Theme: Quotes from Authors and Bookish People about Writing
April is well on it’s way, and I’m beginning to feel a little crazy already– my head buzzing with all the posts I’ve read so far. Great job, AZers!
Today, we talk about Freewriting:
“Free writing is a prewriting technique in
which a person writes continuously for a set period of time without regard to
spelling, grammar, or topic. It produces raw, often unusable material, but
helps writers overcome blocks of apathy and self-criticism. It is used mainly
by prose writers and writing teachers. Some writers use the technique to collect
initial thoughts and ideas on a topic, often as a preliminary to formal
writing. Free writing is not the same as automatic writing.
Unlike brainstorming where ideas are simply
listed, in freewriting one writes sentences to form a paragraph about whatever
comes to mind.” ~Wikipedia
Here are the writing quotes for today:
“Don’t over edit. Don’t second-guess yourself, or your ideas. Just
write. Write every day, and keep at it. It’s all
about persistence and passion. And have fun with it. Don’t forget to
have fun.”
―
Heather Grace Stewart
“In quickness is truth. The more swiftly you write, the more honest you
are. In hesitation is thought. In delay comes the effort for a style,
instead of leaping upon truth which is the only style worth deadfalling
or tiger-trapping.”
―
Ray Bradbury
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Have you every done Freewriting? When did you first use it ? Has it helped you?
I freewrite when I need to. when I'm sat there with not knowing what I'm doing or when I've not written for a while and I need to get my fingers tap tapping again. Mostly I think my novels are written in a sort of freewriting with topic.. The initial rough edits of typos come at the end of the day.
Freewriting is an interesting technique. If I begin freewriting, within a few minutes I usually have located a topic and launched into it, despite beginning without that intention. Sort of an inverse reaction. 🙂 THanks for the reminder!
I've tried it but I'm not that good at it. It's probably a control thing with me. I think I'll give it another try until I can be free in free writing. LOL
Freewriting is my favorite method to get myself writing again when I feel stuck. I call it random writing. I almost always do it in a composition book with a Bic ballpoint pen. Something about handwriting it seems less like work and more connected somehow. It's hard to explain. Everyone should try this at least twice.
In quickness there is truth. I believe that. I call it a brain dump. Get ALL the information out of my brain. Edit later. Thanks for the great post!
I didn't have a name for what I do, namely writing long-hand in a spiral notebook then transposing on a keyboard. Good to know I'm not the only one, LOL
I have done this, but only a few times, and only back in high school and maybe a few years after graduation! I think it's a great idea.
Free writing sounds kind of hard, actually. Just to keep writing without stopping. Might be fun to try – for those times when I just keep getting lost in my head it would force me out and into the actual writing. I'm not sure I totally agree with the second quote, but I understand the message :).
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings – AtoZ (Vampires)
FB3X – AtoZ (Erotic Drabbles)
I stumbled across free writing on Write Tribe's prompts and ended up writing a whole post on mosquitoes and how they were bugging me right then hahahaha!
I'm not sure I completely with Ray's quote. You can lie quickly too. I free write best with fan fiction funny enough. I have a big collection of notebooks filled with fan fiction. My w.i.p.s. are numerous but no contest.
I should probably try more free writing, but I have a difficult time not editing as I go. Some of my blog posts come close to free writing.
Lee
A Faraway View
An A to Z Co-host blog
I'm a huge proponent of free writing – I do it all. The. Time. Sometimes it produces crap, and sometimes it's golden, but either way, it gets me where I need to go.
Not sure I could give up the spelling, but I do enjoy writing continuously from time to time, to see what ends up on the page.
MJ, A to Z Challenge Co-Host
Writing Tips
Effectively Human
Lots of Crochet Stitches
Free writing is my favorite way to defeat the blank page and the plague of procrastination. Just putting fingers on the keyboard and getting on with it. As a teacher I used it to show reluctant writers how much they could write in just a few minutes…and how easy it is when you don't continually second guess yourself.
I like the quote about fast writing being more truthful. No sensorship.
Play off the Page
I'm definitely a free writer.
I agree with that. I've looked at a lot of my "pre-edited" work and it was actually better than the "edited" ones.
I enjoy free writing. It's a great way to get my thoughts onto the page. I suspect a lot more of my subconscious ideas come out when I am not censoring myself or worrying about style. Then I can tidy it up afterwards.
~Tizzy @ Creative Therapy
Persistence and passion – my new mantra.
This sounds like a really great technique to let oneself just go!
Freewriting is what I do most of the time. It allows me the opportunity to let my thoughts and personality show in my content, and not emulate another person's writing style.
I admit I don't freewrite, as the typos and grammar mistakes would drive me crazy.
Sandra
Indie Writers Monthly–www.indiewritersmonthly.blogspot.com
Writing on writing! I've just found my dream blog! Thank you.
I've never tried free writing – this sounds like a useful technique – I'll have to give it a go – thanks for the info.
Sophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles – A to Z Ghosts
Fantasy Boys XXX – A to Z Drabblerotic
I love to free write. It makes me feel as if there's nothing holding me back, no distance between my brain and paper.
But Ray, I can only write so fast!!
Yeah..Now I realize that I even use freewriting while writing poems 🙂
Rather then finding rhyming words; I would pen my thoughts first and later on make it sound like a poem 🙂
Yes, I use freewriting from time to time. It's amazing what my brain comes up with when the subconscious comes out to play! :O)
LuAnn Braley
AJ's Hooligans @AtoZChallenge
Back Porchervations
Yay, I found your comment box…thank-you! Freewriting is a great way to as you say, collect your thoughts and ideas before they fly away from your mind. I freewrite in my head and in my dreams and often get right on the PC to post it for posterity or a post. BTW…your colored pencils are a reminder to 'Freewrite' in COLOR.
Sue at CollectInTexas Gal