Free writing rules
- Make sure you won’t be interrupted
- Decide how much or how long you will write (e.g. 3 pages or 10 mins)
- Keep your hand moving.
- Don’t pause to reread.
- Don’t cross out.
- Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation and grammar.
- Don’t think. Don’t get logical.
- Write only for yourself.
- Go for the jugular.
From The Artists Way by Julia Cameron
“Put simply, the morning pages are three pages of longhand writing, strictly stream-of-consciousness: “Oh, god, another morning. I have NOTHING to say. I need to wash the curtains. Did I get my laundry yesterday? Blah, blah, blah….” There is no wrong way to do morning pages. Pages are meant to be, simply, the act of moving the hand across the page and writing down whatever comes to mind. Nothing is too petty, too silly, too stupid, or too weird to be included. The morning pages are not supposed to sound smart – although sometimes they might. Most times they won’t and nobody will ever know except you. Nobody is allowed to read your morning pages except you. And you shouldn’t even read them yourself for the first eight weeks or so. Just write three pages. Morning pages are non-negotiable. Never skip or skimp on morning pages. Your mood doesn’t matter. Three pages of whatever crosses your mind – that’s all there is to it. If you can’t think of anything to write, then write, “I can’t think of anything to write…” do this until you have filled three pages. Do anything until you have filled three pages. Anyone who faithfully writes morning pages will be led to a connection with a source of wisdom within.”