How to Free Write

Free writing is serendipitous: It can help you to discover new ideas, liberate inner thoughts and tensions, and improve your other writing skills.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Alarm Clocks
• Typewriters
• Desk Chairs
• Desk Lamps
• Women's Watches
• Pencils
• Notebook Papers
• Pens
• Computers
• Laptop Computer

1. Find a quiet place where you will not be interrupted or distracted. Your mind needs to be completely unhindered for this exercise. Try to forget about anything that may preoccupy your thoughts.

2. Set an alarm clock or wristwatch for a set period of time, usually about 10 minutes. Put the clock or watch where you cannot see it so that you won't be checking the time every few minutes.

3. Begin writing. Write whatever comes into your mind, no matter how nonsensical or random. Don't worry about grammar, spelling or punctuation. Let the words flow freely, and skip from subject to subject at will.

4. Write nonstop until the alarm sounds, even if you must write "My mind is blank my mind is blank" until something new emerges. Try to get in touch with your inner thoughts and feelings and let them direct your writing.

5. Stop writing when the alarm sounds.

6. Read over what you have written. Look for ideas or concepts that have emerged and that might be helpful to you in gaining personal insight, in finding direction in your writing or in pointing you to a special project.

7. Try to schedule time for free writing every day, if possible. It will develop your right brain over time and train you to think more clearly.

Tips & Warnings

• Free writing is useful for personal problem-solving or for when you need to come up with ideas for specific school assignments or business.

• Use the writing tool that is most comfortable for you - pen, pencil, PC or laptop.

• Even if you do not "use" your free writing for giving you direction, it is a great tool for warming up before something that will intellectually challenge you - such as an exam.

• Do not judge or censor what you are writing; there is no benchmark for success or failure. The purpose of free writing is to lose your inhibitions and not let blank paper intimidate you.