Freewriting Friday: You’re Fired!

Prompts to fire up your writing engine

“It was very hard to rant while accepting a cup of tea.” ― Lauren Willig, The English Wife

Unless, of course, someone prepares the tea in an unacceptable way, like in a microwave.

Rants. Complaints. Venting. It’s my nature to steer away from negativity, but sometimes a person needs to let go of anger. That is why one reason I journal.

So in Minnesota, I know someone, our ex-Vikings coach, who might want to complain. Mike Zimmer, the (former) Vikings coach was sacked a week ago, something fans have been pushing for a while now.

We need new energy. We need a lot of things when it comes to our NFL team, but that’s a whole different article someone else can write.

But one positive thing is the news of Zimmer being fired prompted me for this week’s freewriting exercises.

So let’s write!

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

If you could fire someone in your life, who would you fire? Family? Friend? Boss? Or from your past? Why? Think of this as a rant-style exercise.

Set your timer for five minutes and write.

Second Prompt

Have you been fired? And I’m not just talking about from a job, maybe from a relationship or friendship? Why? Did you deserve it? Did you even care?

Set your timer for five minutes and write.

Third Prompt

Have you written a rant post before? Did it make you feel uneasy? Or not? Why? Did you worry someone would be mad in response?

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 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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