Writing prompts
Freewriting Friday: Roar Like a Tiger!
Exploring the words brave, competitive, and unpredictable
“As you step into the Chinese New Year, may God’s blessings guide you through your limitations and help you rise higher above your weaknesses.”
— Unknown
Tuesday, February 1st, marks the Chinese New Year, the year of the tiger, and the inspiration for this Freewriting Friday exercise!
They say those born in the year of the tiger are “brave, competitive, unpredictable, and confident.”
Let’s explore those words even more in our freewriting.
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
Think about the word brave. What comes to mind? Describe a time when you considered yourself brave. Or witnessing bravery, with a family member, a friend, on the news.
Set your timer for five minutes and write.
Second Prompt
Think about the word competitive. Do you consider yourself competitive? In what ways? In everything, or just certain times? When have you been the most competitive? When did you feel your competitiveness was a hindrance?
Set your timer for five minutes and write.
Third Prompt
Think about the word unpredictable. What has been unpredictable in your life? Is it a bad thing? Or does it motivate you more? How do you cope with the unpredictable?
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.
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