The Basics of Free Writing

When free writing;

1.      Give yourself a time limit of 30 – 60 minutes or a minimum word count.

2.      Keep your hand moving during this whole time limit. Do not pause to read what you’ve written.

3.      Write in a way that is most comfortable for you. If you type faster than you write; type. If vice versa then you know what to do.

4.      Choose an environment that is the least distracting for you and that you know helps you concentrate. Some people love the idea of being in a coffee shop with people milling around others just want to be locked in a room all alone with nothing but their computer.  As long as it works.

5.      Switch off your internal editor. Knock yourself out with the spelling mistakes, bad grammar, adverbs, metaphors and clichés, no one cares (at least not right now).

6.      Stop the research. I’ve been a culprit of this many times i.e. using research as an excuse for writing. Believe me during your first draft you need only the information you used in creating your synopses. If you don’t know the Israeli name for that new flat Mossad agent just name him Moses, highlight it with blue or underline and move on, you can sort him out later.

7.      And for Christ sake; Stay away from facebook, twitter, yahoo or your blog