Natalia Lopez

What matters more in writing—speed or truth? A lot of people say you can’t have both, but I don’t
agree. I think it is possible, and even necessary, to be both first and accurate. Readers want
information quickly, but they also want to trust what they’re reading. If we only focus on being first,
we risk spreading mistakes. If we only focus on accuracy, we risk being too late. The real challenge is
learning how to do both.
Mark Twain once said,
“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” I see that every day in how fast news and posts spread online. False information moves fast, but that doesn’t mean truth can’t move just as quickly. Writers and publishers just need the right habits and systems—fact-checking, trusted sources, and the discipline to slow down for one second before hitting publish. That one second can make all the difference.
For me, accuracy always comes first. If people can’t trust your words, it doesn’t matter how fast you
are. But I also know speed matters, and the best writers figure out how to balance both. It takes
practice, preparation, and respect for the audience. Readers don’t just want information—they want
reliable information, and they want it now.
In the end, being first is exciting, but being accurate is what builds credibility. If I have to choose, I’ll
always choose accuracy. But I also believe we don’t really have to choose—we can strive for both.
When speed works with accuracy, publishing does exactly what it’s meant to do: share truth that
people can trust.