Writer’s block. We all get it sometimes. We all hate it. But if you know how to freewrite, you have everything you need to get yourself unstuck.
What is freewriting?
Freewriting (or free writing) is a simple but powerful writing method that helps you get out of your own way and tap into your creativity. You might also hear it called “automatic writing.”
English professor Peter Elbow developed freewriting in the early 1970s, and since then, creative writing gurus like Julia Cameron (The Artist’s Way) and Natalie Goldberg (Writing Down the Bones) have championed it as a way for writers to nudge our rational, prone-to-overthinking minds aside and cut loose.
In short, freewriting is a technique to help you tune out the internal censor every person has and get into a state of creative flow.
How to freewrite: The do’s and don’ts
OK, let me clear this up first — there’s no single perfect way to freewrite. Ultimately, you should do whatever works best to tune out the noise and free up your wild mind. That’s a fairly individual process, but if you’re new to it, here are some pointers.
What to do:
- Do write longhand. I know, I know — you can type much faster. And anyway, your handwriting is crap. (Mine, too.) But writing by hand can free your creativity in a way that typing can’t.
- Do use a timer. There are benefits to writing under pressure. When you know you have just 10 minutes to say what you need to say, you’ll write faster and you’re more likely to ignore that pesky editor demon who sits on every writer’s shoulder.
- Do start with a prompt. (Or don’t.) Prompts can help you engage when the timer starts, but they’re not essential. If you need a creative nudge, by all means, use a prompt. If you already have something in mind, a prompt is unnecessary.
- Use ambient sound if it helps. Sometimes white noise or even the sound of a busy café can help me focus and tune out the garbage that would otherwise disrupt my creative flow. (Spoiler: see the video below!)
What not to do:
- Don’t stop. Once you start writing, don’t stop for anything but your timer. Don’t pause to think. Keep your hand moving at all times. If you can’t think of what to write next, just write, “Thinking … thinking … thinking …” until your next thought magically appears.
- Don’t edit. You’ll make spelling mistakes. You’ll forget everything you know about punctuation. You’ll say things that are a jumbled mess. But this is your creative mess, and you’ve given yourself permission to make it. (Pro tip: You don’t even need permission. Creative messes are everything!)
- Don’t censor anything. I mean it — do. not. censor. yourself. Thoughts will come up that might feel painful or wrong or even shameful. Friends, that’s where the creative gold is! I promise nothing will unravel completely if you tug on that thread. Tell yourself that you never have to share your freewriting. Burn it after you write it if you must. But get all those painful, scary, humiliating thoughts onto the page if they show up.
A note about timers
Although I recommend timed writing exercises, I’m going to let you in on a secret — you can keep writing after the timer stops. Definitely do try to get everything in during your allotted time, but if you find yourself in a state of creative flow when time’s up, keep flowing! Stop only when you’re good and ready.
Freewriting video? Yes, please!
I’m such a fan of freewriting that I decided to create a video to help writers get into the practice. You’re welcome!
The video contains:
- A reminder of how to freewrite
- Several prompts to get you started (or create your own!)
- A timer complete with an ambient audio track
I’ve set this one to ambient coffeehouse sounds. It’s a 10-minute freewrite — great for first-timers and seasoned freewriters alike! In the future, I’ll use different soundscapes and themed prompts. (Do you have a cool idea? Send it my way!)
If you give my freewriting video a try, I’d love to hear about how it worked for you. Please leave a comment or suggestion on YouTube. And, of course, subscribe if you want more exercises to try.
