Freewriting involves writing full sentences quickly, without stopping and — most important — without editing what you write. You might want to start with one of the ideas you generated in your brainstorming activity, or you could begin your freewriting session with a prompt, such as “I am interested in _______ because . . .” Some writers set a timer and freewrite for five, ten, or fifteen minutes; others set a goal of a certain number of pages and keep writing until they meet that goal.

After brainstorming about factors that helped him adjust when he returned home, Bob freewrote about his readers’ purposes and interests.

No one in this town is a stranger to the military life. With Fort Carson nearby, so many of us — in school and in the Springs — have served in the military or have friends and relatives who did, or who are serving right now. I think people would want to know what it’s like, so they can support veterans better. A lot of people want to help veterans adjust to life after war, but they don’t really know what to do.

To freewrite, write as much as you can, don’t pause to consider whether your sentences are “good” or “bad,” and don’t pay attention to details such as spelling and grammar. If all this work results in a single good idea, your freewriting session will be a success.