Explore freewriting definition and learn why freestyle writing is beneficial for writers. Study freewriting examples and learn how to free form writing techniques.
Updated: 11/21/2023
Freewriting | Definition & Examples
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of freewriting?
Freewriting is a writing exercise in which an author writes about whatever they are thinking about, without stopping, for a prescribed about of time. It is similar to stream-of-consciousness writing.
What is an example of free writing?
The following is an example of a sixty-second freewrite: "The sun is bright today I need to clean the windows. How do people's hands get so dirty? Thre's a lot t clean in this house. Clean clean clean clean how much can i get done before we leave town? I hope tha th weather is nice out there. There is no chance they will get me in the ater. I can't believe it's already october there are christmas things in the stores already. That stuff was there in September. Too early. The holidays will be good. So much better than last year."
What is the purpose of freewriting?
Freewriting can be used by authors to generate ideas for other writings, break through writer's block, and provide practice using different voices or in different genres.
Table of Contents
ShowFreewriting is a writing exercise used by authors to generate ideas without the constrictions of traditional writing structure. Similar to brainstorming and stream-of-consciousness writing, freewriting is an entirely open form of writing. However, freewriting occurs in paragraph form. The only constrictions in freewriting are that the writer must continue to write for a prescribed amount of time and write about whatever they are thinking.
Freewriting is a common prewriting exercise. It allows the writer to get their ideas on paper without worrying about spelling, grammar, or even topic. The writer should not pay attention to typos or read over their work until the time is over. Generally, authors will begin with ten-minute freewrites. It is often used to generate ideas for other written works, like stories or poems. There are various forms of freewriting, including standard, focused, journaling, and character response.
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The following is an example of a one-minute standard freewrite.
"The sun is bright today I need to clean the windows. How do people's hands get so dirty? Thre's a lot t clean in this house. Clean clean clean clean how much can i get done before we leave town? I hope tha th weather is nice out there. There is no chance they will get me in the ater. I can't believe it's already october there are christmas things in the stores already. That stuff was there in September. Too early. The holidays will be good. So much better than last year."
Conventions of grammar and spelling are ignored. The author begins with a general observation about the weather and then writes whatever comes to mind for the next sixty seconds. There was no stopping, and when the author could not think of what to write next, a word is repeated (clean) until something comes to mind.
Benefits of Freestyle Writing
There are several benefits to freewriting. Many people find it to be a helpful daily exercise that allows them to connect with their emotions and process through things. People who want to write larger pieces, such as poetry or fiction, can use it to:
- Generate ideas - After the freewrite is over, authors review what they have written to see if there is a phrase, idea, or emotion in the writing that they can build upon.
- Break through writer's block - Writer's block is a common problem for authors. When an author cannot get themselves to put something on paper, freewriting can give them a way to get past the feeling by forcing them to keep words flowing and releasing them from any constrictions or judgment regarding their writing.
- Provide practice in different genres or voices - Freewriting allows authors to write from the perspective of different characters or in different styles. It allows authors to practice their craft in a way without any specific expectations.
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Freewriting has four basic steps - clear mind, set time, write, and hard stop and review.
- Clear mind: Try to clear the mind as much as possible to allow it to freely move during the freewrite. Take some deep, calming breathes and relax.
- Set the timer: Beginning writers often start with ten-minute freewrites. Make sure the alarm is within hearing distance. One should not stop during the freewrite to check the alarm.
- Write: Write about whatever comes to mind. Do not pay any attention to spelling mistakes, punctuation, grammar, or transitions. Simply write. The mind is making the connections. Then, write them down. If one cannot think of anything to write, write that - "I can't think of anything I can't think of anything I can't think of anything" - until something else comes to mind. Keep going until the timer goes off.
- Hard stop and review: When the timer sounds, one must stop. Do not continue writing. Read over what has been written for new ideas, insights, or story beginnings.
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Then get to work on whatever larger piece that is needed. Freewriting is often a pre-writing activity to get the juices flowing.
Free Form Writing Techniques
There are variations in freewriting depending on the author's purpose.
- Standard freewriting is what is described above, without a provided topic.
- Focused freewriting is the same as standard freewriting, except a topic is provided as a starting point for the author.
- Journaling is a form of freewriting where the author practices the process regularly and simultaneously each day, usually as a form of preparing for the day when one wakes up or reflecting on the day prior to sleep.
