Writing exercises
Freewriting Friday: Forget Build-a-Bear, Let’s Build a New-You
Prompts to help you find your writing groove
Our first Freewriting Friday post of 2022! I hope everyone is settling into 2022. I know my motivation has been weaning after being off for two weeks, trying to get back into my writing groove.
It’s a new year, which means all the ads for a “new year, new you!” pop up everywhere, from weight loss programs and products to fitness centers, which inspired this freewriting Friday exercise. Are you ready?
Let’s start freewriting!
Music to Set the Mood
I like to listen to instrumental music when I’m freewriting. How about some jazz music today?
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.
After a recent visit to the Mall of America, my sons and I walked by the long line of parents and little kids standing outside the Build-A-Bear store. If you’re not familiar with the story, it’s a place where people can build a stuffed animal.
My boys used to love going there, deciding what to name their new cuddly creation (shhh, don’t tell anyone, but my 15-year-old son still loves his camo teddy bear he built many moons ago).
First Prompt
If you could “rebuild” yourself, what would be your new name? Where would you live?
Think about if you could start over and create a new you with a new name. Imagine where you would live if you could live anywhere in the world. Are you in a big city? Out in the woods with no neighbors?
Set your timer for five minutes and write.
Second Prompt
If you could have any type of job in the world, what would you do if you didn’t have to think about how much money you made?
Think about how you would spend your hours if money wasn’t a factor. In this dream place, you don’t have to worry about bills. What would your typical day look like?
Set your timer for five minutes and write.
Third Prompt
If money wasn’t a factor in your “new” world, would you dress differently? Surround yourself with different people? Find a new life partner? What would they be like? Explore a different hobby? Travel? Where to?
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.
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 to 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.
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