Some people don’t like to write letters, and some people don’t like freewriting. Don’t worry if you’re in that group. Try freelisting—a kind of brainstorming. Let’s say you have to write a report, and you just don’t know where to begin. Sound familiar? Simply list the main topic at the top of a blank sheet of paper. Spray the page with related ideas; don’t worry about their order and, whatever you do, don’t laugh at your own ideas. Some of the wildest ones may end up being the best! Then step back, look at each idea, and copy it on a separate piece of paper or file card. Use that single idea as the basis for some heavy-duty brainstorming. You’ll begin to break down the component ideas and, in a very informal and free way, you’ll be ...
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