Sometimes called stream of consciousness writing, free writing is a way to clear your mind of clutter. If you keep at it long enough, some pretty interesting stuff will emerge through your free writes. Yes, it’s yet another way to tap into your creativity. If you can stop your conscious thinking and let the words flow, you’ll be amazed at the creative stew that is brewing just beneath the surface. You can do straight free writing or try guided free writing in which you focus on a specific word, image, or topic. It’s a great way to hash out conversations with your characters, accumulate raw material that can later be harvested for poems, and brainstorm for just about any writing project that you’re planning or working on.