Nothing can be written, usually, without revision, albeit minor revision.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, it is possible to get  to the point where your freewriting is close to a finished product.  But, when this does not happen and revision is needed, there is still an important place for freewriting.

Peter Elbow in Writing With Power (p.132) talks about being willing "…to let things really come apart" as you revise in order to get the writing you really want.  Specifically, he says

"…if you are willing to follow this unravelling thread where it leads you, you have to put aside everything you have already done.  The most useful tactic at this point is usually to plunge into new, open, unworried writing; to think on paper and let this difficulty or seed of doubtg grow.  Follow new thoughts where they lead; plunge deeper into the forest of confusion." (p.132)

At this p;oint, you are NOT thinking about the audience for whom you're writing.  Rather, you want to know what you're thinking.  This may lead to a quick and satisfying result.  Or it may lead you to something genuinely new.  Or you may see the "old" idea in a new way.  The outcome in the moment that is least preferred is when you experience yourself as stuck.  But, Elbow says, "In the long run this is a happy state of affairs; you are likely to be on to something important.  You are charting new territory, this is the best kind of thinking.  The kind that makes you smart and creative." (p.133)

Freewriting can never be abandoned if you are a writer or a wannabe writer.

Nothing can be written — usually — without revision, albeit minor revision.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, it is possible to get to the point where your freewriting is close to a finished product.  But, when this does not happen and revision is needed, there is still an important place for freewriting.

Peter Elbow in Writing With Power (p.132) talks about being willing "…to let things really come apart" as you revise in order to get the writing you really want.  Specifically, he says

"…if you are willing to follow this unraveling thread where it leads, you have to put aside everything you have already done.  The most useful tactic at this point is usually to plunge into new, open, unworried writing; to think on paper and let this difficult or seed of doubt grow.  Follow new thoughts where they lead; plunge deeper into the forest of confusion."

At this point, you are not thinking about the audience for whom you're writing.  Rather, you want to know what you're thinking.  This may lead to a quick and satisfying result.  Or it may lead you to something genuinely new.  Or you may see the "old" idea in a new way.  The outcome that in the moment is least preferred is when you experience yourself stuck.  But, Elbow says, "In the long run, this is a happy state of affairs; you are likely to be on to something important, you are charting new territory, this is the last kind of thinking.  The kind that makes you smart and creative." (p.133)

Freewriting can never be abandoned if you are a writer or wannabe writer.  So, why not make freewriting your friend?