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What is the Purpose of Freewriting?

August 26, 2023 | 2 min read

Unlocking Your Creative Potential with Freewriting

If you’re here, chances are you’re curious about the concept of freewriting. Perhaps you’ve heard the term bandied about in writing workshops or stumbled upon it in productivity blogs. Either way, you’re probably asking: what exactly is the purpose of freewriting, and how can it help me?

 

What is Freewriting?

At its core, freewriting is an unfiltered and non-stop writing practice. You write as quickly as you can, letting your thoughts flow freely onto the page, without worrying about grammar, structure, or even coherence. There are no red pen edits here, no agonizing over word choice. Just you, your thoughts, and an endless blank canvas waiting to be filled.

The Purpose of Freewriting: Unleashing the Benefits

Now let's get to it: what is the purpose of this seemingly chaotic exercise? Why would anyone want to write without any guidelines? Here’s a breakdown:

1. Silencing the Inner Critic

Your inner critic is the voice that tells you your ideas aren’t good enough, or that you should re-write that sentence for the tenth time. Freewriting helps you tune out that nagging voice, allowing your creativity to flow unbridled.

2. Idea Generation

Stuck on a particular plot point in your novel? Not sure how to begin your next article? Freewriting can serve as a brainstorming session, helping you generate a plethora of ideas in a short time.

3. Overcoming Writer’s Block

This is a big one. The act of writing freely and continuously can help you break through the mental barriers that often accompany writer’s block. It’s like a warm-up before a workout; it gets the creative juices flowing.

4. Discovering Your Voice

Freewriting provides a platform for your authentic self to shine through. Because you’re not focused on polishing each sentence, your true voice can emerge, helping you understand your natural writing style.

5. Enhancing Focus and Discipline

Contrary to what one might assume, the process of freewriting can be intense. It requires focus and discipline to write continuously, making it an excellent practice for honing your concentration skills.

6. Emotional Catharsis

Beyond the realm of productivity and skill enhancement, freewriting serves as a therapeutic exercise. It allows you to express your emotions, fears, and hopes in a raw, uncensored fashion, serving as a form of emotional release.

Why Freewrite Tools?

So, how do Freewrite's line of drafting tools fit into all of this?

Our range of devices is designed to foster an environment conducive to freewriting. With a distraction-free interface, long-lasting battery, and a tactile keyboard that’s a joy to use, Freewrite make it easy for you to get into the flow state, making your freewriting sessions even more productive and enjoyable.

 

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The purpose of freewriting is multifaceted, serving both practical and emotional needs. It’s not just about spewing words onto a page, but about liberating your creativity, overcoming blocks, and enriching your writing journey.

So the next time you find yourself staring at a blinking cursor, remember: just start writing. You'll be amazed at where it takes you.

Write on!

September 10, 2025 3 min read

The Freewrite 500 Writing Contest — Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: 10-09-2025

By submitting an entry to The Freewrite 500 Writing Contest (the “Contest”), you agree to abide by the following Terms and Conditions.

1. Organizer

The Contest is organized by Freewrite, a brand owned and operated by Astrohaus, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “Freewrite”, “we”, “our”, or “us”).

2. Eligibility

  • The Contest is open to individuals who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry.

  • Employees of Freewrite, the Flash Fiction Institute, and their immediate families are not eligible to enter.

  • Void where prohibited by law.

3. How to Enter

  • Entries must be submitted through the official entry form before Monday, September 22.

  • Entries must be original works of flash fiction no longer than 500 words.

  • All submissions must be the original work of the entrant.

  • Only one entry per person is allowed.

  • Entries must be written in English.

  • The deadline for submission is 11:59 p.m. EST on September 22, 2025. Late or incomplete entries will not be accepted.

4. Entry Requirements

  • Submissions must be the entrant’s own original work and must not have been previously published, including on personal blogs or social media.

  • Entries must not contain any material that is obscene, offensive, defamatory, or otherwise inappropriate.

  • By entering, you confirm that your submission does not infringe on any third-party rights, including copyright, trademark, or privacy rights.

5. Judging and Winner Selection

  • All eligible entries will be judged by a panel of reviewers affiliated with Freewrite and the Flash Fiction Institute.

  • Judging criteria include length, creativity, and adherence to theme, and overall quality of writing.

  • The winner will be notified via email.

6. Use of Generative AI Prohibited

  • The use of generative AI in the creation of a submission for this competition is prohibited.

  • The organizers reserve the right to disqualify any entry that is suspected to have been generated, in whole or in part, using generative AI tools (including but not limited to text-generating algorithms, large language models, or similar technologies).

7. Prize

  • The winning entry will be published on both the Freewrite Blog and the Flash Fiction Institute Blog.

  • The winner will receive recognition across Freewrite and Flash Fiction Institute's social media platforms.

  • No cash prizes will be offered. Prizes include a Freewrite Traveler, a Words Are Hard writing prompt deck, publication on the Freewrite blog and the Flash Fiction Institute blog, and a free flash gym session hosted by the Flash Fiction Institute.

8. Rights and Usage

  • By entering the contest, entrants grant Freewrite and the Flash Fiction Institute first publication rights. This means Freewrite and the Flash Fiction Institute have a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to publish, reproduce, and distribute the submitted entry in connection with the promotion of the Contest, including on their websites, blogs, email newsletters, social media channels, and more.

  • After initial publication, all rights revert back to the author, who is then free to republish or distribute their work elsewhere. However, we request that any subsequent publication acknowledges Freewrite and the Flash Fiction Institute as the original place of publication.

  • The winning author will be credited by name or preferred pen name when their work is published.

9. Privacy

  • Personal information collected during the entry process will be used only for the administration of the Contest and in accordance with Freewrite’s Privacy Policy.

  • Entrants may be contacted by Freewrite regarding their submission or related opportunities.

10. Disqualification

Freewrite reserves the right to disqualify any entry that:

  • Violates these Terms and Conditions,

  • Is found to contain plagiarized material,

  • Is deemed offensive or inappropriate,

  • Is submitted by someone ineligible.

11. Limitation of Liability

Freewrite is not responsible for:

  • Lost, late, incomplete, or misdirected entries;

  • Technical failures of any kind;

  • Any injury or damage to persons or property related to participation in the Contest.

12. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of [Insert State], without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

13. Contact

For any questions regarding the Contest, please contact us at:
📧 hello@getfreewrite.com.

September 10, 2025 1 min read

One blank page. 500 words. Zero fear. Let’s see what happens when you stop thinking and just go. It's the Freewrite 500, presented in collaboration with the Flash Fiction Institute.

August 22, 2025 3 min read

Most of us are surrounded by screens all day. To get your writing done, take writer Shannon Liao's advice and unplug.