A free-write allows the author to write without stopping to correct spelling, grammar, or to think about what to write next. It allows the writer’s thoughts to spill upon the paper without worrying about how it may sound to another person or even if it makes sense. I was surprised to read if during the free-writing exercise, you cannot remember what word you want to say then just write I don’t know. I enjoyed the free writing, but I caught myself automatically hitting the back button several times. It will take practice to not try and correct errors during the free-writing exercises.
According to “Freewriting Exercises”, if the writer practices writing several times a week, for ten minutes, without stopping to correct errors, the person will become a stronger writer. When I was a child my mother made my siblings and I write in our journals each week. We would take an hour on the weekend to relax and write down our thoughts. I still have those journals and they bring back many memories for me. I thank my mom for teaching me how to write freely, but unfortunately I no longer take time to write in my journal each week. I am hoping this course will facilitate me gaining the ability back.
What an excellent smooth suggestion...journaling is a great way to practice free writing without a thought other than your entry ...most of us dont think of it as free writing when we do it, but using the tools we gain from here really can strengthen our journals as well and expand our minds if we allow ourselves to apply it!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reading
Daye
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteIt's great that your mom encouraged you and your siblings to write. I'm sure it made writing comfortable and it provided a "safe", non-judgmental forum to practice your writing.
Good writers like to write and they practice it often. I'm always amazed to hear discouragement about one's writing abilities. If we can't run a mile under 10 minutes because we never run, we'd probably tell ourselves we need to practice running. The same is true of writing. We shouldn't be discouraged about our writing skills, if we never have, or give ourselves, a chance to practice.
Your mom must have know you'd need the practice writing.
Thanks for your insights!
Lauren
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteThat's so nice that your mother had you keep a journal. Writing is an important skill and unfortunately, a lot of kids don't bother doing it as much as they should. They're too busy playing video games or spending their entire day on social networks. It's ridiculous! I'm sure that keeping a journal permitted you to become a better writer. Even if now you don't write as much, you know that you're capable of doing it well.
I should probably consider keeping a journal. I did occasionally write in my journals when I was young. I wasn't as arduous about it, so I don't have a very extensive collection of entrees. It is a great way to document major events in your life and it's interesting to read back on old occurrences.
I think it's great that your mom had you write in a journal when you were younger. I remember trying to do that too when I was young, but I'd always end up forgetting about the journal after a week. I wish I had stuck with it. I love revisiting meomories, it's nice that you have journals full of them.
ReplyDeleteThat is so funny your mother made you write a in a journal when you were child. My mom made me do the same thing, but I totally forgot about it until reading your blog post. Which is something I see now I should stayed with know it would have never sticked. I should look for my old journal and read it for the old time memories. I also had a hard time typing without deleting a few letters once in a while. Which is something I hope we will overcome very soon.
ReplyDeleteHello Sarah!
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that your mother was helping you become a better writer through encouraging the use of a journal. I also had a journal when I was younger that reminds me of many childhood memories when I read it. My journal helped me foster a joy for writing through relating to personal experiences occurring around me. It forced me to find words that could express the feelings I was dealing with on a daily basis. I hope that these free-writing exercises also help you express yourself in the same way that your journal did.
Hello Sarah,
ReplyDeleteThats cool! My Mom made me keep a journal of free writes in 5th grade but when I was young I was resistant to out of school writing and reading. I actually was resistant to school in general. Reading your blog brought up a bunch of old memories for me I only wish I knew where my journals were. Thank you for your time you have inspired me even more to write in a journal again.
-B
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteWhen I did my first freewrite I could not get over spelling and grammar now when i finally get the hang of it I switch to a computer and i cant stand the red lines under my misspells and am getting in the habit of correcting it. this will have to take a little getting used to like you said. I like the idea of using a journal i guess it wouldn't work to turn in in an online class but you can still use the journal for other thoughts or just for freewrites for yourself.