The value of a free write

Writer's block. Plot holes. Bland characters. Or even worse, the character that JUST WON'T WORK WITH YOU today. *shudder* the bogeymen all writers face. If you read the title you can probably guess what I'm leading up to, and you're probably right. Unless of course its 2am, you're trying to finish an essay, and STILL procrastinating by reading my blog posts. I approve of your choice of blogs to read. Can't say I approve of your procrastination choices. But that's not the point.

Free write! Guess what it is? When you take a feeling you want to express, sit down at your chosen writing medium (pen and paper, pencil and paper, phone, keyboard, whatever) and just write. Write horrible, horrible stuff. But write a lot of it. Don't second guess it, don't edit it, and absolutely refuse to read it until you're done. Okay? Don't stop writing until either 1, that paper of yours that you're still procrastinating isn't done and its due in fifteen minutes, or 2, you've spit out at least a few paragraphs of nonsense and you simply can't write anymore.

My personal favorites in the realm of free-writing is from the pov of my characters. I wrote a letter to Fiona from Alex the other day. I wrote a bit of conversation between Crystal and Regolith, without any action or description, just dialogue. I wrote this little descending-into-insanity piece for a character who's name you're not allowed to know. Did I get any practical writing done in any of these free-writes? Absolutely not. Did I accomplish something vital? Absolutely! I got inside the heads of my own characters and was able to finally understand how they felt about certain events and concepts.

Characters are very important people, never forget that. They have their own thoughts, lives, actions... Yes you create them but as soon as they're real, you actually have very little control. Free writing is a wonderful way to better understand your characters and the people they are becoming.

It isn't quite fair to tell you all about the wonders of free writing and not include an example of my own. So here I will post one of mine. Un-edited, just pure writing mess. It is the one about the character that goes insane, so be warned, and good luck!

Are you proud of me papa? Are you proud? I've turned out just like you papa. I too lead my people to victory. And then I destroyed them. I went insane papa. Are you proud? Are you finally proud of me? I hated you papa. So much. I wanted to kill you. Wanted to rip out your throat. My fingers still itch for your jugular, but I've learned. You were right Papa. People can't be left to their own defenses. They need someone to fight for them and lead them. Someone who knows what is best for them. But I've learned something I didn't expect. People don't always want to be led. They have to be persuaded. I was so angry papa. But I showed them, didn't I? Are you proud of me papa? Are you? ARE YOU?

I proved myself. I'm just like you! It isn't my fault I have my mother's eyes. I did everything! I didn't lose! Are you proud of me yet?

I did everything.

I won.

I won, really.

Are you proud of me yet?

Please papa, are you proud of me?