Free Writing Guide

Use this handy guide to make your way to writing easier

Sometimes, it can be hard to start writing. We all have our own relationship with it. For some, writing is a regular activity that feels comfortable and confident. For others, it might be tied to feelings of uncertainty or even being a little lost. Personally, I used to struggle with the belief that the final result wouldn‘t be good enough, which often stopped me from starting at all.

That’s why this page focuses on the process of writing—on practising the act of writing itself—rather than worrying about the outcome!

On the right are the Free Writing Rules that we normally follow in our writing sessions and that help us getting started.

The goal is simply to spend some focused time writing. Five minutes is a great place to start, maybe set a timer or look at the clock. In the library there’s paper and pens available, but you can also use your own tools.

You’re also welcome to write in the language you feel most comfortable with—it doesn’t have to be English.

Free Writing Rules

 1. KEEP  YOUR HAND MOVING

Don’t pause to reread what you’ve written that will only interrupt your flow and lead to overthinking. That said, don’t feel pressured to write quickly either.

2. DON’T CROSS ANYTHING OUT

If you write something you didn’t mean or didn’t intend, leave it. This stage is about writing, not editing.

3. DON’T  WORRY ABOUT SPELLING

punctuation, grammar, or staying on the lines

4. TRY  TO LOSE CONTROL

5. DON’T  TRY  TO BE LOGICAL

Let your thoughts flow freely. Don’t think too much.

6. DON’T AVOID  THE SORE SPOTS

If you write something that scares or exposes you, stay with it. Often, there’s a lot of energy and meaning in those moments.

Our approach is inspired by Natalie Goldberg‘s book Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within. The rules are also from her book but are slightly edited.

Inspiration

Here you‘ll find prompts to spark your writing. The Free Writing Society has also curated an inspiring zine exhibition in the Glasgow Womans Library from their archive, and you hopefully find some inspiration in the writing within this phone book.

Prompts

• Unsuccessful call

• Between our fences

• After a long distance call

• You‘re doing too well

• Women‘s Networks

• The Vatican phone

• I‘m calling you

• “It‘s me“

• A call from the night

• Monologue for singles

• Prisoners with a telephone

• The bewitched telephone

• Write a letter to someone you haven‘t thought of in a while

• The true meaning of the telephone

• Cut off from communication

• Write a letter to someone you still have things to say to

• The person from the office

• Not in the phone book

• Telephone as a weapon

• Congratulations by cell phone