Brief Announcement
March 31, 2008
Hi Everyone. While I’m recovering from the flu, Writing Forward will be on a brief break. I will be back in a few days with new posts. Thanks for your patience.
-Melissa Donovan
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Freewriting Sans Topic
March 28, 2008
Many months ago I described my experiences with freewriting, explaining how learning this valuable writing method helped me improve my writing and find new ways to access the ideas that lurk in the recesses of my mind. When you practice freewriting, you step out of your own way and let images and symbols stream from your subconscious into your writing. This is a subtle yet powerful way to call on your muse.
For this week’s exercise, try freewriting for yourself. Sit down in a calm and quiet space. Take a few moments to relax and breathe deeply. Then, using pen and paper, fill one page with freewriting. Don’t think about the words you’re putting down. Instead, invite images and scenes and let these find their way to your page. If you’ve never practiced freewriting before, it could be awkward or uncomfortable at first. Sometimes one word will get stuck in your head. Just keep writing that word until something else replaces it. Try tapping your toe if you get stuck because rhythm sometimes helps stimulate freewriting.
If you’re brave, go ahead and post a comment with an excerpt from your freewrite. Good luck and have a great weekend!
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
NaNo Announcement: Script Frenzy
March 27, 2008
For those of you who love NaNoWriMo and who enjoyed screenwriting month at Writing Forward, you will be excited to learn that April is Script Frenzy month. Hosted by the NaNoWriMo folks, Script Frenzy is an event in which you challenge yourself to write a script in just 30 days.
For Script Frenzy, the goal is to write a movie, play, graphic novel script, comic book script, or a collection of TV shows or shorts in 30 days. You can even do a screenplay adaptation of your NaNoWriMo novel!
Script Frenzy’s finish line is 100 pages, and it has the same raucous energy and unpretentious atmosphere as NaNoWriMo. ScriptFrenzy.org is also home to the legendary Plot Machine, which issues all visitors a free, guaranteed Oscar-winning plot for their scripts.
If you’ve ever wanted to write a script of any kind, here’s your chance! Almost 5000 hopefuls have already signed up. It’s completely free, of course, and operates similarly to NaNoWriMo. Plus, there’s a Young Writers Program especially for young writers who want to take on the challenge.
Are you up for it?
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
