Free-Writing

15 Sultan 162 B.E. - February 1 - 2, 2006

NOTE: The following was an exercise in free-writing and was type into a word document in that way. I haven’t rewritten it yet, this is how it was originally written.

Free-Writing

I have discovered free-writing. Free-writing is simply sitting down at a computer or with a pen and journal and beginning to write. You don’t have to have a subject all you have to do is write. In free-writing you don’t have to worry about spelling (with a computer you don’t have to worry about spelling any way, because as long as you spell the word phonetically the computer‘s spell check will assist) you just write. In free-writing you don’t even have to begin with a subject, just start writing. Describe the day, the weather, the way you feel. In free-writing you don’t have to worry about grammar all you have to do is write. In free-writing you can begin with a prompt, or a scripture verse or a thought and then write. In free-writing you don’t have to worry about whether or not what you write makes sense, just write or type as fast as you can. Free-writing is the first draft of a longer piece. Free-writing is finding the part of the subject you want to discuss in an essay. Free-writing can be used to begin a story or a poem. Free-writing is just writing, rambling on and on across the page until you’ve filled the page or you’ve written the subject your working on out. Free-writing is a marvelous exercise, pick a subject and start writing. Free-writing can be timed or it can be done while you are waiting for someone.

There are some rules to free writing. For example when you start to write don’t go back and change what you’ve written. Remember this is a first draft, you are only trying to find a slant on the subject or write out a problem facing you. If you write fast enough and long enough you will find a solution. Free-writing is not procrastination, in fact it can help you over come procrastination by helping you focus on the subject, on the problem, on the situation. Time you free writing get a timer, an egg time and set it for ten, fifteen, twenty, thirty minutes or an hour and then begin to write. You will of course ramble, the mind moves at the speed of thought - that is faster than anyone can type. Remember with free-writing you don’t have to worry about spelling. Free writing is just writing see below for some interesting prompts to free write about.

In the beginning … (we all know where this came from) start each sentence with this phrase and set the timer for about ten or fifteen minutes.

The Origin of the species … (another interesting prompt) don’t worry if what you write has nothing to do with the theory of evolution or any other scientific theory. You are free-writing this has to do with what you think. If you opinion differs from what others think about The Origin of The Species that is alright.

How is that working for you? (thank you Dr. Phil) Start each paragraph with How is that working for you? Then answer the question by free-writing.

One Day My Soul Just Opened Up (thank you Iyanla Vanzant). You see you can use the title of a book or find a poem you like and use the title or a line from the poem to free write on (or is it about).

When you first start free writing start at ten minutes and then work up from there (unless you have more time). Free writing is an exercise to can squeeze into a busy day without much trouble. It doesn’t matter what room you are in or what you are doing when you are free-writing. If you use a pen and paper journal to free write you may want to retype what you’ve written before your hand writing gets cold. (I know when I free write in a pen and paper journal and I let it lay several days, sometimes I can’t read my own cold writing or figure out my creative spelling.) OK, free writing (like almost everything else in life) has its disadvantages.