gfralin
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Re:Article for critique - 06/29/2007
An All New Edited Version UUUV:
Do Not Fall in Love with Your Free Write
A Free Write is a form of free association. When doing a Free Write, some writers simply avoid thinking about a topic at all. They like to start writing anything that comes into their mind during the process without any particular direction. Then, they will go back, read it, and find something in it they wish to focus on for a poem, story, or article.
Another style of Free Writing is not quite so free. Some authors of text books on written communication call it a Focused Free Write. In a Focused Free Write, you may write in much the same way. But, be totally focused on one topic. For instance, if I wanted to write something about my mother for Mother’s Day, I may use the topic of mother or motherhood and write anything that comes to mind. Then, I will go back, read it, and decide what part I want to use.
Both forms of free writing are valuable exercises writers use to break out of writers’ block. They may also be used to create new ideas.
Choosing a topic and making a Free Write is one of my favorite tools. I think this process is important to the way I write. One thing we must be careful of is to avoid seeing our Free Write as a finished product. Some Free Writes seem to be a complete story if we are focused enough to move smoothly from one part to another. It is easier for us to see on paper exactly where we are going. However, sometimes when I ask someone else to critique my work, I’ve been stung when their reply reveals they do not know what I am writing about.
We feel it is complete because it is clear to us. We do not realize we are asking others to read our minds. Once we set down with the Free Write and use it as a starter, we make much better progress. It is like pulling our car out of the garage. It may seem safe there, but it is not moving until we turn the key, put it in reverse and give it some gas.
Having others critique our work is a good way to get out of such ruts. Sometimes they can make suggestions that help us turn that key. It is good to get other writers to critique our work.
Critiques are a resource not a rejection. Writers are not as competitive as some may think. We like to help each other grow. If you are stuck on a piece of work and need to get out of that garage, let others give suggestions.
Places to find good critiques from other writers are local writers’ groups. The internet has forums that are specifically for writers to share and learn. Use the online forums with caution. Make sure you maintain all control of your posted work.
Revisions and edits help us to have immediate answers to the basic questions of who, what, when, why, and how of the setting and main character. This wonderful advice came to me from a journalist friend who critiqued a short story I was writing at the time. He felt the first paragraph of a story should answer most or all of these questions.
Free Writes are a wonderful tool. I recommend them. They can generate more than one work. But, they cannot be a finished product. Evaluate your work as if you were a critic and allow other critics to do the same. Then you may write a marketable piece.
Post edited by: gfralin, at: 06/29/2007
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