The Basics of Freeform Writing

Previously, I discussed the importance of writing prompts and mentioned a writing technique called Freeform Writing as another important writing tool. So, I thought I would delve deeper into what freeform Writing is.

What is Freeform Writing or Freewriting? Basically, it is writing without direction or purpose. The idea is to take the blank page before you and simply jot down any-and-all thoughts that enter your mind, without editing, pausing, or organizing them in any manner. This process empties all of the clutter that is making up the creative dam that triggers writer's block, opening the creative channels to flow freely and productively once more.

It is through Freeform Writing that I have developed some of my favorite characters and descriptive scenes. My first novel started without a single idea when I sat down to begin the NANOWRIMO competition and ended up leading to a 50,000+ word novel within 28 days.

Often underrated in comparison to outlining, Freeform Writing is a powerful method of generating ideas that might not be relevant to the current work being attended to, but it keeps you writing and adds to your writing reservoir of ideas, characters, and settings for future work in the meantime. It allows you to set ideas and concepts aside for future use in other areas of a story or document, so that you can come back later and use them to fill in details and provide a completed thought. It frees the subconscious from straining to remember these vital thoughts and details for later use, so that you can focus fully on formatting. content. and the structure of the section or topic at hand.

Freeform Writing can be done from anywhere at anytime allowing for flexibility and inspiration to strike when least expected. It opens the creative pathways to flow freely and without hindrance. It is where that pile of Post-it notes, napkin scribbles, and scraps of ideas jotted down on whatever envelope, paper sack, or scratch paper that is handy stems from.

How to Freeform Write? There is no exact guideline or instruction manual when it comes to how to Freeform Write. That is the genius of the Freeform Writing technique. There are, however, some things that you can do to use the Freeform Writing technique more effectively and efficiently. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Keep a blank journal or notepad and a pen or pencil handy with you wherever you are. Having access to writing materials when an idea strikes is important to the creative process. Keeping your thoughts in a journal prevents you from forgetting ideas and losing those makeshift scraps of paper with your ideas, allowing you access to these thoughts when you need them.

• Don't outline when Freeform Writing. Simply type or write each thought in paragraph form with no formal structure. This keeps each thought straightforward and allows you to move on to the next thought without getting lost in the mechanics of formatting.

• Avoid editing or proofreading until you are completely done with the Freeform Writing session. Editing and proofreading stalls the thought process and causes you to lose your momentum.

From Freeform Writing comes clarity and frequently provides a compass for the direction of the story or document that often can't be achieved through the outlining methodology. It is less structured, allowing ideas to flow more naturally rather than in a linear format. It jumps around and provides details that can be missed using a structured creative format. It's the springboard to a more complete image before the image has fully developed. Through Freeform Writing, chapters are fleshed out, outlines are developed, and complete, professionally written manuscripts are created.

Freeform Writing is an integral part of the writing process, whether you're writing fiction or non-fiction, and should be added to your writing arsenal of tools, methods, and brainstorming techniques. It is simple to do and a viable resource for all of your creative endeavors, no matter how big or how small. So the next time you're stuck with writer's block or staring at a blank page, just start typing or writing whatever comes to mind. It may seem like rambling, but in the end, you'll have a page full of ideas, and writer's block will be a thing of the past.