I remember

This is the most basic and repeatable of all freewriting prompts.

Simply begin with “I remember” and write continuously and uncritically for ten minutes.  You can write about a distant memory or something that happened just a few minutes ago.  The only rule is to write about something that happened to you in the past.

You don’t even have to stick to this rule, you are free to write anything at all as long as you don’t stop writing for ten minutes.

If you are stuck just repeat writing “I remember” until something occurs to you.

Tea with Heathcliff

In a ten-minute freewrite, imagine sharing a drink with a fictional literary character: what do you say to each other? what are you both wearing? what is the drink? where is this happening? when is this happening? 

If you are a novelist or short-story writer with work in progress, then why not go for a drink with one of your own characters?  Having the chance to meet them informally could help no end.

As ever, though, don’t be constrained by the prompt, and always follow your pen/mind where it wishes to go.  If you set off to have tea with Jane Eyre and meet your sister instead, that’s fine.  Equally, if in Thornfield Hall or the Rivers’ house, you spy someone more interesting than Jane and begin inventing them on the spot, then by all means switch seats and have a chat with them instead.

And you don’t have to meet with a character, it could be an author (dead ones will give you more leeway for imagination).  For instance, it might be fun to get drunk with Hemingway!

Under the Sea

For this freeewrite you are magically able to breathe underwater.  Dive down and swim to the bottom of the sea (or a lake or a river) and describe what you see.

Not only can you open your eyes with ease, you also have perfect hearing: what sounds are there down there?  Reaching out your hands, what are the textures like?

Anything at all might be lying on the seabed, maybe you will even discover the lost city of Atlantis and if you do, be sure to describe the streets and buildings and the strange sea creatures that now live there.