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Freewrite Stories: How Author Ivo Senden Finished His Novel on a Freewrite, Pt. 2

May 11, 2017 | 3 min read

This is the continuation of the Ivo Senden Freewrite Story, click here for Part 1

 

"It feels amazing on warm summer days to go outside, sit in the sun and the fresh air and type away. The keyboard has improved my writing speed, the distraction-free device has improved my concentration on the manuscript, and somehow it just feels wonderful to be using a beautiful, dedicated device purely for the purpose of writing." – Ivo Senden

Senden is credited with publishing the first book written partially on the Freewrite. For him, the features of the Freewrite have created a huge boost in both productivity and mood surrounding his writing. The E Ink screen is easy on his eyes, and the design of mechanical keyboard provides comfort during times when he finds flow. These were two facts that were not lost on Senden while he was researching the features of the Freewrite. He was excited to learn that the device is the only one of its kind that has an E Ink screen allowing for readability at any angle and in bright light. Senden says, "Even before I became aware of the advantages of the mechanical keyboard and the non-distraction architecture of the device, the screen alone convinced me to order a Freewrite. "

Alongside his decision to purchase the device, Senden found the Freewrite Community forum to be a particularly helpful source of information for his writing process. For him, the process of preparing to write includes a detailed outline, note taking, and intense editing which he used to do in Word. However, during his first hour of visiting the Freewrite Community Forum, he was able to interact with other writers allowing him to discover better tools to manage his content during the laborious development process.

Because the Freewrite has ergonomic features and limits the ability to get lost in social media, or other online distractions, the device allows users to write in a way that enables them to enter flow. At the end of each of his power sessions, Senden can sync his draft from cloud storage to another application for editing purposes, such as his favorite content management tool. The ability to do the bulk of his writing on the Freewrite means less time he has to spend tied to an uncomfortable laptop with short battery life.

Most importantly Senden says, "It feels amazing on warm summer days to go outside, sit in the sun and the fresh air and type away. The keyboard has improved my writing speed, the distraction-free device has improved my concentration on the manuscript, and somehow it just feels wonderful to be using a beautiful, dedicated device purely for the purpose of writing."

Simply a choice of writing location can be critical to the process of writing and to a writer's ability to achieve that all important flow. As we have learned from Senden, writing outdoors was not an option before he purchased the Freewrite. He would find himself sitting inside on his couch on a warm and sunny day. Meaning for him, a choice between work or enjoying all that a beautiful day has to offer. Now thanks to the Freewrite, he can do both which in and of itself boosts mood and creativity. Senden says, "For me, the Freewrite was the answer to my prayers for an E Ink writing device, and its magnificent keyboard was more than a huge bonus."

Ivo on His Typewriter Restoration Hobby

"The beautiful typewriter you see is 98 years old. I tracked it back to a Dutch constable who used it as early as 1919 to write his police reports. I restored it, managed to find new ink ribbons and actually even used it briefly while I was waiting for my Freewrite to arrive. You can imagine my next door neighbors weren't all too happy with some of my late night writing sessions, hacking away on this antique, mechanical monstrosity. I know for a fact that they love the Freewrite as much as I do."

 

July 30, 2026 2 min read

PRESENTED IN COLLABORATION WITH

Calling all micro-fiction storytellers! 🏁

For the second year in a row, Freewrite is teaming up with Grant Faulkner, co-founder of the Flash Fiction Institute and author of The Art of Brevity, to bring you the fastest, most adrenaline-pumping writing event of the year.

Whether you're a seasoned writer or a creative rookie, the Freewrite 500 is your chance to rev up your imagination, write a 500-word story, and win big.

You do not need to own a Freewrite to participate.

 


Can't view the form? Email us at hello@getfreewrite.com with your name and email address to register.

 

How It Works

🎟️ Fill out the form above to secure your spot. It's totally free. (You must register to participate.)

📖 Join us for a free mini flash fiction lesson by Grant Faulkner at 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 13.

⏱️ At the lesson, we'll announce the prompt for the competition and jump into a community writing sprint to get the creative juices flowing.

🔁 Those who can't make it live can watch the replayand submit before the deadline.

📝 You'll have the weekend to finish and submit your 500-word storybased on the prompt by end of day on Monday, August 17.

✏️ Our judging panel, led by Faulkner and made up of writers from the Freewrite team and the Flash Fiction Institute, will judge each piece based on: length (500 words), relevance to the prompt, and creativity.

🥇 NEW THIS YEAR: The panel will select three finalists, and then announce one grand prize winner.

All work must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, August 17.

The Prize Pack

One winner will receive:

  • Publication on the Freewrite blog and Flash Fiction Institute blog
  • 1 Freewrite Traveler
  • 1 hour-long one-on-one coaching session with Grant Faulkner
  • 1 free Flash Gym session with the Flash Fiction Institute
  • 1 Words Are Hard prompt deck
  • A paperback copy of Set Your Story Free, the ultimate guide to freewriting
  • A digital copy of the opening chapter of Grant Faulkner's book, The Art of Brevity

Second and third place writers will each receive:

  • Publication on the Freewrite blog and Flash Fiction Institute blog
  • 1 Freewrite Alpha
  • 1 free Flash Gym session with the Flash Fiction Institute
  • Words Are Hard prompt deck
  • A paperback copy of Set Your Story Free, the ultimate guide to freewriting
  • A digital copy of the opening chapter of Grant Faulkner's book, The Art of Brevity

The Schedule

  • Thursday, Aug 13: Lesson & prompt announcement
  • Monday, Aug 17: Submissions deadline
  • Monday, Aug 31: Finalists announced
  • Monday, September 7: Grand prize winner announced

Questions? You can reach us at hello@getfreewrite.com.

Write on.

The Freewrite 500 Pit Crew 🏁 

Full contest terms and conditions

July 29, 2026 1 min read

Scroll down for the answer key.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short answer: Anything!

July 21, 2026 2 min read

We're thrilled to introduce you to the winner of our Journey to a BillIon Words Giveaway: author P.L. McMillan.