Resources for Writers

Freewrites and Writing Prompts

Write Around Portland believes that everyone is a writer, and our workshops focus on creating a safe and supportive environment for even the newest of writers to tell whatever story they need to tell creatively and freely. We use something called "freewrites," which are just that: an opportunity for writers to write freely, without an "assignment" and without necessarily a particular outcome or structure in mind.

Freewrites allow writers the freedom, time and forum to let their creativity and ideas flow from our pens. Freewrites can be the basis for longer pieces, or just a simple way to start getting pen to paper, whether you are a new or more experienced writer.

In our workshops, we use "prompts" as jumping off points for freewrites. For example, a prompt might be, "after the storm..." Workshop participants write that phrase in their journals and then freewrite about anything that comes to mind from that phrase. One person might write about the aftermath of a ship being tossed at sea in a storm, another might write about the aftermath of an emotional storm of two friends in a heated argument. The prompt is a suggestion, something to jumpstart your writing, and you can take it in whatever direction you choose.

Freewrites

You can use freewrites this way:

Find your favorite pen, some blank paper or a journal, a clock and a comfortable, quiet place to write.
Set a time limit for your freewrite. Ten minutes is a good time to start with. When you get more comfortable with this process, you can increase the time to 12, 20, even 45 minutes.
Keep your pen moving until the time has completely run out, even if you think you have run out of things to say. Writers are often amazed at what comes out of this writing, when they think they have "nothing else to say." Write about your shoe, the clock, how your pen feels moving across the page, what it feels like to have nothing else to write. Just keep writing.
You can read your piece to yourself when you are done, or read it out loud to someone else. You might use your freewrite as the beginning of a longer piece or just to get you "warmed up."

Prompts

Listed here are some words and phrases to use as prompts to help you get started. You can also use music, photographs, tastes, smells or objects as prompts.

Imagery

The night smelled like...
The old blue shirt...
In my dreams...
The thing on the beach...
I couldn't touch...
Reflected in the window...
As I entered the room...

Dialogue

"Why do you always..."
"How could you..."
"What did she say?"
"Before you go..."
"Did you drop this?"
"I saw you..."

Character

She always wore...
What I love about him...
Your face reminds me...
As she burst through the door...
My father...
The first thing you notice...

Perspective/Voice

My small furry body...
When I had wings...
This planet...
Living underwater...
The year was...
Before I was born...

Getting to know each other

I've never been...
You might think I'm...
I used to...
I love it when...
If only I could...


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DICTIONARY THESAURUS STYLE GUIDE TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News	Resources for Writers Freewrites and Writing Prompts Write Around Portland believes that everyone is a writer, and our workshops focus on creating a safe and supportive environment for even the newest of writers to tell whatever story they need to tell creatively and freely. We use something called "freewrites," which are just that: an opportunity for writers to write freely, without an "assignment" and without necessarily a particular outcome or structure in mind. Freewrites allow writers the freedom, time and forum to let their creativity and ideas flow from our pens. Freewrites can be the basis for longer pieces, or just a simple way to start getting pen to paper, whether you are a new or more experienced writer. In our workshops, we use "prompts" as jumping off points for freewrites. For example, a prompt might be, "after the storm..." Workshop participants write that phrase in their journals and then freewrite about anything that comes to mind from that phrase. One person might write about the aftermath of a ship being tossed at sea in a storm, another might write about the aftermath of an emotional storm of two friends in a heated argument. The prompt is a suggestion, something to jumpstart your writing, and you can take it in whatever direction you choose. Freewrites You can use freewrites this way: Find your favorite pen, some blank paper or a journal, a clock and a comfortable, quiet place to write. Set a time limit for your freewrite. Ten minutes is a good time to start with. When you get more comfortable with this process, you can increase the time to 12, 20, even 45 minutes. Keep your pen moving until the time has completely run out, even if you think you have run out of things to say. Writers are often amazed at what comes out of this writing, when they think they have "nothing else to say." Write about your shoe, the clock, how your pen feels moving across the page, what it feels like to have nothing else to write. Just keep writing. You can read your piece to yourself when you are done, or read it out loud to someone else. You might use your freewrite as the beginning of a longer piece or just to get you "warmed up." Prompts Listed here are some words and phrases to use as prompts to help you get started. You can also use music, photographs, tastes, smells or objects as prompts. Imagery The night smelled like... The old blue shirt... In my dreams... The thing on the beach... I couldn't touch... Reflected in the window... As I entered the room... Dialogue "Why do you always..." "How could you..." "What did she say?" "Before you go..." "Did you drop this?" "I saw you..." Character She always wore... What I love about him... Your face reminds me... As she burst through the door... My father... The first thing you notice... Perspective/Voice My small furry body... When I had wings... This planet... Living underwater... The year was... Before I was born... Getting to know each other I've never been... You might think I'm... I used to... I love it when... If only I could...	"If my writing has value, I must have some value." Lora Lafayette Write Around Portland Participant Provide weekly feedback postcards to participants.
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