Write it Now or Lose it Forever: Free-Writing as Pre-Writing

Before criticism, concern, cohesion, cohesiveness, concision, correctness or congruence, comes free-writing.

It is a stream of nearly-naked consciousness clapped roughly together in loosely bound words.

Write whatever comes to mind, even if it's 'I don't know what to write.'

Think but don't overthink; any stimulus from the environment you notice can be written down. 

Write with a loose hand. No death grip!

Write your feelings, even what you last ate. Every thought is valid at this stage merely because you think it.

Essay, journal, report, story, poem, anything goes.

Write only forward, never back, erase nothing, read nothing. start a new paragraph any time you feel like it, especially with a new train of thought.

Underline, circle, draw an arrow, anything goes! Write your plans for the day, the weekend, anything goes!

The only rule is to put one word in front of another.

Write fast or slow. telegraphic or run-on sentences punctuated by fragments. Just drain the brain. Get everything out here on the page where you can work with it.

Finally, before reading, let your words settle. A day is preferred by many but trust you will find your time.

Night Machines

They used an easy cipher requiring only card stock and a knowledge of 80s American family sitcoms. It was so simple the first lead investigator was too late for them but their connection was early so they caught it.

The investigators knew their business. Their last known address was a tourist motel across the street from a gothic cathedral.

An accomplice rode their torpedo motorcycle from the scene.

Philip (number 11: the Florist) investigated. the singular lead to their whereabouts was a parking ticket but the plates came up stolen two nights ago from a caterpillar scooter.

The plates smelled of coriander leaves and burnt honey. It was on the tip of a fleeting memory, caramelised onions and sharp chutney on the tongue.

In time, it would rise.