June Challenge: Freeing Your Writing

This month’s challenge uses one of my favorite writing practices; freewriting. Freewriting is how I solve problems and generate ideas — it’s like a physical portal into deep thinking.

Here’s how it works: Pick up a paper and pen, or a keyboard, and write fluidly and without judgment, until you fill a page or hit a word count. That’s it. When you get stuck, keep writing by asking yourself questions as you write.

Why does it work? Freewriting shuts down the inhibiting effect of the inner critic—giving your Muse free rein. You usually get good ideas from inside your own head, even if you don’t use the words.

Here’s my challenge for you:

Pick a topic you want to write about—for a blog series, a book, whatever. This month, try to freewrite 500 words a day, at least 5 days a week, about that topic. No outline, no order — write whatever arrives that day.

If you do this, you’ll end up with 10K words or 20 pages, which will include good ideas and fresh insights. It might be enough to get you started on a book. 

See what happens—and happy writing.

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