Getting Started. – I’m always looking into improving my writing skills.  This page is on a site I bookmarked long ago, a very friendly way of looking into English composition.  It describes FreeWriting, Clustering, Outlining and more, with examples of each.  It is interesting how topics are discussed, how they become the starting point.

Often I’ll start freewriting without any particular topic.  I just get the pen moving, or the keyboard buzzing.  Letting go is the name of the game.  Judgment, criticism has no place in these efforts.  Even as the words come across, the presence of the critic can be felt, but I keep going.

The freewriting is enjoyable–it helps you get to know yourself pretty well, with journaling and so on.  However, ultimately real development has to take place, direction has to be clarified.  For me, anyway, that’s the biggest challenge.  This site is a great place to start.  I heartily recommend it.