Set a Limit
Set a timer for 10 minutes, or decide to do 3 pages of writing
At a later date, read back your freewriting to see if it contains elements that can be used as the basis for fiction, poetry or memoir.
Shape and edit your freewriting to produce finished work.
Creative work that originates in fluent, unselfconscious freewriting will often be more original, powerful and successful that writing produced by laborious pre-planning.
Also, freewriting is fun, rewarding and easy to do.
I’m Kathy Hopewell, The Freewriter’s Companion. My mission is to encourage the use of freewriting.
After teaching creative writing and literature for thirty years at Bangor University in North Wales, I now offer courses to the general public.
Here on my website you’ll find free exercises, resources and articles as well as online courses to help you use and enjoy freewriting.
“Kathy’s love for her subject shines through in everything she does. Her enthusiasm is so infectious that I’ve done three of her courses so far.”
“Kathy’s classes have been an absolute joy to attend and I have learnt so much from her. A truly inspirational teacher and a lot of fun!”
As featured in
Here’s a lesson about freewriting that you can watch for free.
I explain how to do it and invite you to freewrite with me.
Here are three freewriting prompts for you to try right now.
So get hold of some paper and a pen, and have a go!
“As someone who used to be paralysed by the blank page I could not, now, do without freewriting.”
“Freewriting is a way to give yourself permission to write with almost no expectation of any particular result and there is surprising joy to be found in what results.”
“Using freewritten pieces to work into a finished piece was much more enjoyable and effective than working in any other way.”
“Freewriting should be every writer’s first step towards a first draft.”