Five Basic Tools You Need to Start Freewriting And Encourage a Reluctant Writer

From the very beginning of our homeschooling adventure, I had kids who would outright refuse to write anything creatively. When I brought out a writing assignment, they would groan and sometimes even have meltdowns. You see, they had spent years in school being told to write in a particular form with a particular set of rules. By the time we started homeschooling, they were over it. No one but the baby (who was new to school) wanted to spend time being forced to write another boring essay.

So, I had to come up with something new to get their creative juices flowing and to keep the meltdowns at a minimum. It was about that time that I was introduced to freewriting. This relaxed writing style appealed to the beleaguered homeschool mom in me, and the writing philosophy was so different that I thought that it just might work.

We started with freewriting and didn’t look back.

Freewriting is that wonderful key that unlocks the writer within. It’s the vehicle by which we trick our inner selves into divesting the words and ideas that we want to share but are afraid won’t come out right on paper if we do. The term “freewriting” comes from Peter Elbow, author of Writing with Power.Julie Bogart, Brave Writer

There is a peculiar kind of magic that happens when you freewrite with your kids. Somehow the frustrations of the day disappear, and you enter a world of imagination — even if it’s only for 10 minutes.

There are simple rules to freewriting. The most important of these are keep your pencil moving and don’t stop for anything – not a misspelled word or misplaced comma. Just keep going. This isn’t time for revision or perfection. It’s a sort of brain dump — just get everything you are thinking on paper. Freewriting should be fun and creative, not critical. 

How to Start Freewriting

The more straightforward the task, the easier it is to accomplish. This philosophy applies to freewriting as well. We keep freewriting simple which allows the kids more freedom to think creatively.

All you need are a few tools to get started freewriting.

Inspiration

We start with some inspiration. Inspiration can really be anything. Most recently we used a writing activity called Keen Observation.

I gave each child a bag with an object inside. They had to reach in and feel of it and write down their observations. Next, they smelled inside the bag and again wrote down their observations. Then they were allowed to remove the object from the bags and use the last three senses to describe their mystery object.

Then it was time for the freewrite. They used the descriptions they had added to their papers to create a story, poem, or just a paragraph describing their new treat. Some were reluctant to write their thoughts. But, the rules were simple: Write until the time is up and write anything. The reluctant writer started with, “It’s yucky.” But, she didn’t stop writing and eventually had a page of why she hated her particular treat.

But, my favorite was one kid’s description of a Moon Pie. She wrote,

“Soft and round and large,
About as big as my palm.
This is my task and my charge,
To describe this thing, flaky and soft.
The dark brown fades to tan
On one end, but not the other
Like the bottom of a frying pan
Covered in chocolate coating.
Inside a surprise is hid,
With joy and possible gloating.
Thump it and make a drum.
One question now is left.
The answer soon revealed.
If your mind is swift and deft,
Then answer, What is this?”

It’s amazing what talented poetry can come from a simple freewrite.

Time Limits

The next tool you need is time limits. When a reluctant writer is told they must come up with something creative from their brains, it can be overwhelming. Starting with a finite time can help reduce the stress, especially if the time is short. We started with 5 minutes and have now increased to 10 minutes. This is the maximum time a child has to sit and write. However, they are always free to continue writing as long as they want. Often, they get carried away and keep writing for much longer.

Encouragement

The easiest way I’ve found to encourage the kids to write is if several people are writing together. When we are at home, this means we all sit down to write — including mom. There is less whining because everyone is participating.

In a group setting, like at Poetry Teatime, the kids are encouraged by each other. They see the excitement on another child’s face as they write about something inspiring to them. Others participating in the same practice motivates them to keep going.

An Inviting Atmosphere

Writing can be done anywhere, but we all know that writing comes more naturally when your mind is clear, and you feel comfortable. For some of my kids, this means going outside so they can feel the wind and sun on their faces. For others, it’s a soft blanket in a comfy chair. Regardless of where the writing is, make sure the atmosphere is inviting with few distractions.

Proper Utensils

Pretty notebooks, colorful pens, bright papers — whatever it takes to make your child want to start writing works. Some of mine like to write with pencils only. Some like to write with pens. And, don’t get me started on how many journals/notebooks we have in this house. We like pretty pens and stationery. As long as it works, I’m all for buying a pretty notebook to get my kids’ thoughts on paper.

More Inspirational Ideas to Use for Freewriting

There are thousands of creative writing prompts out there in the world to choose from, but I am partial to those that lean more creative. Here are some of our favorite ways to start a freewrite.

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Freewriting Blog Hop

Check out these other amazing bloggers and their articles about freewriting:

How We Do Free Writing in our Homeschool by Michelle at Homeschooling in the Pines
4 Simple Ways to Encourage Your Teens to Write by Kay at Heart to Heart Homeschooling

Dachelle

Hi, I’m Dachelle. I’m a homeschooling mom of 3 in the South. I love chocolate and have been known to hide it from my children. I can often be found reading a good book (or even sometimes just an okay book) and enjoying a jar of Nutella — don’t judge. I blog, here, at HideTheChocolate.com when I’m not creating book clubs and making lists…lots and lots of lists (it’s an addiction). Learn more…

www.hidethechocolate.com