There are many ways to help people spur their thoughts around a subject to write on. For instance there is listing, make a list of thoughts that come to mind during a 10 minute period. You can also use this method with a very specific subject and listing out all the information you know. It will help you to see if you have missing information, or to much in one area over another. I actual like listing even though I really don't like lists.
Another way is to, as one friend called it, Brain Dump. Brain dumping is where you just write down in list form all the thoughts or ideas that come to mind. It is suppose to be a way of emptying your mind so that you have a better chance of focusing on one topic. This method does work. My youngest son can get easily distracted, so by emptying his mind of some of those distractions helps him to focus on what is important.
And the main reason for this post, focused freewriting. Now my youngest does not like this. It is a frustrating task for him. He always tells me that knowing there is a limit to the time shuts down his brain. When he goes to do this exercise I try not to tell him he has a timer going. With my daughter she actually likes this method. For her she could write for hours especially if she likes the subject. For her to sit and write for 10 minutes is nothing. For my oldest who is in college it is a mix bag. He likes the writing and is good at it. But he allows to many distractions in his study time to really get the full effect.
This morning I thought I would give it a whirl and try the focused free writing myself. Here is the post I wrote. Please remember you can't edit, or put any real structure to it. This is only to get your thoughts about a specific subject out on to paper.
Writers focused writing
Dec. 9,2014
Subject: The purpose for writing.
I have been and always desired to be a blogger. I knew this was a way to make money and share my experiences with the world. It was also a chance to share what I have learned and what I have learned not to do with homeschooling with the world. The problem is knowing what to say and how to say it. Knowing how to express yourself in a way so people will read and continue to come back to read. This people is not the easiest of tasks. In fact, I find it to be one of the hardest. Why would anyone want to read what I write in the first place let alone come back to view more. How can you portray your life and what is going on in a way to interest people? This is hard!! I now understand my children’s frustration and anxiety when it comes to doing some of the writing assignments I ask them to do. In fact this is a test, a test to see if I can do one of their assignments. I have set a timer for 10 minutes. I am trying to write for the full time about the purpose of writing. I have to try not to correct myself or put to much thought into this. I just write what comes to mind over the next 10 well now 5 minutes. This ladies and gentlemen is hard. Helping our kids understand the importance of communicating their thoughts so others understand is not easy. Hence the reason for doing this exercise. I wanted to know how it felt to sit at a computer and force yourself to write for a straight 10 minutes. I am hoping it will also help me to better myself as a blogger. I am terrible about being dedicated blogger. I don’t always stay on task and I am not someone who blogs on a regular basis. Bad me. I let too many other things in my life take over and distract me from what I want to do which is write. I would love to be able to express myself and help my kids express themselves. The funny thing is I continue to check my timer and see how much time I have left even thought I have not really stopped typing since I started the timer. I now have a new and glorious understanding and empathy for my kids especially for my youngest son. Now Jacob, who started college this year, has been given the task to write 350 words a day on a set topic. The teacher gives him a writing prompt or question and then off to the races as they say. There are times I ask him why it takes him so long? You should be able to do this in a short period of time. There should be no problem. Well, young and old parents, think again. It is a lot harder than it sounds, looks, tastes, and does. It is a hard task to sit here and write about a set subject for a set period of time. No easy task.
It is not an easy task, but it is a benificial task.
Another way is to, as one friend called it, Brain Dump. Brain dumping is where you just write down in list form all the thoughts or ideas that come to mind. It is suppose to be a way of emptying your mind so that you have a better chance of focusing on one topic. This method does work. My youngest son can get easily distracted, so by emptying his mind of some of those distractions helps him to focus on what is important.
And the main reason for this post, focused freewriting. Now my youngest does not like this. It is a frustrating task for him. He always tells me that knowing there is a limit to the time shuts down his brain. When he goes to do this exercise I try not to tell him he has a timer going. With my daughter she actually likes this method. For her she could write for hours especially if she likes the subject. For her to sit and write for 10 minutes is nothing. For my oldest who is in college it is a mix bag. He likes the writing and is good at it. But he allows to many distractions in his study time to really get the full effect.
This morning I thought I would give it a whirl and try the focused free writing myself. Here is the post I wrote. Please remember you can't edit, or put any real structure to it. This is only to get your thoughts about a specific subject out on to paper.
Writers focused writing
Dec. 9,2014
Subject: The purpose for writing.
I have been and always desired to be a blogger. I knew this was a way to make money and share my experiences with the world. It was also a chance to share what I have learned and what I have learned not to do with homeschooling with the world. The problem is knowing what to say and how to say it. Knowing how to express yourself in a way so people will read and continue to come back to read. This people is not the easiest of tasks. In fact, I find it to be one of the hardest. Why would anyone want to read what I write in the first place let alone come back to view more. How can you portray your life and what is going on in a way to interest people? This is hard!! I now understand my children’s frustration and anxiety when it comes to doing some of the writing assignments I ask them to do. In fact this is a test, a test to see if I can do one of their assignments. I have set a timer for 10 minutes. I am trying to write for the full time about the purpose of writing. I have to try not to correct myself or put to much thought into this. I just write what comes to mind over the next 10 well now 5 minutes. This ladies and gentlemen is hard. Helping our kids understand the importance of communicating their thoughts so others understand is not easy. Hence the reason for doing this exercise. I wanted to know how it felt to sit at a computer and force yourself to write for a straight 10 minutes. I am hoping it will also help me to better myself as a blogger. I am terrible about being dedicated blogger. I don’t always stay on task and I am not someone who blogs on a regular basis. Bad me. I let too many other things in my life take over and distract me from what I want to do which is write. I would love to be able to express myself and help my kids express themselves. The funny thing is I continue to check my timer and see how much time I have left even thought I have not really stopped typing since I started the timer. I now have a new and glorious understanding and empathy for my kids especially for my youngest son. Now Jacob, who started college this year, has been given the task to write 350 words a day on a set topic. The teacher gives him a writing prompt or question and then off to the races as they say. There are times I ask him why it takes him so long? You should be able to do this in a short period of time. There should be no problem. Well, young and old parents, think again. It is a lot harder than it sounds, looks, tastes, and does. It is a hard task to sit here and write about a set subject for a set period of time. No easy task.
It is not an easy task, but it is a benificial task.