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Below are two additional freewrite examples with comments:
Standard Freewrite:
"The grass tickles my feet and i need to mow. How many more times will we mow before the winter comes in? Early or late, early or late, early or late, this year I can finally use the ice melt. New driveway for two years. Seems like a long time. Two years was before all of this mess. Before leaving, before coming back, before."
Notice the author begins with a sensory description but does not stay there. Instead, his mind connects different things sequentially. Eventually, the author recalls a time from two years before, and the tone changes from pleasant ("grass tickling feet") to ominous ("coming back, before"). Also, notice the author repeating words when getting stuck ("early or late, early or late, early or late").
Focused Freewrite: Topic - Baseball
"I watched the game last night. October is the best. Playoff games almost every night. Three yesterday. The late game went past midnight. Midnight midnightmidnightmidnight. Not sure when the last time was that i watched baseball that late. With him. Before he died. Who was playing? Doesn't matter. Wasn't his team or mine. Neither has won since, either. That was twenty years ago."
In this focused freewrite example, the author is given the topic of baseball to begin. From there, the author connects his own experience with a game he watched last night to the death of someone close to him twenty years ago. Again, the author repeats a word within the freewrite ("midnight") until his mind makes another connection, and he continues writing.
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Freewriting is a prewriting exercise similar to brainstorming and stream-of-consciousness writing. It allows the author to write, in paragraph form, without constrictions of grammar, spelling, or transitions. The writer must write what is on their mind, without interruption, for a prescribed amount of time. Freewriting helps authors to generate ideas, break through writer's block, and practice their craft. It follows a simple process - clear one's mind, set the time, write, and stop at the timer. Freewriting can be done either in its standard form, focused on a particular topic, or as a practice (i.e., journaling).
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Video Transcript
Definition of Freewriting
Freewriting is the practice of writing down all your thoughts without stopping, and without regard for spelling, grammar, or any of the usual rules for writing. It might include a topic as a general guide, or it might not. The purpose of the exercise varies, but it can be used to generate ideas and to clear out distracting thoughts. There are various possible forms of freewriting, such as journals, essays, and fiction writing.
When you freewrite in your journal, you write down anything that comes to mind. You might decide to set a limit, such as the number of pages or a time limit. Freewriting in your journal is different from reflecting and working through a problem. When you freewrite in a journal, every random idea and impulse goes on the page, and you should write without stopping. You might encounter an idea that you want to explore during the freewrite, and this is an impulse that you should follow. The main thing is to not begin the freewrite with any topic in mind.
Freewriting is also a prewriting or discovery activity. For example, your instructor might ask you to write down your topic at the top of an empty page, and write for five or ten minutes without stopping. This process helps silence the inner critic that stifles the flow of ideas and creativity. Writing instructors often begin each class with a freewriting activity, to help students remain focused.
If you write fiction, the freewriting process can help you break free of perfectionism and writer's block. Freewriting helps do away with judgments about good or bad writing. Anything is allowed, but you might want to tear up some of it later for privacy reasons! You can begin with a prompt, or imagine the best and worst things that could happen to your protagonist as a way to get started.
You don't have to think about grammar and spelling when you're freewriting, but it helps if you can actually read your writing when you're done. This might not be a problem if you type your freewrites, but it could be. The main thing is to write legibly so that you can read it back to yourself, or if you're in a classroom, so you can share with the rest of the class.
Freewriting Example and Benefits
Let's take a look at an example of freewriting - Topic: Snow
snow on the ground in april makes me wonder if spring will ever arrive here in the north country every driveway and street corner has a small gray glacier that growls at us every time we go by reminding us that the green grass and flowers we long for will come when they decide it will.
Errors abound in this freewriting example! But it might result in a story or a narrative essay.
In addition to its other benefits, freewriting is a type of writing practice. Like any other craft, the more you do it the better you become. Also, the ideas you encounter in freewriting might reveal areas of creativity and skill you were unaware of. You could find a knack for writing description, for example, or a hidden talent for poetry might emerge from your freewriting activities.
Lesson Summary
Freewriting is the practice of writing down all your thoughts without stopping, and without regard for spelling, grammar, or any of the usual rules for writing. There are various possible forms of freewriting, such as journals, essays, and fiction writing.
When you freewrite in your journal, you write down anything that comes to mind. Freewriting is also a prewriting or discovery activity. If you write fiction, the freewriting process can help you break free of perfectionism and writer's block.
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