Accidental Genius summary

Freewriting, despite the name, isn’t just “free writing.” There are rules to follow, so don’t rush headlong into the exercise. It’s important to grasp the three basics.

First, temper your expectations. This will get you out of the starting blocks with ease. It’s called a try easy attitude.

Now you’ve got the basics, let’s look at three more golden rules for freewriting.

First of all, write the way you think.

So, just what is the purpose of freewriting? What is it trying to achieve? Well, for starters, there are some obvious advantages over just mulling things over.

When we think, our minds tend to wander. We get lost in thought. This means there’s a decent chance that great ideas will get lost in the melee and forgotten. However, if you write things down you’ll always have a record of what you thought and can trace your logic back.

When it comes to freewriting, unnecessary complexity is best avoided. Think in terms of melodies rather than symphonies. Keep things simple.

In fact, in freewriting, too much complexity can get you into trouble.

All your life you’ve been told that lying is bad, but that isn’t true with freewriting. Lying is a good way of exploring ideas. Think of it as playing make-believe on a piece of paper.

In freewriting, lying means breaking with reality. You can explore situations which might seem silly or even absurd on initial reflection. But by doing so, you can actively channel your freewriting sessions in new and fecund directions, ending up in unexpected places.

Freewriting sessions are a personal experience. Use them to explore your thoughts and probe your processes. They’re great for discovering fresh ideas and solutions.

However, it's also good to share the results.

Have you ever thought about writing a book?

The rules and techniques used in freewriting can be a great help. You’ll be able to thrash out great brainstorming sessions and solve whatever problems you're facing, but you’ll also accumulate loads of publishable material brimming with your greatest thoughts.