Ok, the first time I watched this, I thought it was a bunch of crazy talk. I went ahead and tried it because this wasn't the first time I heard about free writing. Now I wish I had tried it years ago. It is cool how the nuggets start dropping out!
I don't know if my teacher got this technique from the book, but I most definitely did this technique in one of my AP English classes in high school. I had forgotten about it until now though as I have only used it several times since then. I don't think it would bode well with college papers since most students don't 'fill up' beforehand so this would most likely yield just a string of characters for the procrastinating insomniacs of the world, lol
Hi everyone I just tried this writing. I found it lets you put keys points down mostly for me atleast. I am no way a writer. In fact I put Ed on after I listened and used his video as a timer since I am camping right now and didn't have a timer with me or my cell. Its was fun I can not wait till I see tomorrows lession. An Ed I to hate and can not spell. Have fun at the convention this weekend.
Just tried this for the first time. It was one of the more "significant" experiences of my life. After only a few seconds I instinctively closed my eyes as I typed. My consciousness lightly wandered through creative planes, every now and then guiding my subconscious back on topic as it automatically poured out information and insight. Me? I am one of those writers. But what I just did in ten minutes would normally take three hours, and hurt my brain instead of vitalise it like this just did.
Ed you ROCK! Just tried this, thinking it was all BS, but I totally flowed for ten minutes and it was actually fun. I can't believe I'm actually LOOKING FORWARD to doing this again instead of dreading it! THANK YOU!
Ed you ROCK! Just tried this, thinking it was all BS, but I totally flowed for ten minutes and it was actually fun. I can't believe I'm actually LOOKING FORWARD to doing this again instead of dreading it! THANK YOU!
Thanks so much for this Ed! I'm a writer, and I've been suffering from a serious case of writer's block- you have given me the push to carry on and get back to writing!
Hi Ed! Thank you for your advice. I am going to give this a try. I admit that I am one of those people who edits while I write. It sounds like this will work!
When he talks about putting the paper (or word file) away and not looking at it until the next day...or else he'll find out and come get you...I'm reminded of the family guy skit with Bob Ross and "If you tell anyone else about that bush I will come to your house and I will cut you!"
Hello Ed, this is really helpful. I followed the previous challenge, but only this little thing alone will help my so fr***ing much thanks again. Also funny that levylnnovation just saw this one part and heard about his book. I had to quit my fist blog, because I had no success. But true the challenge I started again, and I have doubled my stream of visitors this month. Thanks Ed.
I purchased the second edition and just finished reading through the bok for the first time. Thank you for telling us about this great book. In case Mark comes back in here thank you Mark Levy for your great work.
This is a book everyone should have in their collection if they are going to be writing anything.
Here's another great timer to stop your work. Just in case you don't have a fancy iPhone ;-) Go to Google and type "egg timer" then search. This thing is awesome!
This is totally tool. I actually made my 13 yr old creative genius sit down and watch it with me and she is so thrilled and already said that she will be doing this at school and on her blog that she is setting up.
@xaccura I have been working online for over two years and I've done the 30 Day Challenge before. ANYONE has the right to question the teacher; it's one of the big things I was taught during college.
And maybe you should learn to read before you write. I very clearly said I like the 30 Day Challenge. To critique something so small as video length in no way makes it a complaint. To think that anyone who provides a critique of something is ignorant, is in fact ignorant in itself.
@ pretty evil ... are you qualified to question your teacher?... either learn or dont... but complaining about this FREE training that they are providing is both selfish and ignorant !
I like the thirty day challenge, but some of these videos are way longer than they need to be. This one could have been condensed into five minutes or less.
I used to teach free writing to teenagers when I was a secondary English teacher in London. My students loved it! Free writing is a very liberating way to write.
Ed, I'm honored that my book, "Accidental Genius," made such a difference in your career. I loved the way you explained the technique of freewriting. As you point out, during a session of freewriting it's especially important to write a bit faster than normal; that way, the writer gets a kind of mechanical leverage over their internal editor, so that the thoughts that start appearing on the page are honest and unusual. As Ray Bradbury says, "In quickness there is truth."
Just finished writing 412 words. My goal for ezine articles and blog posts is 500 words, so I was surprised to see how many words I could write in 10 minutes. Usually, it takes me 60 minutes to finish an article. I look forward to seeing how this technique can help me shorten that time. Thanks, Ed!
If anyone needs a timer I made one years ago called MiniAlarm. it is available to download and use free. By coincidence it contains an add for writing software but you won't need that as Ed's method will have you writing like a pro.
