Image: Laura Werner |
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Don't be afraid to write away from the beaten track and forge your own trails in new territory!
Freewriting is a rewarding writing practice for many writers (essential for some of us), and a Write 'em Cowgirl is always ready to take a free write on the wild side. I consider it one of the most valuable concepts in my writers' bag of tools and tricks. Freewriting is just what it sounds like, writing freely. The process is the focus rather than the content. Usually some sort of prompt is used as a jumping off point for the process, though you can also freewrite about a work in progress or something on your mind that might be easier to work out on paper. Set a minimum time for the write, because it takes most minds a little while to warm up and get flowing. Try to give a simple prompt at least ten minutes, and complex prompts can go far longer.
Always remember that in freewriting the prompt is NEVER a rigid topic. A freewriting prompt is a springboard that can send you soaring off in unexpected and often rewarding directions. If the prompt "sharp" sends you furiously scribbling about your Aunt Agatha or an outfit you saw in a shop window, that's great. That's an important part of the process. A lot of wonderful ideas and snippets come from metaphorical or associative leaps from freewriting prompts. You're not getting "off the topic," you're doing just fine. There are no wrong ways to freewrite, and it should send you soaring off in unexpected directions sometimes.
Once you have your prompt, start writing. Don't take time to think or worry or for anything more than a deep breath or two (unless it is an image prompt… it takes longer to take in all the details of an image than it does to incorporate an written or spoken word or phrase, so do take time to really look at an image prompt). Just start with the first thought that comes into your mind (even if that is 'ummm… lessee… what am I going to do with that?' which is how quite a few of my freewrites start, but I usually break through quickly) and keep going. The point of freewriting is to free your mind and pen. Do not worry one bit about details like spelling, punctuation, correct grammar or whether what you are writing is fact or fiction, prose or poem, dream or memory. It doesn't matter. The process is what's important. Let go of expectations and preconceptions and trust the process. Sometimes we need to get some junk out of the way so things will clarify for us while other times are ripe for something brilliant to pour right out, but both (or points between) are equally valuable parts of the process.
Let go of concern over form and substance. Free your writing to swirl off in unexpected directions and find its own form.
Many aspects of writing require considerable discipline and a critical mindset, but when you freewrite you can just let go of that and pour your words out on the paper like maple syrup or splash them like paint on a bold brush. Some freewrites are mundane while some of them will sparkle with brilliance. They are equally valuable. You can sift through your scribbles for the diamonds later, but while the timer is running, just cut loose, hang onto your galloping pen, and enjoy the ride.
One of the best books to get you started with freewriting, especially if you are new to the concept, is Writing Down the Bones, by Natalie Goldberg, who I think of as the mother of modern freewriting (my vote for father is probably Jack Kerouac). If I could only own three books on writing (heaven forbid!), Writing Down the Bones would be one of them. It may not appeal to everyone, but I give it my highest recommendation. I'll recommend two more great books a little farther down.
Many people prefer to freewrite with pen and paper (Natalie Goldberg has made it a goal for years to fill a notebook a month), though some like the keyboard better and that's fine (as long as the key noise doesn't bother others if you are writing in a group setting). I will sometimes freewrite on keyboard about something like a point in a story where I'm stuck and want to rattle out various ideas, but for general freewriting I prefer a pen. Natalie Goldberg advises searching for pens that are extra-smooth, so the pen drag doesn't slow you down. That is good advice. Gel pens are smooth, but in my experience they often become unusable before the gel ink is really gone. My current absolute favorite freewrite pens are the Papermate Profile line. They have very smooth ink and smooth tips, too. They also come in cool colors (in addition to the usual black and blue), which is good for people like me who enjoy using color for mood, inspiration, or sorting purposes. Most people do better if they don't use fancy journals for freewriting, because it may not seem special enough to put in a fancy book. If you find yourself hesitating over what to write in a freewrite because you don't want to mess up that pretty paper in that lovely book, go out and buy some cheap spiral notebooks or get some free paper!
A diversified freewriting group can help members burst out in unexpected and colorful directions.
Solo freewriting is of great benefit, but group freewriting practice that includes sharing out loud can be particularly beneficial. Taking a prompt and seeing where, say, six different Write 'em Cowgirls go with it is incredibly expanding to creativity and imagination. Even a relatively simple word like "cookie" can have surprisingly divergent results in a group freewrite. My freewriting group is one of the brightest spots in my life, and I have really come to love and appreciate every one of the women and girls who come to write with me when they can.
Group freewriting:
- Increases self-confidence
- Helps build a strong, authentic voice.
- Increases creativity
- Develops trust in your intuitive self, your writing, and the other writers in your group.
- Honors your muse and commitment
- Produces fresh material and ideas
- Deepens your writing
- Provides inspiration
- Encourages spontaneity
- Can send your writing in exciting new directions
- Is fun!
Posting notices in bookstores, university writing departments (get permission if required), coffee shops where writers hang out, etc, is a good way to find writers in your area who may be interested in a group. Forward Motion
has an online forum to help writers connect for groups and events. Look under your state and if there isn't already a contact or group, put up a post and see if someone responds. For women in some areas, the International Women's Writing Guild may be able to help you connect with other members to form a group. The value to be gained is well worth taking some trouble to set it up if you think a freewriting group is just what your writing needs.
Meeting time, place, and other logistics are important to work out, but it is also important to work out how your group will operate. Will you have a leader or coordinator to keep things running smoothly and on track or will that position rotate or will it be more of a free-for-all (which could result in more talk and less writing)? How will you come up with your prompts (in my group everyone contributes to collections we keep in envelopes in an accordion file)? Will you read around the table in order or in a more spontaneous order (which usually works well for my group)? Who will keep track of the prompts collection and make sure there is a timer at meetings?
Most importantly, while the writing should be as wild and free as possible, what level of response you want for your group parameter is a crucial issue to the success of your freewriting group. Most freewriters agree that a freewrite is too fresh and raw—too newborn—to critique. That's not what they are for. If you take an idea from a freewrite and develop and expand and polish it, then you can critique that, but not the original, raw, straight from your gut and heart and top of your head freewrite.
Some groups prefer no response at all or at most a nod or murmur to show that they have listened. Others prefer to allow brief positive, non-critical comments. That works well for my group. Things like "it left me wondering what's next" or "I could really see that scene you painted in the bedroom" or "that might have possibilities for insert-market-here if you developed it." There is no right or wrong way to handle this, as long as your group agrees on the parameters.
Young members can bring enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to a writing group.
Also, while a freewrite should be as free as possible, if you want to open your group to minors it is probably best to set some kind of parameter on language. My group, which has included some wonderful junior high writers, whose fresh viewpoints and enthusiasm have contributed a great deal to the group, has an agreement to keep it in PG-13 bounds. It's not a problem for us—that's not a direction any of us are pushing in—but if it is a problem for you, then it's probably best to limit your group to adults.
Two excellent resource books on solo and group freewriting are:
Both of those books helped me and my group know what issues we needed to address at the outset and gave us lots of ideas for starting our prompt collections, as well as giving encouraging glimpses of the many benefits of starting and participating in a freewriting group.
To help you in starting your own freewriting group and keeping it on track, download my free Benefits and Guidelines handout in printable PDF format.
For basic freewriting prompt ideas to help you get started, go to Freewriting Prompts. For even more ideas, check out the Creativity Corral.
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