Unlocking Creativity: The Power of Timed Writing
Timed Writing is just what it sounds like. You set a timer, and you write.
I began using timed writing many years ago when I found Natalie Goldberg’s "Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within."
I LOVE THIS BOOK.
It helped take my desire to write and gave me permission and a way to start writing.
From Natalie’s introduction:
“This book is about writing. It is also about using writing as your practice, as a way to help you penetrate your life and become sane. What is said here about writing can be applied to running, painting, and anything you love and have chosen to work with in your life.”
My paperback copy has more notes and highlights from years of referencing and rereading it. I just ordered a Kindle version because I enjoy reading on my phone and iPad and having great resources wherever I go. From Natalie, I learned to set a timer, put pen to paper, and write until the timer goes off. That’s it: Set the timer, write, and stop when it rings. I also learned many beautiful things about writing, life, and myself.
Timed Writing is terrifying and freeing at the same time.
The blank page is terrifying. You look at it. You think. You might type or put pen to paper, then hit delete, cross out, type or write some more, and stare at the blankness. If you’re a writer, you know what I’m saying. When you do write, you judge it. This is terrible. How am I supposed to write anything good in such a short time?
There comes the freedom of timed writing. You’re not expected to write anything good. There is no time to think. You are not supposed to think. You are supposed put pen to paper and allow the words to flow through you onto the page. Anything you write is perfect. Don’t worry about punctuation or misspelled words; keep writing, and do not stop until the timer rings. You are not writing to produce a product or finished piece. You are clearing the cobwebs so that you can get to your writing. It removes the fear of the blank page and gets you out of your head and into the goods. It’s like lubricating your writing joints.
Another reason I am fond of timed writing is that it reinforces the concept of creation for the process, not the end product. The purpose of timed writing is not to produce a perfect piece. It's an exercise to get your thoughts on paper without censoring them, and this is freeing.
I took timed writing to another level when I discovered Julia Cameron. This book is a course in discovering and recovering your creative self. She suggests morning pages every day.
Upon waking, open your journal and write until you’ve covered three pages. Write anything. Whatever comes to mind. If you have nothing to say, write, "I have nothing to say," repeatedly until the words begin to flow and cover three pages.
I adopted this in 2014, and it has been the best thing for me. It is within my morning pages ritual that I discover so much that has nothing to do and everything to do with my writing and where I am in my life. This is a place of freedom. This is where you dump everything that you hold onto. This is where you question what you need. This is where you write crap. It doesn’t matter. It’s not about what you produce. It’s the ritual process, showing up to your pages, showing up for yourself. Let those pages lead and guide you.
USING PROMPTS WITH TIMED WRITING.
I enjoy using prompts with timed writing, taking random words, setting the timer, and writing until it stops. It can be daunting at first. I critiqued everything initially. I also began to see that I was harsh on myself in other areas too. I persisted because I started to notice a pattern in what I wrote, which helped me see a pattern in my life. Whenever I feel stuck in my writing, I grab a prompt, set the timer, and write. It works like a charm every time.
In 2021, I taught creative painting and writing classes at a local shop. What started as a monthly creative writing workshop evolved into a weekly writing group named The Writing Salon. Week after week, we ended our session with time writing using prompts. I was amazed at how our writing improved. We generated new ideas, and overall, we became better writers. That’s because it forces the brain to work in non-linear, really creative ways when the three prompts are “purple,” “dog,” and “sunflower,” or any unrelated words.
In The Writing Salon, we read aloud what we have written. Initially, we were all vulnerable when sharing our writing, yet having supportive listeners helped grow our confidence. What’s impressive is how different each of us writes and what we create in five or ten minutes. We also enjoy much laughter.
Timed writing is playful, fun, silly, and profound; wherever you are, your timed writing will reflect that to you. It is super fun to explore and play this way. Timed writing allows you to write anything without judgment or criticism. I love this feeling of freedom and learning acceptance.
Even if you have no desire to write a novel or anything else, timed writing offers a rewarding experience. For writers, these exercises are powerful. You don't have to share your work. Please do it for yourself. That's what any creative act is about. You do it for yourself to express, release, explore, and, most likely, surprise yourself.
There are several approaches to this, so let's explore and play!
COLOR
Choose any color, set the timer, and write.
Another idea is to combine a color with something else. Here are some ideas to get you started.
RED and SCENT
ORANGE and SKY
PURPLE and CHILDREN
Three Random Words
Choose three random words; the more random and unrelated, the better: Start with these
UGLY, LAPTOP, HUNGRY
PERSIMMON, LAKE, PHOTOGRAPH
GUITAR, OCEAN, WINDOW
CREATE YOUR OWN BOWL OF WORDS
Make a list of random words on separate pieces of paper, fold them up, and put them in a bowl. Select three, set the timer, and write. My 9-year-old granddaughter and I did this one afternoon. She enjoyed it so much that after we emptied the bowl, we put them back in and then made new words for the bowl. We did this several times. She began a story with these prompts and has continued to work on her story! I have an idea for a character in my next book from it.
RANDOM PAGES IN BOOKS
Open a book to any page and randomly put your finger on the page. Use that word or sentence as a prompt for timed writing.
ORACLE CARDS
If you have decks of Oracle Cards, these are also great prompts for timed writing. Randomly select three cards, and those become your prompts.
WRITING CARD DECKS
60 Cards to Free the Writer Within
I just ordered this deck and can’t wait until it arrives!
Six trillion stories in one little box. Which one will you tell?
We often use the cards from this box in The Writing Salon. Our imaginative juices start flowing.
I’m using it to help craft the characters for my next novel. So much fun!
USE YOUR IMAGINATION
These are just a few ideas; use your imagination to create your writing prompts. Mix it up. Try them all. The possibilities are limitless.
So grab your journal, choose some words, set the timer, and write!
