Free writing is a powerful tool for writers, and its origins can be traced back to the early 20th century. The concept of free writing was first introduced by the writer and teacher Peter Elbow, who believed that the traditional writing process was too restrictive and that it stifled creativity. Elbow’s approach to writing was to simply put pen to paper and write whatever comes to mind without worrying about grammar, punctuation, or even coherence.
The idea behind free writing is to let your thoughts flow freely without any constraints. The idea is simply to write for a set amount of time, something like ten to twenty minutes. Don’t stop for anything. The idea is to put something down on the page no matter what. It’s a way to get your ideas out of your head and onto the page, without worrying about whether they’re good or bad. By allowing yourself to write without judgment, you can tap into your subconscious and access a deeper level of creativity.
Free writing can be used for a variety of purposes, including generating new ideas, exploring different perspectives, and overcoming writer’s block. One of the most popular ways to use free writing is to set a timer for a certain period of time, usually between 10 and 20 minutes, and then write as fast as you can without stopping. The idea is to keep the pen moving, even if you don’t know what to write, the goal is to keep going, not to worry about the quality of the content.
One way to improve your writing is to start a free writing diary or journal. Get into the habit of writing in it for 10 minutes every day. Simply write down whatever is on your mind, don’t think about it and, whatever you do, don’t stop to edit your writing!
Another way to use free writing is to use prompts, which can help you focus on a specific topic or idea. Prompts can be anything from a word or phrase to a question or a image. They can be found online or created by yourself, the goal is to use them as a starting point to explore different angles and to find inspiration. At the end of this post there are two images you might like to use as free writing prompts.
Free writing can also be used as a way to explore different characters or perspectives. By writing from the perspective of a different character or point of view, you can gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and motivations, which can help you create more authentic and relatable characters.
Free writing is a powerful tool that can help writers unlock their creativity, overcome writer’s block, and gain new insights into their work. By allowing yourself to write without judgment, you can tap into a deeper level of creativity and discover new ideas and perspectives. Give it a try and see how it can help you in your writing journey.
Mike Jackson 
Reblogged this on All About Writing and more.
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