How to use a cluster.
I wanted to show how useful a cluster can be, so I wrote two short paragraphs. One is a simple freewrite around the topic of forests that I made before I created my cluster. The second example is one that I made after creating the cluster. It provides a clear example of how having your thoughts laid out can help improve your first draft.
Freewrite
I enjoy walking through forests, depending on whether or not I have company. If I am walking my dog I love a good long stroll; if I am alone, I find them rather scary. To glance up at the sky and see the branches reaching above me, sometimes I’m afraid the trees will fall, sometimes I imagine them stretching out their arms to capture me. But it’s never like that when I’m with my dog; I never have to worry about being afraid, I know he will protect me from my invisible fears at a moments notice. I guess I have an overactive imagination; I guess that’s why I’m a writer.
Freewrite guided by cluster
I walked along the forest floor, stepping over the roots that were woven so delicately together, everything was connected, it was like a network a support group. It made me miss home, miss my family around me. It’s hard to stay upright when you feel uprooted; it’s hard to feel grounded without your family nearby. I glance at the leaves falling off of the branches, and I am aware of how lonely they are when they leave their home. Floating away from everything they know, forgetting who they are and where they come from, destined to die alone. I think I should visit my family.
Clustering helps writers take in everything that they actually know about the topic
and not just what they think they want to write about.
It’s a great way of helping you come to grips with elements that you want to introduce into your story and is helpful in most forms of writing. This technique is
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useful if you’ve been given a topic that you’re unsure about or just want to figure
out the truth behind what you’re saying and where that connection comes from.
Obviously, you won’t use everything in your cluster, so feel free to highlight what interests you and discard what doesn’t.
Clusters give you the freedom to decide what you really want to write about after you’ve determined all end results. I hope this information helps you to improve
your freewriting and build your writing habit. As always, I cannot wait to see you on the bookshelf.
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