The quickest method in this course is the free-write method. This method focuses more on unblocking the mind than it does creating a new idea, so if other methods aren't working, this may be the new direction to take
Lesson Four: Free-Write
Sometimes, our subconscious minds are so junked up that they
cannot spit up new ideas. They’re there,
somewhere impossible to reach. The problem is reaching them. We want to write,
but it almost hurts to find that place we used to go. The solution is easy. All
you need is a paper and pen (or a word processor) and twenty minutes of time that
will not be interrupted.
Sit yourself
comfortably and open your medium. No one may interrupt you. Your thoughts must
be free to flow. If this requires incense, soft music, or white noise, go for
it. Just make sure they’re continuous so you don’t have to stop mid-session
to skip a song or light a new stick.
Begin writing
a thought that crosses your mind, even if it’s “this is never going to
work. Ugh!” Do not censor anything. Do not erase. Do not worry about grammar
or spelling. Do not use proper punctuation. Get every thought on paper. Each
sentence might take you to ten more. Keep writing. If your hand begins to hurt
too much to write, use the other one.
After
twenty minutes have passed, you should feel a little cleaned out in a way.
You might feel mentally drained. You might want to curl up and sleep. You
might just want to sit and drool. The important thing is that your
thoughts have been vomited onto this paper or computer screen and shouldn’t
impede your creativity.
Rest.
Walk the dog, eat a piece of fruit, take a nap, or just enjoy drooling all
over yourself. You deserve it.
Try to
write. Thoughts and ideas should come much easier now. If not, you may
need to start another session or try another method.
I feel as though I'm suffering with severe writers' block right now... only because I have a lot of unfinished stories in a folder on my laptop. However, I'm not satisfied... I keep wanting a fresh, new idea... something that will not stop me writing. I've been passionate about writing since my early teens but I feel like there's something missing. Thank you for this.
When your most stressed or when something pivotal has happened it can be hard to remember or compose ideas, free writing can get these ideas out to be built upon when things have calmed down and the processing can start up again.
LOL! this would have been handy a week ago when I was suffering writers block, love how you say "or just enjoy drooling all over yourself. You deserve it" gave a little bit of humor to what could possibly have been an otherwise boring lesson, nice job though, this method truly does work
I just tried it! It is draining but it really did help to get everything out on paper. It's also a great way to train your thoughts to stay in pace with writing them down! I wrote a few motivational things for myself as well as a few potential ideas for stories! Though I must admit, I did have a few "ugh! how many more minutes" comments haha. Thanks so much for posting thing!
This really works. It helps to get everything running through your mind down on paper. Once you see it, it's easier to put it together, or start a completely new idea now that your head has some free space.
this sounds like such a good idea i have so many thoughts pent up inside im never quite sure where to go next with my stories hopefully doing this will help me get me thoughts organised so i can sort out how to actually reach the end of one of my books before i die! lol thanks jules x
Writing is my air, my bread, my daily bed. If I do not write, I will wither.
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