While it’s all too easy for some folks to get caught up in exercises such that they distract from writing, when used carefully and well they’re very useful. Having an exercise to respond to can inspire you and prompt you to think in ways you might not have otherwise. Free-writing and knowing that your exercise won’t be judged can loosen up your creativity in ways that don’t happen when you’re worrying about what people will think.

For more thoughts on using writing exercises, check out the posts on How to use writing exercises… and how not to use them, and How to free-write.

This blog is maintained by Heather, whose miscellaneous thoughts can be found at Errant Thoughts. She used to work as a freelance writer in the roleplaying industry and now writes for the web, primarily reviewing books and kitchenware. She also designs T-shirts.

Huge thanks go to the wonderful photographer payalmadhu for taking the photograph we used in the header and making it available for royalty-free usage.