The 10 minutes went by faster than I thought they would. And I think a key thing here is at the end, the alarm should be a song that inspires you or makes you feel good. Because if you link the positive emotion to finishing a session of free writing, you are more likely to do it.
Damn, I even misspelled title of my first article, I was that nervouse :D Just saved and waiting for the next day
Mysterion28 4 months ago
Ok, the first time I watched this, I thought it was a bunch of crazy talk. I went ahead and tried it because this wasn't the first time I heard about free writing. Now I wish I had tried it years ago. It is cool how the nuggets start dropping out!
jeffrichley 4 months ago
I really appreciate how you folks dispense your knowledge....... so easy to understand and grasp
Blaiserboy 7 months ago
I don't know if my teacher got this technique from the book, but I most definitely did this technique in one of my AP English classes in high school. I had forgotten about it until now though as I have only used it several times since then. I don't think it would bode well with college papers since most students don't 'fill up' beforehand so this would most likely yield just a string of characters for the procrastinating insomniacs of the world, lol
DeviouslySweet 9 months ago
This guy is really awesome, especially in this lesson, which by the way....ROCKZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have written before and I must say that this technique is very promising.
He also makes the lesson very relatable and easy to understand, with a few extra nips of humor that always add another dimension.
I enjoyed his little comment: "I swear, I'll find out and I'll come and get you..." ROFL
The comment is at 11:32 or so and is another great marker for how well this guy is.
MrDanielBM 1 year ago
This guy is really awesome, especially in this lesson, which by the way....ROCKZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have written before and I must say that this technique is very promising.
He also makes the lesson very relatable and easy to understand, with a few extra nips of humor that always add another dimension.
I enjoyed his little comment: "I swear, I'll find out and I'll come and get you..." ROFL
The comment is at 11:32 or so and is another great marker for how well this guy is.
MrDanielBM 1 year ago
Hi everyone I just tried this writing. I found it lets you put keys points down mostly for me atleast. I am no way a writer. In fact I put Ed on after I listened and used his video as a timer since I am camping right now and didn't have a timer with me or my cell. Its was fun I can not wait till I see tomorrows lession. An Ed I to hate and can not spell. Have fun at the convention this weekend.
CashingInOnChristmas 1 year ago
Just tried this for the first time. It was one of the more "significant" experiences of my life. After only a few seconds I instinctively closed my eyes as I typed. My consciousness lightly wandered through creative planes, every now and then guiding my subconscious back on topic as it automatically poured out information and insight. Me? I am one of those writers. But what I just did in ten minutes would normally take three hours, and hurt my brain instead of vitalise it like this just did.
wheezer6au 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Ed you ROCK! Just tried this, thinking it was all BS, but I totally flowed for ten minutes and it was actually fun. I can't believe I'm actually LOOKING FORWARD to doing this again instead of dreading it! THANK YOU!
jraby3 1 year ago
Ed you ROCK! Just tried this, thinking it was all BS, but I totally flowed for ten minutes and it was actually fun. I can't believe I'm actually LOOKING FORWARD to doing this again instead of dreading it! THANK YOU!
jraby3 1 year ago
Thanks so much for this Ed! I'm a writer, and I've been suffering from a serious case of writer's block- you have given me the push to carry on and get back to writing!
rachelhardy123 1 year ago
aaaawh, Ed you are so good in explaining it all in a fun way! very motivating!!Thanks
sandraussie 1 year ago
Hi Ed! Thank you for your advice. I am going to give this a try. I admit that I am one of those people who edits while I write. It sounds like this will work!
Betdav1 1 year ago
great lesson!!!!!!!!!!!
henhen102 1 year ago
When he talks about putting the paper (or word file) away and not looking at it until the next day...or else he'll find out and come get you...I'm reminded of the family guy skit with Bob Ross and "If you tell anyone else about that bush I will come to your house and I will cut you!"
NicholusGarcia 1 year ago 2
@NicholusGarcia "Now we're just gonna put that little bush just down there... just there. And that will just be our little secret......."
wheezer6au 1 year ago
Hello Ed, this is really helpful. I followed the previous challenge, but only this little thing alone will help my so fr***ing much thanks again. Also funny that levylnnovation just saw this one part and heard about his book. I had to quit my fist blog, because I had no success. But true the challenge I started again, and I have doubled my stream of visitors this month. Thanks Ed.
martino4676 1 year ago
Ed,
I purchased the second edition and just finished reading through the bok for the first time. Thank you for telling us about this great book. In case Mark comes back in here thank you Mark Levy for your great work.
This is a book everyone should have in their collection if they are going to be writing anything.
