Free-writing
Free-writing
is a great way to explore a subject without the constraints of organization.
In order to generate ideas about a subject or to see how much you know
about the subject, simply take a blank sheet of paper, concentrate on the
subject, and write for ten minutes without stopping.
This helps
to get around that stubborn part of your mind that doesn't want to write
or can't think of anything to write. It's important to just keep writing!
What you write is not nearly as important as the fact that you keep writing.
Don't go back, don't re-read, don't censor your ideas (no crossing out
your stuff), don't stop to edit, and to heck with grammar, punctuation,
and spelling. For this exercise, they're irrelevant. Just keep writing;
try to stick to the topic and see what develops.
Maybe
try this format:
I know
that a blank page seems very intimidating at first. Try writing for five
minutes nonstop. Pick any topic you like. Soon, you'll see how quickly
that page fills up!
Don't
worry about grammar right now. The most important thing is to keep writing,
even if you don't know what to say. If you're stuck, try “I don't know
what to say here... I like to jog... it's raining outside..." whatever
comes to your mind, until something comes up about the subject.
Writing
Blind
Having
trouble writing without automatically editing while you're writing? Try
writing without looking at the paper. Sure, you may scrawl outside of the
lines, but you can't edit what you can't see! This technique is especially
great if you use a computer to write. Turn off the monitor and just type.
You may find that ideas have appeared on that screen that you were unaware
of when you started.
Brainstorming
Brainstorming
is similar to free-writing. Focus intently on your subject and push yourself
to list every idea and detail that comes to mind. The best ideas often
come in bits, so limit your ideas to a few words and and put them
in a grocery list order.
For
example, using the topic of "Music", your Brainstorming list may
look something like
this:
Here too
it's important to turn off that part of you that automatically says, “this
is not good enough” - your “internal editor”. Just keep your pen moving!
Clustering
(Mapping)
Remember
playing games like free association or word association where one word
was said, and someone else said the first thing that popped into his/her
mind associated with that word? Clustering is a word association tactic
that demonstrates these relationships between ideas by combining writing
and drawing. You radiate from a central point - your topic. When the idea
occurs, you chart related ideas using lines. Then you do the same
with other ideas until you are exhausted. It really helps you see where
and how your ideas connect and can even help you organize your thoughts!
Journalist
Questions
Who,
What, Where, When, Why, How?
These
questions are useful in digging up all the details: Who did
it? Who was there? What happened? Where did the incident happen? They help
you to make certain that you've collected all the facts.
Developing
(Incubating)
Sometimes
you need to let ideas sit and develop for a while before writing again.
Sometimes ideas are a little like undeveloped photographs. If you
give them time to develop, you'll get a clear picture. If you're stuck,
think your ideas are too messy, or if you have a good idea, but it's still
a little weak or unclear, you might want to try this technique. Time is
the key. Think about it, write a little about it, go away from it, and
get back to it later. You'll be surprised how well the picture forms, given
a little time.
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