Free Writing

When I was a teacher, I used to assign freewriting to my students, which is writing freely for a certain amount of time. The point is to get out the words, the thoughts, and overcome writing inhibitions. The technique, oddly enough, encourages students to write and not worry about grammar and conventions, but just to express their thoughts. That is where the “free” comes in. It was a liberating approach to writing–probably started in the 70’s, you know?

Anyway, tonight as it passes midnight. I feel compelled to write–not some chapter in my novel or some thing I should be writing, but just a free write. Let’s see where I go…

I have not written anything much in weeks, but I don’t have writer’s block. I have something worse: a lack of focus. My mind wanders in many directions…thoughts exist in fragments…even now I write without the normal cadence at the keyboard. Because if the keyboard were an instrument, I’d be banging on the drums. I’m a loud typist, exceedingly loud. There are quiet keyboards, but I’m not sure this would help. Or would it hinder me? I think I like the sound–even if the people around me (for what may be for miles) find it rather annoying.

Back to my point…(Did I have one?) And then there are these long…pauses…where I lose direction. My brain stops, freezes–and the moment is lost. But I know what is causing my writer’s ADD, if you will. My mind is crammed like a locker full of personal stuff. I’m too busy thinking about the real world to escape into my fictional realm.

I hate that Rob, Chloe, Callie, Ryan, and a bunch of other people who you don’t know about from book two have to wait until we buy a new house, plan lessons for the end of the school year (I homeschool in case you were wondering), decide what to have for dinner, find a way for laundry to wash and fold itself,  keep up with emails, family obligations…and the list goes on…

And if I say “once I/we (insert item from list), then I’ll have more time to write,” then I’m only kidding myself, right? Something always finds a way to fill our time.

Okay! I need to make a mid-year resolution and put writing back into the schedule. I need to do this because I’ve got an unfinished manuscript to complete. The first thing I need to do is go to bed early. (Hmm, it’s now 12:23…I guess “early” is a relative thing, huh?) Anyway, tomorrow night I’ll go to bed early, and on Sunday morning, I’ll write.

Goodnight, keyboard. Goodnight, computer. Goodnight, mind. Rest up now. You have a book to finish…