Thanks again,
Ernie Hodge
Airsled10 1 year ago
Oops, I think I have been publishing unedited free writing online... This is really interesting and on to the next :)
llmunchkin 1 year ago
I have used this timer for years for various activities
online-stopwatch
mcclurecentral 1 year ago
Fantastic lesson, thanks Ed!
loui0008 1 year ago
Here's another great timer to stop your work. Just in case you don't have a fancy iPhone ;-) Go to Google and type "egg timer" then search. This thing is awesome!
renderfarmerstudios 1 year ago
This is totally tool. I actually made my 13 yr old creative genius sit down and watch it with me and she is so thrilled and already said that she will be doing this at school and on her blog that she is setting up.
RebeccaHappy 1 year ago
@xaccura I have been working online for over two years and I've done the 30 Day Challenge before. ANYONE has the right to question the teacher; it's one of the big things I was taught during college.
And maybe you should learn to read before you write. I very clearly said I like the 30 Day Challenge. To critique something so small as video length in no way makes it a complaint. To think that anyone who provides a critique of something is ignorant, is in fact ignorant in itself.
prettyevil6662000 1 year ago
Wrote 400 words in ten minutes! :)
toztigger 1 year ago
Ed Says don't edit and write at the same time. Sounds like good advice, doesn't it?
Give yourself permission to be really bad at writing.
1webfan 1 year ago
@ pretty evil ... are you qualified to question your teacher?... either learn or dont... but complaining about this FREE training that they are providing is both selfish and ignorant !
xaccura 1 year ago
I like the thirty day challenge, but some of these videos are way longer than they need to be. This one could have been condensed into five minutes or less.
prettyevil6662000 1 year ago
I used to teach free writing to teenagers when I was a secondary English teacher in London. My students loved it! Free writing is a very liberating way to write.
maggiemidgettoes 1 year ago
Ok - I did it! And I really love this system.
Not so much though after the first article.
Then I turned off my monitor and that made all the difference!
And I did two more articles and wow - easy and fun!
And I write a lot - this was really a game changer for me.
Thanks Ed - again!
sandraepro 1 year ago
@Islinger - perfect timing, I was just getting ready to write! Downloaded the app and am ready to go. Thanks!
sandraepro 1 year ago
Ed, I'm honored that my book, "Accidental Genius," made such a difference in your career. I loved the way you explained the technique of freewriting. As you point out, during a session of freewriting it's especially important to write a bit faster than normal; that way, the writer gets a kind of mechanical leverage over their internal editor, so that the thoughts that start appearing on the page are honest and unusual. As Ray Bradbury says, "In quickness there is truth."
Again, thank you.
LevyInnovation 1 year ago 15
cheers Ed,
TouringReality 1 year ago
Should I read the new addition of Accidental Genius? Its under 200 pages and I can enjoy that over the weekend.
llonden2kx 1 year ago
Stop after 10 min when I'm on a roll? Don't edit as I write? Don't look at it for a day?
Ok, I can do this...
deep breath...
So, what timer app do you recommend?
sandraepro 1 year ago
@sandraepro egg timer
lslinger 1 year ago
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail Again. Fail Better.
albergsantjordi 1 year ago
arsenal fan!!!!
good man!!
jaxxbizkit 1 year ago
Simple, Awesome & Works!
VitalyMakarkin 1 year ago
Just finished writing 412 words. My goal for ezine articles and blog posts is 500 words, so I was surprised to see how many words I could write in 10 minutes. Usually, it takes me 60 minutes to finish an article. I look forward to seeing how this technique can help me shorten that time. Thanks, Ed!
Phil Johncock
PhilJohncock 1 year ago
They teach this in university level English. It DOES work!
raradra 1 year ago
If anyone needs a timer I made one years ago called MiniAlarm. it is available to download and use free. By coincidence it contains an add for writing software but you won't need that as Ed's method will have you writing like a pro.
wilsz 1 year ago
As I was watching this I was thinking, "this is a stupid idea, this will never work", "This is only good for non technical niches"...yadayada.
I tried it and it works and I'm amazed.
Damn it !!!
Um, Thanks Ed.
What this does is get you feeling your way into the content and you can put the tech stuff in after.
Superb.
:-)
NatureCureTube 1 year ago
added this to Facebook and Twitter very good Ed
anniekingi 1 year ago
The 10 minutes went by faster than I thought they would. And I think a key thing here is at the end, the alarm should be a song that inspires you or makes you feel good. Because if you link the positive emotion to finishing a session of free writing, you are more likely to do it.
merlikfelnor 1 year ago
Nice job, Ed. Love your style of teaching and helping people through the process.
AmyBoyack 1 year ago