Freewrite No. 1

A quick explanation of what a "freewrite" is... Put pen to paper and don't stop for five minutes. Even if you have nothing to write, write that you don't have anything to write about! Eventually something else will come out. In this one, I started with an idea of what I wanted to say before I actually put pencil to paper, but that doesn't matter. Freewriting is like the beginning step in writing for the purpose of someone else's reading. After you've done several freewrites, you can choose one to revise, research, and hopefully publish in some way. I'm going to just show you my freewrite without any revision. I admit I purposely used regular old handwriting because I pause too much to think about what I want to say when I type. Anyway, that's enough explanation for now and so here is my freewrite!

We just went to a homeschool conference this past weekend. It was "APACHE." It was a lot of fun, as always, and very informational and encouraging. I knew the subjects I needed to find material for, and was able to find almost everything I was looking for. The words you're reading are a product of what I learned at one of the seminars on writing, and since I want to get back to writing more, I've decided to adapt it for myself. (In case you're curious, the program is called "Brave Writer." It's a totally cool way of approaching writing and since my son is what some would term a "reluctant writer," I think (and hope) it will work for him. Perhaps I'll explain more in a later post.

End of freewrite.

You know, there's so much I could share from my experiences at the homeschool convention. I probably could do several posts on just that subject, and I may, but for right now, as is obvious by the lack of posting on a regular basis on this blog, my focus is just to write something. I hope you'll join me on my journey. I plan to include goings-on in my life, my personal spiritual growth, things I'm learning, and hopefully my experiences with writing. When I was in high school, my English teacher gave me an award with an exceptional, unbelievable comment in front of the whole school about my writing, and I've always felt guilty about not using what could be a gift. I actually feel it quite often, and especially when I see my dear English teacher around town, though he never has anything less than a smile for me. I wonder if I'm missing out on the development of a God-given talent by not using it and I don't want to be in that kind of position with my Lord. I want to serve Him always and in everything. I want to please Him, to do what He wants me to do. I pray God will use my writing and develop it in me to something that gives Him glory, if it's His will.

Again, thanks for stopping by!


Copywrite April 2, 2009, by Shannon Stambaugh. If you wish to use any of my writing in part or in total, you must request permission.