A Brave Writer's Life in Brief

Let’s explore the saying: “Life is full of ups and downs.”

• On a piece of paper, list two or three recent “down” times (for example, when you felt sad or frustrated or scared).
• Then list the same number of “up” experiences (when you felt happy or excited or peaceful).
• Next, cut the statements into separate strips.
• Place the statements in any order you like. For instance, alternating “up, down, up, down” or “down, up, down, up,” or sharing all the “downs” first then all the “ups” (or vice versa).
• Read aloud your string of statements (to help it read more like a story, feel free to insert connecting words like “and,” “but” or “then”).
• Now rearrange them and see how that changes the tone or feel.

New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.

Have you heard the question: what one book would you take with you to a deserted island? Pick your favorite storybook or novel. Now, write from that book’s perspective and have it describe what it would be like to be stuck on an island with YOU.

New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.

What might these birds be chatting about? Write their conversation!

New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.

A “bright idea” can refer to a clever or intelligent plan (“What a bright idea!”), but it also can suggest a plan that’s foolish or silly (“Well, that was a bright idea—ugh!”). What’s the brightest idea that you’ve ever come up with? And use whichever sense you’d like…or both!

New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.

You know how people create a backup for important computer files they don’t want to lose? If a flash drive for the mind’s imagination existed, what favorite memories would you store?

BONUS: pick a memory and retell it in more detail (psst: writing it down is a great way to keep a memory safe!).

New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.