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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/6160
Short Stories: March 19, 2014 Issue [#6160]

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Short Stories


 This week: Free Write - But there are some rules!
  Edited by: THANKful Sonali LOVES DAD
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

I attended a workshop in which we were given several free-writing exercises, with rules or guidelines to follow. I was surprised at what emerged for me.


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

Hallo Reader!
I attended a writing workshop recently, and we were given a lot of free-writing exercises to do. To my surprise, I heard that free-writing has rules attached to it! I didn’t know that before – and if you did know that, wow! I mean, I always thought that free-writing just meant ‘write whatever comes to your head’. Well, it does, but the ‘rules’ (or, let’s call them ‘guidelines’) help to make the exercise more meaningful.
         Our facilitators gave us topics, and then time-limits, and we had to write on that topic for that much time, keeping these rules in mind:
1. Keep the hand moving. Trust the process and it’ll start to make sense. If you can’t think of anything to write, write that – “I can’t think of anything to write just now.”
2. Don’t cross out. Let the free-writing be pure expression. If you think of a better way to say something – write ‘I mean ...’ and write what you’d like to. But don’t cross the original word or phrase out.
3. Don’t worry about spelling, grammar or punctuation.
4. Lose control.
5. Don’t think too much or get too logical.
6. Be as specific as you can. (For example, don’t just say ‘car’ if you can, just as easily, say ‘blue Ford Anglia’.)
7. Go for the jugular. If you feel uncomfortable about a particular line of thought and want to avoid it, that’s probably where the energy lies. Don’t beat it away, dive right in.
8. You are free to write the worst junk in the entire history of writing.
         Here are some free-writing exercise samples:
A. Write, for twenty minutes, on “The first kitchen I ever remember being in.”
B. Become someone who is critical of you. As that person, write a letter to you, offering advice. Five minutes. (Once that is done, write your response to that person, as yourself, for five minutes.)
C. Make a list of your fears and desires. (Ten minutes.)
         Let’s discuss what could happen when you write the first one. The first kitchen you ever remember being in was probably when you were very small, most likely with your parents. Aside from the description of the kitchen, and the food cooked there, you’d probably bring out a lot of early childhood memories. Most likely, your early memories of food are wrapped up in the way your parents presented it to you, and that’s going to lead to a reflection of the way you were brought up. Don’t knock it – it happens. If you really keep the hand moving, be specific and go for the jugular, and keep at it for twenty minutes, you’re likely to start out ‘earliest kitchen’ and end up ‘upbringing’.
         As for the second one – believe me, it’s hard. It’s hard to follow the ‘don’t avoid discomfort’ route. It does shake you up a bit, though, and it kind of turns you inside out and either has you laughing at yourself, or shrieking hysterically – or – at least – gaining some insights into your own character. And believe me, the ‘response’ comes as a blessed relief once the ‘advice’ is done!
         I personally found it hard to spell out my own fears, and I was tempted to avoid discomfort here. Desires were easier, though I sometimes say I don’t know what I desire! Still, it was easier to make a list of ‘desires’ than that of ‘fears’.
         Try it. Try free-writing as yourself, or as your character, or as whoever you want. It may help spark an idea or unblock a block!
Have fun!
Free-write On,
Sonali


Editor's Picks

Here's another neat little writing exercise!
If you haven't participated in an interactive story yet, try it! Add a chapter, or two, or more, once you get hooked! *Laugh* It's great fun!


 
INTERACTIVE
Global Chat  (ASR)
How would you KIT from across the world? Tell your story.
#1976148 by A*Monaing*Faith

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1973952 by Not Available.

 
INTERACTIVE
The Holiday Club  (13+)
A young woman embarks on some exciting holiday adventures.....
#1972389 by ⭐️Jellyfish⭐️

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1974698 by Not Available.

 The Museum of Linking Objects  (ASR)
A linking object is a physical item that connects you to someone in your past.
#1971464 by Prosperous Snow Valentine

 
INTERACTIVE
Steam  (13+)
An Exhilarating Narrative Featuring The Technological Wonders Of Our Modern Age Of Steam!
#1971954 by Eric the Fred

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1972184 by Not Available.

 
INTERACTIVE
Holiday Kids  (ASR)
A group of orphans partake in several journeys and adventures in search of birth parents.
#1972293 by A*Monaing*Faith

 
INTERACTIVE
Adventures in Officeland  (ASR)
It's a tiny cubicle, tepid coffee, irate co-worker jungle out there. Tell your story.
#1972303 by A*Monaing*Faith

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1856077 by Not Available.

 Walkin' Along Life's Highway . . .  (ASR)
As we walk along life's highway, we meet many people. Can we describe them? Let's try.
#1781902 by ruwth

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1776526 by Not Available.

And here's a poll that you may want to peek at!

 
POLL
How Many Is 'No One'?  (ASR)
When you say "I haven't told anyone", how many people does that mean you've told?
#1980447 by THANKful Sonali LOVES DAD

 
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Ask & Answer

Thanks for the responses to "Short Stories Newsletter (November 27, 2013)

Loved the newsletter and the story selections, especially "Invalid Item. You're excerpt caught my attention and the first chapter had me cracking up! (P.S. I like the excerpt idea.) - Joshiahis

Wow, GREAT Newsletter! - billwilcox

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