Writing
Freewriting Friday: Creature Comforts
Three writing prompts centering on self-care
Last night we had our first snowflakes of the season. I didn’t actually witness since it was dark, but the evidence is found on the roofs of the neighboring homes.
As we slide closer to winter, I get the itch to bake. This week has been chaotic since my son’s accident, but I finally had time to bake banana bread yesterday. I love baking up fresh treats for my boys when they get home from school.
That was one of my fondest memories as a child, walking up to my grandmother’s house, smelling molasses cookies wafting from the back kitchen door. Walking into the warmed house, peeling the layers of winter wear, hearing the echos from the kitchen, “Don’t leave it on the floor!” to find fresh-out-of-the-oven cookies, erasing any bad day vibes away.
Let’s get to freewriting!
Instructions
Use this time to write something personal or write from the perspective of a character from a fictional story you are working on. Or write a poem.
Allow your mind to wander, not worrying about the final product.
- Allow yourself at least 15 minutes for a freewriting session.
- Write in a place with no distractions.
- Only allow yourself to write and use this exercise as a guide.
- Only use your phone for the timer and turn off notifications.
- Move from one prompt to the next or focus on one.
- Don’t stop writing for the time allowed.
- Don’t edit yourself.
Freewrite in response to all the prompts or focus on one. Whichever calls out to you. Use these prompts as a springboard to your next article, flash fiction, or short story.
As a fiction writer, you can use any of these prompts from your character’s perspective to get to know them better; maybe a story will form through your freewriting.
First prompt
What was a comforting activity to do as a child throughout the different seasons? Building a snowman in the winter? Jumping in piles of leaves in the fall? Swimming at the local beach with friends in the summer? Visiting the zoo in the spring? Use all the senses as you write.
Set your timer for five minutes and write.
Second prompt
What now brings you comfort? Does it change as the seasons change? Being alone with a good book? Playing a board game with your family?
Set your timer for five minutes and write.
Third prompt
What is something that you thought would be enjoyable, but turned out not to be? For example, when I was a teenager, I attempted snowshoeing at a local park. It looked so serene and easy to do, but I was a disaster, falling left and right. I tried again as an adult. Nope, not for me.
Set your timer for five minutes and write.
Revision
Let your words simmer after a freewriting session. Go back and decide if you want to turn your words into a story or article. Then start the revision process.
@2021 Ellie Jacobson
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Written by Ellie Jacobson, all rights reserved.
I’m a freelance writer and editor from Minnesota, writing my first novel, a psychological suspense novel. Are you a writer? Check out Sparks, my newsletter filled with writing prompts to spark your creativity.
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