Get words on paper faster in the second step of the writing process
There comes a point in any writing project when you need to follow Ernest Hemingway’s first rule for writers: Apply the seat of your pants to the seat of a chair.
That is, you have to write. That’s the second step of the writing process: freewriting.
Only forget that kind of writing where you:
- Hunt for the right word.
- Peck it out.
- Shuffle through notes looking for a quote.
- Head to the vending machines for the third time in 15 minutes, hoping that when you come back you might — just might — think of something to say.
Nothing gets words on paper faster or gives your writing more personality than freewriting.
Both sides of the brain
Freewriting is based on the idea that our brains are divided into two parts:
- The logical left side. It thinks analytically, making sure you don’t end your sentences in prepositions or use a colon when only a semicolon will do.
- The creative right side. It’s impulsive and unconventional and gives your copy interest and energy.
Problem is, we weren’t taught how to use the right side of our brains to write. Instead, we focus on AP style, punctuation and spelling — editing.
Freewriting momentarily gets rid of the brain’s logical left side so you can tap its creative right side.
How to freewrite
After you prewrite and take a break:
- Divide and conquer. Choose one section: your lead, say, or the first part of the body.
- Take breaks. They help you solve writing problems and come up with fresh ideas.
- Write quickly, without stopping. Push through your conditioned impulse to edit.
- Banish the grammar police. Don’t let the left side of the brain take over! Stay in writing mode.
Get ready to rewrite.
Don’t worry if you make mistakes. You can always fix them later.
In fact, that’s the third step of the writing process: rewriting.
Work with — not against — your brain
While we talk a lot about what to write — More stories! Fewer words! Shorter sentences! — we don’t focus so much on how.
Writing is hard because we weren’t taught how to write. Instead, we were taught how to edit: how to spell, punctuate and use the right grammar.
But there is a how to writing. Learn a few simple steps that will make your writing time more effective and efficient at How to write Better, Easier & Faster — our writing-process workshop starting Sept. 18.
You’ll learn to invest your time where it’ll do you the most good … stop committing creative incest … even save time by editing before writing.
Save up to $100 with our group discounts.
