I want to talk to you about a content writing technique called free writing. Genius really, but completely opposite of what’s been taught in high schools throughout history. The closest thing I’ve seen to it so far is the process of journaling. Even then, however, we have a tendency to edit while we write as opposed to simply writing for a period of time and editing after another set period has gone by, usually a day. Writing, you see, and editing, are done in two different parts of the brain. You’ll become a much better writer when you separate the functions of writing and editing, instead of combining them at one sitting.
The concept is that our brains become accustomed to the routines we’ve established. We know that’s true because of habits like addictions, exercise, and various other things we try to improve upon, only to realize that the mental aspect of what we’re changing is even harder than the physical aspect. Sooner or later we realize that we won’t really change anything about our behaviors without using a replacement value.
For instance, to stop smoking you must do more than just stop. Stopping requires consciously developing negative thoughts towards smoking, but also a replacement physical behavior that helps us relearn an alternative to smoking.
Free writing is actually the same concept. Instead of writing and editing your text as you write and as we’ve been taught, write freely on a topic for a 10 minute session. The time frame is crucial, the gobbledy-gook that you’ll write, is not. No matter what you come up with, even if it’s only “I’m writing for ten minutes and I will not stop until the timer goes off” over and over again, stick with it. Using a timer will help you stay the ten minute course without interruption. This process will allow you to retrain your brain.
The brain needs to understand that you will physically do this regardless of the outcome. Amazing things happen when you decide to take authority over your thoughts through physical action. You want to do one thing, but instead, create an environment where you have to do another. Your writing improves when you let your thoughts ‘flow’ instead of editing them. Returning to edit after a day of letting your work rest helps you stay on point, and also allows you to come up with quite a bit more content on a subject than you ever realized you could.
Give it a shot! Tell me what you think about free writing techniques. Are you coming up with better content? Tell me about it below.
Learn more from online marketing strategist, Ed Dale, by following this You Tube video link here:
Wow Susan,
You make me feel like I should take a more serious stab at writing.
Everyone has SOMETHING to say. Your advice should help get more people take it from the brain to the pen.
Thank you! So true, everyone DOES have something to say, and sometimes that pen is really heavy. Whether writing in a notebook and transferring it into your business blog – as I often do – or just straight writing into a blog, blogging isn’t always the monster we think it is. Good to hear from you.