He is writing fiction, though. Writing fiction isn't nearly the same as research-based non-fiction. I think I work well with non-fiction, but my fiction writing is embarrassing. My English professor pointed that out to me, as well.
Stephen King - not necessarily a great writer, as far as the art and form of fiction is concerned, but he just writes what people like. That's what has made him successful. He also gets paid millions for a single book. I wouldn't exactly be worried about needing more clients and writing tons every day to pay the bills if I were making several hundred dollars a word.
The biggest project I took on for a client was 2500 words. One of my first writing projects, and it sure taught me a lot. Never take 2500 words on a subject you absolutely despise. Never the less, a promise is a promise and I did what I had to. The client was happy with what I did.
A fast writer doesn't mean horrible quality at all. There are lots that work fast and give you shit, but there are writers that know what good writing is, know how to do real research and where to get sources from, and know how to compile that research along with what they already know, and know how to do it efficiently/quickly. I'd like to think of myself as one of them, as I have never had a client say "This is shit." Clients generally love getting their articles several days ahead of schedule anyways. It gives a sense of reliability and trust on that writer.
So don't think of speed as a bad thing. The writer just may know what they are doing/writing about already.
