definition-of-free-write

Free writing is a fast-paced training of writing skills in the form of warming-up activity that helps you overcome the hurdles slowing down the process of moving forward. They may include:

  • self-judgment;
  • attempt to be a perfectionist;
  • overthinking & second-guessing;
  • tendency to procrastinate.

The point of free writing is to put down the ideas roaming in your head on paper. In this case, the process of writing is more important than its gist. Don't know how to start the ball rolling? Here's what you need to do.

  1. Set a timer for up to 10 minutes;

  2. Just write.

Your main task is to keep the pen in action until the time runs out. Don't pay attention to such trifles as spelling, grammar mistakes, or cross-outs. Your primary concern is to keep writing. You may write whenever you want, but the first part of the day is considered more favorable for brain activity. As long as you produce at least some morning scribbles, you're on the right track.

Also, don't focus on cohesion and consistency. Reflect every thought or image that springs up in your head on paper. Do you feel overwhelmed while practicing free writing? Why not write about that? The bottom line is to put down your reflections on paper. No one will check your work. So, don't be afraid to get carried away. Who knows, maybe, there will be some valuable ideas that you can later elaborate on.

Benefits of Freewriting

  • It helps loosen up

Free writing releases tension and pent-up emotions. It even reminds meditation as you forget about the rest of the world and lose yourself in writing. According to psychologists and counselors, such exercise may help you unleash your hidden writing potential and get rid of negative emotions that prevent you from pouring out ideas on paper. If experts recommend it, then that's what you should opt for.

  • It helps exploit your creative thinking to the fullest

During free writing, try to block the desire to edit a mistake you managed to spot. Many free writers don't bother to fix grammatical slip-ups. Instead, they proceed with writing in order not to interrupt the process of reflecting their ideas on paper. If you notice a mistake, just highlight it and go ahead. You'll have to edit and proofread your writing later on anyway. So, why ruin all the fun now? Your mistakes can wait.

  • Freewriting is an exercise in which you train your creative muscles

You're definitely born to be a writer. Your writing skills speak volume. However, it is highly important to exercise your creativity as this ability may fade with time. The writing practice on a regular basis stimulates and flexes your creative muscles. We all know that practice makes perfect. Those who want to excel at a particular activity should follow this golden rule. This principle reminds exercising in the gym. The longer you practice, the slimmer and fitter you become. Your writing muscles have to be developed in the same way.

  • You learn to cultivate self-trust

Being engrossed in writing flow, you're developing trust in yourself. Learning to do this is very fulfilling and empowering as you discover unknown sides of your personality. However, as discussed earlier, it requires time and practice.

I know how hard it is to produce that first draft. You have more details to keep in mind than when you're proofreading. By trying to create flow in writing, you should bond with your subconscious and learn to rely on it, believing that it has some good ideas stored somewhere deep down. Trusting yourself will help you eventually become more successful in other spheres of your life.

  • It makes writing less time-consuming

Free writing helps you develop a knack for good or bad ideas for a particular assignment/topic. When practicing this warm-up exercise, you deal with valuable and not that appropriate framework for your paper. Realizing that a certain thought is not suitable in the given situation, you save yourself some time as you haven't begun to elaborate on it yet.

Remember, free writing is a powerful tool that works not only for those who want to try their writer skills out but also for those who want to explore their personality and unleash a stream of creativity.