Is there a faster way to write in Chinese?

Hello, I am painfully slow when it comes to completing my writing homework assignments.  As I am still a beginner, I first have to write or type my thoughts out in pinyin, then I go back and type up the assignment again using characters (I use Microsoft's program).  So I think it's taking me twice as long as it should.  One day it took me 3 hours to complete my Thanksgiving presentation and it was only about 5-6 paragraphs long!  Does anyone have any tips out there?  Xie xie.