Today’s Writing Challenge comes from Melissa Donovan of Writing Forward.
Solution freewriting is a technique for solving problems in your writing projects. Start by writing the problem across the top of the page. Try to form it into a question. Then, write. Allow yourself to explore tangents and be emotional. You may find that you write yourself right into a solution. Some examples include the following: How can I explain the mystery I created for my story? What is missing from this poem? How can I better argue my position in this essay?
This exercise is from Melissa’s amazingly useful book, 101 Creative Writing Exercises. Thanks for sharing, Melissa!
Freewriting is definitely a great tool for sorting through things. I like the idea of putting the focus of your freewrite at the top.
I like that, too, Liz. I usually have an idea when I sit down to freewrite, but I love the idea of getting really clear.
I love this exercise and use it a lot (though still not as often as I should). Thanks for sharing!
I used to do freewrites regularly but I am out of practice. This will be fun to try with a new scene I need to squeeze in to my draft.
Interesting. This is much more formal and organized than the things I do, but I believe the thinking is the same. If I have a problem (well, when
), I can’t solve it by making lists and spreadsheets. It’s not the way my mind works. But I can’t solve it by ignoring it either (as Alanis teaches us, the only way out is through). So, I have it in the back of my mind, and I (this is the way I think of it) lean into it. Exerting some amount of patient pressure as I write, but remaining calm. And then, at some point. as the Quakers say, the way opens.
Leaning into a problem makes me visualize someone windsurfing through a draft, Anthony. Keeping calm and pushing through seems like a great way to solve problems in writing and in life.
Maybe I should get a “Keep Calm and Carry On” mug.
I just saw one of those in a bookstore on my trip. Should have gotten it for you!
Probably just as well. I just read an article about Lollapaloza and apparently “Keep Calm and _________ ___________” was the #1 most populat T-shirt there.
Too trendy for me.
Ha!
I have used this exercise, and it really does help! If only I would remember to use it more often.
I changed the order of things in my novel, and now a character who gives a solution to my protagonist isn’t needed, because the problem is fixed by the time they meet. So I need to create a new problem for the character to fix (he’s a doctor and he’s needed later in the novel so I can’t cut him out). I think I’ll try Solution Freewriting to find a new problem for my protag, which will then become a solution. Hmm.
Asking questions is one of the best ways to get out of a writing jam.
Very true, Kathryn–whether we ask the questions of ourselves, our characters, or our writing buddies.
Hi Laura,
I just wanted to say thanks for sharing this exercise with your readers. Going through all the responses has been quite inspiring! I’m so glad you’re enjoying 101 Creative Writing Exercises. Keep writing!
Thanks so much for agreeing to participate in my Writing Challenge series, Melissa! It’s always fun to hear how people respond to a particular exercise, and there were some great comments this time around.