So. . . what is all this talk about freewrites and writing prompts? What does it all mean?

A freewrite is a style of writing that is . . . well. . . freeing. The writer hears or reads a word, or a phrase, and just starts writing. Often a timer is set, so there is the “under the gun” feel of a deadline, a limited time to write.

Click here for more information about freewrites.

I post writing prompts writing prompts, on The Write Spot Blog. Sometimes the writing prompts are fun and playful. Sometimes they inspire memoir type writing. Other times they work well for fiction writing.

Mostly the prompts are what you make of them. . . you can go light and stay on the surface, skating on the edge, or you can go deep.

This type of writing is an opportunity to explore and perhaps come up with ideas for writing or . . . for solutions to situations. . . or for personal growth and transformation.

Shed your ideas about what perfect writing means.   Give yourself permission to be open to whatever comes up. Writing isn’t always about talent, it’s about practice and going into another dimension. Rather than write for an audience, write from an instinctual level.

Creative writing is an act of discovery. Immerse yourself in writing. Let go of your worries and write. Write to a satisfying inner desire to go to a meaningful place.

Go deeper into the recesses of your mind and really write. Write from the well that stores the fears. Let the tears come, let your stomach tie up in knots. It’s okay to write the story that is difficult to tell.

Get through the barriers to go to a deeper level. See your story and tell it.

Want to practice this freewrite type of writing? Right now? Ready? Here ya go:

Take an imaginary walk through your hometown and see what people and what places pop up. Take a few minutes to remember the smells, and notice what feelings come up as you walk through your town.

Write what you remember about your town. Just write.