Free writing

This useful and often-used technique for writers helps poets and would-be poets discover something to write about. It is often as simple as sitting down and writing whatever comes to mind on a particular subject, but is more focused than what is often called "automatic writing." Aids to free-writing include objects and photographs and include detailed descriptions and writing to the point of exhaustion on a particular image or theme before ever beginning a poem. It is the "home work" for at least one exercise. Other variations on free writing include "The Peasant Wedding" where students look at a painting that is filled with characters and actions and make up dialogue and background stories for the people portrayed in the picture. Free writing gives writers permission to go ahead and write without judging the end product themselves or worrying about how others will judge what they have...