Freewriting Friday: Do You Love or Loathe February 14th?
No matter your answer, let it be your writing inspiration
“To love at all is to be vulnerable.”
— C.S. Lewis
I’m not a fan of Valentine’s Day. The commercialism of love irks me as I age. But at the same time, one of my fondest memories growing up was making my school valentine’s box with my mother.
I don’t have many memories of us working on creative projects together, but for some reason, those memories shine the brightest.
Sitting at our dining room table, using really only construction paper as our supply. I would get frustrated when I wasn’t able to make my vision come to life in a 3D form. She stepped in with a magic wand of patience and creativity.
When I became a mom, I couldn’t wait until my kids were in elementary school to recreate my lovely memories.
Or so I thought.
The fun didn’t seem to transfer when I was on the mom's side of the table. I think I had this perfect image of how it should go and with two boys (17 months apart in age) that image didn’t quite match.
Their desire to even make a valentine’s day box was nothing like mine. They just wanted to eat the candy we were attaching to their notes (in my day, we only wrote a note, no candy).
It was still a fun time when I let go of the expectation.
If even the experience was more tiring, it still was our tradition for many years. And getting a heart-shaped pizza for dinner. 💖
Okay on that note. . .
it’s time to freewrite!
Music to Set the Mood
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
Do you have a Valentine's Day tradition? As a child? As a parent? How has that tradition changed throughout your lifetime?
Set your timer for five minutes and write.
Second Prompt
Have you ever experienced the “perfect” Valentine’s Day, like the kind from a Hallmark Channel movie? What was it like? Describe all the senses.
Set your timer for five minutes and write.
Third Prompt
Do you hate Valentine’s Day? Why? Have you always felt this way? Did something happen to change your outlook? Let the rant begin!
Set your timer for five minutes and write.
Revision
When you freewrite, always allow your words to simmer before putting your editor hat on. When I write, I either only freewrite, with no editing or stopping. Or I edit and revise. Never at the same time.
After some time, go back over your words and add structure. Take away, add. Polish it up!
Submit your work to Flint & Steel
You can submit your writing to any of the freewriting exercises found at Flint & Steel anytime. There are no deadlines for these prompts.
If you publish your article with another publication, tag me so I can stop by and comment on your piece.
Visit the submission guideline page to sign up to be a writer at Flint & Steel.
More of my freewriting exercises
✍ Written by Ellie Jacobson, @2022 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.
🍮 Support me with a cup of coffee. I thank you.
📣 Join Medium and have unlimited access to my writing and thousands of other writers on Medium.
