in Preview Mode
Before publishing, I read it as if I’m a new reader:
- Does it move fast?
- Does every line have a purpose?
- Can I understand it without re-reading?
If the answer’s yes, I schedule it.
Done.
Dad-Friendly, No-Fluff Editing
This whole process takes 10 minutes or less once you get used to it.
It’s the final polish I use to make sure my writing actually lands, without overthinking or over-editing.
And best of all?
Hemingway Editor is free to use in your browser.
Or you can grab the paid desktop version, totally worth it if you’re writing regularly.
Want the Full Writing System I Use?
I put together a PDF called The Writing Dad System
It includes my full writing routine, tool stack, and blog structure that helps me publish 5–10 posts a week without burning out.
Write in the cracks.
Edit with clarity.
Repeat.
You’re not behind.
You’re being built.
-Kayin
