FREEWRITING IS THINKING

Often we don't know what we're thinking until we have a conversation with someone, or until we write, freely, uncritically, for no one but us.   This is not necessarily the kind of writing that leads to a finished product.  Nor is that necessarily the intent of the freewriting.  Rather, the goal is to know what we're thinking.  Thinking without writing or talking can lead to rumination, not to new ideas.  One of the reasons conversations can impede the development of new ideas is that we must be aware of who the person is with whom we're talking.  Often they have a point of view that influences our thinking.  Not in the direction we want to go, even if we didn't know that before they spoke.  Not so with freewriting.

Yes, we can keep in mind other people as we write.  And, often we do.  But as well, we can "dismiss" those people and focus back on our own thoughts.  For example, I was just imagining a particular friend of mind as I was writing this blog, and immediately I could hear what he was saying.  I must say that I didn't resonate to it.  Because I am NOT talking with him in the moment, I have the freedom to get back to my own thoughts and write what comes to me.  As I do so, I can feel the strength in my writing voice grow.

I am not saying that it is harmful to speak to other people.  In fact, at times, other people are important and even necessary to the growth of our writing.  But, it important to be selective so we pick people who will truly support the evocation and development of our own ideas.  And, when in doubt, freewriting is the way through.