Feb 6, 2012

















  1. Right! I am doing this! Thank you so much for helping me out, I know that this will unlock the writing mind, what a magical way of warming up those brain muscles! And once more, thank you, always!

  2. Johanna,
    I have used the timer to get my thoughts rolling on a rough draft. I never considered warming up before working on my story. Intriguing idea and the thought of giving ten minutes to a problem, then moving on is great.
    Thanks for a terrific post

  3. Writing without a pause-a great way to tune out and get in the groove. The other day on the train I became aware of my inner voice, the fact that it is endlessly making a noise, it cannot be turned off. This was so traumatic that I almost collapsed. I can't wait to try some free writing!

  4. I think I'll try it too. I've been having trouble getting back in the groove since the holidays. Maybe this is what I need.

    : )

  5. Hi Johanna, I agree that writing seems to flow freer after you get the first 1,000 words of the day out the way. I am interested in how you do your freewriting before you start on your novel. Do you write 1000 words on your novel itself? Or 1000 words about something else entirely?
    Yours, Ruth

  6. It's amazing how often I filter out the really good ideas. In freewriting I see things I'd otherwise miss.

    Of course, sometimes it works the other way too. I'll be harboring an idea I think is amazing, but I freewrite it and it has much less substance than I thought it did.

  7. I too often lean toward endless research and mulling. Using a timer limits that.

  8. Yes. I have to still my inner voice to write. It always gets between me and the story, even when it thinks it's helping. It has to hush so I can see the scenes unfolding.

    Escaping into a book (whether reading or writing) allows me to be free of the chatter of that inner voice---such a relief.

  9. It usually works that way for me. When I find the flow of words, I want to keep writing. Those first words are the difficult ones.

  10. The warm-up words are separate from the novel. I can write on a topic connected to it or write back story or capture scraps of dialog that don't fit into the novel yet. All of those things are fine, but I don't try to add material directly to the novel until I'm warmed up.

  11. One of the best free writing aids one could find is Write or Die (http://www.writeordie.com). It has several incentives to keep you writing and to silence your inner editor. On the strictest settings if you don't keep writing it will begin to delete what you have already written.

    I find it quite useful to get me started and to keep me going on days when my brain just won't stop but my fingers just won't begin.

  12. I was hoping someone who uses Write or Die would mention it! My daughter found another take-off of that---a site that has picture of a cute kitten pop up every time a word count goal is met.

    If it works, it's good. :)

  13. I can't find a free version..... does it exist ?

  14. There's a web version that's free. If you click on the tab on the left side, it's there.

  15. Freewriting is such a simple yet effective way to prime the writing pump. I've used it in the past, but it fell out of my arsenal for some reason. Perhaps it's time I picked it up again. Thanks for sharing your experiences with it, Johanna. Definite food for thought.

    Take care,

  16. Walking is like meditation for me and I usually go for a walk when I'm stuck. But this also sounds good and I have used it when stuck on a plot, but I've never used a timer. I'll have to give it a go. This is a helpful blog and I'm glad I found it.