Are you experiencing a writing stalemate? If so, don't rush to delete your writing file! Instead, try applying the time-tested "freewriting" technique. Not only can you apply this technique to overcome writing deadlocks, but it is also effective in generating new and creative ideas for the continuation of your work. Want to know the full tips? Read on for this article to find out!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Choosing an Encouragement to Write
Step 1. Choose a theme, location, or emotion as your impetus for writing
First of all, you need to choose an encouragement to ease your initial writing process. The prompt can be a theme you like, such as love, loss, or strength, and a specific location such as a doctor's office, your parents' house, or a rocket launch center on Mars.
The urge to write freely can also be emotional; try to focus on strong emotions such as anger, sadness, surprise, or fear
Step 2. Choose a real or imaginary person to be a writing impetus
Another worthy encouragement you can use to ease the freewriting process is a tangible person such as your teacher, best friend, or pet. You can even create imaginary figures and describe them with common pronouns like “father”, “loved person”, or “enemy.”
Using certain characters as encouragement to write is often useful if you're having trouble creating characters for your story. Try free-writing about a character or figure to help refine your story idea
Step 3. Use your writing as encouragement
In fact, the urge to write can also be the result of someone else's writing or even your own writing. Try reading your favorite book and pick a sentence at random; whatever sentence you choose is your impetus for free writing. You can also choose random phrases or sentences from your own writing, or even try to continue the unfinished sentences from your writing.
For example, you could choose the phrase “He came into the room” as an impetus to start your free writing activity
Step 4. Look for writing prompts that can be accessed online or via your phone's app
If this is your first time trying freewriting, try choosing a light, simple push first. If you're at a writing stalemate, try to find a unique and unusual urge to spur your creativity.
- Sites like Writer's Digest.com and Daily Writing Tools.com list various writing prompts that are worth trying.
- You can also access the urge to write through applications such as Prompts or Write About This which can be downloaded for free on your cellphone.
Step 5. Ask your mentor for recommendations of suitable encouragement
For example, you can ask the Indonesian language lecturer at your campus. Ideally, a good mentor must understand the abilities of their students so that they are able to recommend the right writing encouragement.
Part 2 of 3: Applying Free Writing Techniques
Step 1. Eliminate anything that could potentially interfere with your writing activities
Set your phone on silent mode and turn off the internet on your laptop or computer. Close your bedroom door tightly and let everyone know that you can't be bothered. Also mute distracting noises so you can focus more on writing.
Step 2. Prepare a laptop or pen and paper
Some people prefer to write freely on paper; Meanwhile, it is not uncommon for those who prefer to type with the help of a computer or laptop. Choose the method that works best for you!
Step 3. Write your chosen impulse on paper and place the paper in front of you
Take advantage of this encouragement as your guide to put the ideas that arise into writing.
Step 4. Use the timer tool to control the duration of your writing
Remember, the time you set aside for free writing needs to be limited so you can focus more! Generally, free writing only lasts for 10-15 minutes.
If you want, you can write for a longer duration, which is about 15-30 minutes
Step 5. Write without pause in the specified duration
Hold a pen or open a blank document on your laptop, then set a timer for a specific duration. After that, think of one impulse and write down any ideas that come to your mind. Try not to reread and/or edit what you write. Fill the first page, then immediately move on to the next page!
- When the time is up, stop writing and read your freewriting. Remember, you can only read the results of free writing at the end of the duration! Don't mess with your concentration by doing it in the middle of a writing activity.
- After that, you can save the results of the writing and develop it into a complete work or insert the writing into existing works. You can even throw it away or give it to someone else.
Part 3 of 3: Practicing Free Writing Skills
Step 1. Try freewriting at least once a day
If you enjoy freewriting, try doing it each day with a different kind of encouragement. If there's a drive that you find difficult to develop, try setting aside more time to focus on that drive.
You can also practice your ability to develop different drives by using writing apps available on the internet
Step 2. Take advantage of freewriting skills to overcome writing bottlenecks
Free writing is also a very powerful way to fight someone's writing stalemate, you know!. Whenever a writing stalemate strikes you, try to write down whatever words or sentences come to your mind within a certain amount of time. Undoubtedly, after that your writing deadlock will slowly disappear.
Step 3. Develop your writing into a complete work
Most likely, the freewriting topics you choose are topics you enjoy. Therefore, there is no harm in developing the results of free writing into a complete work, right? For example, you can choose a quote or memorable moment from freewriting and develop it into a complete piece of writing.
