Writing is hard at the best of times. Sometimes the words don’t work the way you want them to, and the pain of writer’s block can be the most frustrating feeling ever! So when you’re in the daunting throngs of wanting to write and not being able to, it’s time for a new technique!
Freewriting: What is it?
Freewriting is a technique whereby a person writes continuously for some time. This time can be as short or as long as you deem helpful.
When using this method, those tend not to regard spelling, grammar, or topic. Instead, they write without thinking in a stream of consciousness.
Freewriting often produces raw, often unusable material. However, it helps writers overcome blocks of indifference and self-criticism to their work.
Why Should I Care?
The Writer’s Cookbook article has underlined various psychological benefits to freewriting! It’s not just great for your work, it seems, but also your mind!
While the technique is excellent for your creative practice, as highlighting any weaknesses in your prose betters you as a writer, the article goes on the state,
It’s relaxing
Some people compare free writing to meditating, and I can see this. You’re in a trance-like state where nothing matters but your writing.
You do it to get the story out of your system when you’re free writing. When counsellors and psychologists recommend it, it’s done to get rid of pent-up emotions (usually anger).
And learning to trust yourself through this practice is “incredibly freeing.”
Getting that first draft down is the hardest part of the writing process. You have a lot more to think about than when you’re proofreading. But when you sit down and free-write, you’re telling your subconscious that it has a good idea, and you’re happy for it to run with the said idea.
Not only all that but Kristina Adama, author of the article, further exemplifies the beneficiary nature of freewriting, explaining how
Through free writing—and the sense of self-trust that it creates—I’ve been able to write as many as 1,000 words in 15 minutes and up to 14,000 words in a day.
Benefits to Your Written Work
In addition, freewriting teaches students the advantages of unplanned speaking and how making a mess with their writing can lead to exemplary work.
It promotes activity, keeping the writer well versed and in control. And without any structure and no pressure on keeping grammatical mistakes at bay, it relieves the author of boredom in their work!
Further, it gives the brain space without judgement to mess up and unload any ideas, characters and plots sitting in the back of the mind just waiting to be allowed out!
David Hoss states in his article The Benefits of Freewriting,
As authors, above all else, we need freedom. Freedom to write as we please. Sometimes, we need space from ourselves. Freewriting allows us to gain that. It will enable us to detach from our worries and mistakes, from our problems and concerns. All that is left are the words, with all their imperfections.
