![What is freewriting](https://i.imgur.com/Ya74PMQ.jpg)

Two days ago, I asked the question "[Do you freewrite?](https://steemit.com/writing/@sindore/do-you-freewrite)" and @remelsy asked, 

> "Is freewriting writing like you’re having a conversation? Or is it just writing a draft of your posts?"

To me, it's more like having a conversation - with yourself.

According to my dictionary, freewriting means:

> A writing exercise in which a person writes quickly and continuously, with a free association of ideas, especially as a means of initiating a more focused composition.

And “freewrite” means *to write (something) freely without stopping or thinking*.

The important thing is to write, non-stop.

You can do that on your own by starting a timer and start writing, or you can use a tool like [The Most Dangerous Writing App](http://www.themostdangerouswritingapp.com/) which will both help you with a five-minute timer and making sure you don't stop writing.

Because if you stop for a few seconds... ALL is lost.

## But We All Know that Starting Is the Hardest Part ##

So how do you start?

I recommend working on the topic you're going to address later with your "real" writing.

## Freewriting the Nonfiction Way ##

For example, if you're going to write a nonfiction book about toddlers, then you could spend your first freewriting session coming up with keywords, like:

* Potty training
* Diapers
* Food
* Bed time
* Clothes
* Pets
* Allergy
* Sickness

Simply go on for five minutes, and then save your list.

The next time you're doing a freewrite session, you can start with one of your keywords, and freewrite about it. Anything that comes to mind.

*My son and daughter used two different kinds of diapers. If my son didn't use brandA, he would pee through them, and I would have to bathe him and change all his clothing. With my daughter it was different. Even though she ate well, she had so thin thighs that if she didn't wear brandB, she would pee down her legs. Diapers are expensive, though, and back then bla bla bla.*

## If You're Writing Fiction ##

Your freewriting could be different. It's totally up to you, of course, because the main goal of freewriting is to get started. To warm up the fingers and the brain.

But I do fiction freewriting in two ways:

* I think of the next scene I'm going to write, and then I have a discussion with myself, on paper, about what will happen in the scene.
* I take one of my off-stage characters and write, as if I wrote that person's journal in first person, present tense.

## Freewriting Is Fun ##

All writing should be fun, but sometimes it seems like a duty. "Oh, I MUST write 2,000 words today or else the sky will fall down."

Bring the fun back to your writing. One way is to start out with freewriting. It's for your eyes only, so there's not any kind of pressure on you. You can, truly, write freely.