Try Freewriting

Photo by twenty_question in Flickr

This past summer I taught a creative writing class to students who ranged between 3rd and 12th grade. While some of the exercises differed, there was one that I shared with all groups. It is free writing.

Free writing has no rules. You sit down with a paper and pen, or a computer and you just start writing.

There is no planning. You don’t come up with ideas and then write.

Just as an artist might start brushing some strokes on a piece of paper or canvas, so you do with the written word. And you see what comes of it.

This is something I encourage every writer to do. There are several reasons. One is that it could spark ideas. If your creativity has felt stumped, this could be just what you need to get it flowing again.

Another reason is that it could bring healing. There may be something deep inside that hasn’t been touched and needs to be. What you pull out could end up being life changing.

Have you done free writing and experienced a breakthrough in some area of your life? Or did it help you come up with a storyline? Would love to hear from others.

© 2012, Stephanie Romero

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