Rule # 2 For Writing: Freedom Through Freewrites

I have 10 Rules for Writing. This is #2

For the month of May, I participate in a story a day challenge. I write 1 piece of flash fiction that has a beginning, middle, and end. It is important for the piece to be finished. Each time I do a challenge like this I add another layer of experimentation. I have used a visual each day, or an object, or a theme. This past May I chose to freewrite for 10 minutes first and then write my story.

My Freewrite rules based on Natalie Goldberg’s:

1. Keep your hand moving.
2. Handwrite with a nice pen.
3. Set the timer for 10 minutes.
4. Let go and write what comes. In other words, don’t try to control too much.
5. Remember the prompt doesn’t matter.

I found my stories to be much more concise with this exercise. I felt good because I was getting words on the page.

I have transcribed some of the stories into Google documents and then revise while I type. It makes the revision process a bit easier for me.

I know if I let my mind go and trust my intuition then the prompt doesn’t matter topic wise. It only matters to get my pen moving. Giving students a writing prompt just gets them to start the writing on the page and then it isn’t blank anymore. It is the push on the back of the bicycle when you are learning to ride. We all need a little help sometimes.