{"id":12145,"date":"2023-02-18T02:11:26","date_gmt":"2023-02-18T09:11:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/?p=12145"},"modified":"2026-03-24T16:32:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T23:32:25","slug":"6-benefits-of-freewriting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/2023\/02\/18\/6-benefits-of-freewriting\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Benefits of Freewriting"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]When I present my journaling and creative expression classes, I always include at least one, and usually several, freewriting sessions with the writing exercises. Why? Because they are so effective at getting to the heart of whatever we are working on for the class.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>What is Freewriting?<\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]Freewriting is a writing exercise that focuses on the process of writing rather than the end result. Rather than stopping to think and then write, we keep the pen moving, writing whatever pops into the brain. What we are trying to do is out-write our own internal editor so that we can access the unvarnished, raw thought and ideas that are lurking in our subconscious.<\/p>\n<p>Sound spooky?<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s not, really. But through this process, people often end up writing things that give them, and others, goosebumps. In a good way.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>How Do You Freewrite?<\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I find it best to start with a timer. Generally, I choose a writing time between 5 and 20 minutes. Shorter than five minutes won&#8217;t get you far, even five minutes is a bit short, but I find that more than 20 minutes can be too much. With the longer time, it&#8217;s easy to forget what you&#8217;re doing and go get a cookie instead of writing.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Set your timer.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Start writing. Don&#8217;t let your pen stop moving.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Write about anything that pops into your head. If you think you don&#8217;t have anything to write, write &#8220;I don&#8217;t know what to write&#8221; over and over again until different words start coming out of your pen.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Keep writing. Ignore spelling errors and grammar, just shovel words onto the page. They don&#8217;t have to make sense. Just keep writing more words, without stopping.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>When you hit another wall where you think you can&#8217;t come up with any more words, keep writing anyway. Write the words that sound wrong. Write the words that make you want to hesitate. Just get the words out of your head and onto the paper.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Keep writing till the timer stops.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>That&#8217;s it. It&#8217;s that simple, and it&#8217;s that challenging.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; collapsed=&#8221;off&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>What are the Benefits of Freewriting?<\/h2>\n<h5><\/h5>\n<h5>1. Freewriting can be a form of release, of letting go of bottled-up thoughts and emotions.<\/h5>\n<h5>2. It is often possible to gain some clarity and perspective on a troubling issue while freewriting.<\/h5>\n<h5>3. The process of freewriting is often a catalyst for inspiration and increased creativity, especially when done as a regular practice.<\/h5>\n<h5>4. Freewriting can reveal thoughts and ideas that you didn&#8217;t realize were percolating under the surface, and get you more in touch with your own thoughts<\/h5>\n<h5>5. Freewriting is a practice that helps you overcome the need for perfection in your earliest drafts.<\/h5>\n<h5>6. A freewriting practice allows you to separate the editing process from the creating process.<\/h5>\n<h5><\/h5>\n<h5><\/h5>\n<h5><\/h5>\n<h5><\/h5>\n<h5><\/h5>\n<p>This whole process is meaningful and useful for creatives, but also valuable for dealing with everyday life.<\/p>\n<p>If you have a freewriting practice, I&#8217;d love to hear how it&#8217;s working for you. Share your tips and triumps, and any frustrations you have with the practice as well.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;ve never tried it &#8211; I dare you. Tell me how it goes.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Freewriting is a simple writing practice that helps prime the writer for creativity and inspiration among other benefits<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12158,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[699,894,770],"tags":[904,886],"class_list":["post-12145","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inspiration-living-well","category-journaling","category-writing-blogging","tag-journaling","tag-writing","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6-benefits-of-freewriting.png?fit=1600%2C900","blog_post_layout_featured_media_urls":{"thumbnail":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6-benefits-of-freewriting.png?resize=150%2C150",150,150,true],"full":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6-benefits-of-freewriting.png?fit=1600%2C900",1600,900,false]},"categories_names":{"699":{"name":"Inspiration","link":"http:\/\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/category\/life-skills\/inspiration-living-well\/"},"894":{"name":"Journaling","link":"http:\/\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/category\/life-skills\/journaling\/"},"770":{"name":"Writing &amp; Blogging","link":"http:\/\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/category\/creating-a-living\/writing-blogging\/"}},"tags_names":{"904":{"name":"journaling","link":"http:\/\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/tag\/journaling\/"},"886":{"name":"Writing","link":"http:\/\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/tag\/writing\/"}},"comments_number":0,"wpmagazine_modules_lite_featured_media_urls":{"thumbnail":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6-benefits-of-freewriting.png?resize=150%2C150",150,150,true],"cvmm-medium":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6-benefits-of-freewriting.png?resize=300%2C300",300,300,true],"cvmm-medium-plus":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6-benefits-of-freewriting.png?resize=305%2C207",305,207,true],"cvmm-portrait":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6-benefits-of-freewriting.png?resize=400%2C600",400,600,true],"cvmm-medium-square":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6-benefits-of-freewriting.png?resize=600%2C600",600,600,true],"cvmm-large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6-benefits-of-freewriting.png?resize=1024%2C900",1024,900,true],"cvmm-small":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6-benefits-of-freewriting.png?resize=130%2C95",130,95,true],"full":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6-benefits-of-freewriting.png?fit=1600%2C900",1600,900,false]},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1fDeG-39T","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":10745,"url":"http:\/\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/2021\/07\/12\/15-journaling-and-writing-prompts-about-friendship\/","url_meta":{"origin":12145,"position":0},"title":"15 Journaling and Writing Prompts about Friendship","author":"Judy Schwartz Haley","date":"","format":false,"excerpt":"Friends are the family we choose. 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It's time for a new year. A new page. We will still have the same problems once the bell tolls us into 2021, but we can stop, take a breath, hit reset, and then tackle the new year with a plan. 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I was twenty and had just decided that I want to be a writer when I grow up. I had never imagined such a book: a writer writing about writing. It's a simple concept, I know. 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