Stream of Consciousness Writing - What it is + why to try it
Stream of consciousness writing is both a style of writing and a form of therapy depending on who you are talking to. Stream of consciousness writing isn't your 7th grade english class' 'free writing' warm up assignment. While similar in the sense that you are 'writing freely' and may even be given a topic, however, there is a difference.
When writing in a stream of consciousness you let go of pretty much everything you know about writing...other than words. Forget sentence structure, forget spelling and grammar all together. For this style of writing it simply doesn't matter. You don't even want to think about what you're writing too much or too long. Just long enough to write down whatever pops into your brain, then on to the next flow of thoughts.
Just let the thoughts and words flow. This is why it's called a 'stream' of consciousness writing. It's literally writing the way that the mind processes its thoughts, flowing from one connection and idea to the next. If you went around writing and talking the way that your brain normally thinks, narrates and makes associations you undoubtedly would be labeled as a frantic, blubbering mess.
The mind, or conscious doesn't recognize this process as nonsense or frantic at all, it is what it is. That's just how the brain works. And your brain is always doing this behind the scenes, at a subconscious level. It's the voice in your head narrating every aspect of your life.
Stream of consciousness writing is a good ‘tool’ to use to craft a story or even just to overcome ‘writers block’. I am a painter by trade and use the same sort of process to get over the fear of the blank canvas. I’ll swiftly, with intention but without hesitation smear some paint onto the canvas. That way I can quickly get over the fear of messing it up.
If you have never done anything like this before, it may seem a little weird or even forceful at first, but stick with it! There are no hard rules on how to do this, but what I normally do is just bust out my favorite journal and writing utensil (a rainbow gel pen) and just start writing. Simple as that.
When I don't know how to get started I'll simply start writing:
And just keep going from there, wherever it may lead. It can also be a lot less structured than that. Sometimes I need to do stream of consciousness writing because I have too much to say, or going on in my mind. So if I just let it all flow out, I can finally start making sense of it. This can look like a lot of random (and misspelled) words and phrases strung together. Or you can just create a list of random thoughts and words swimming around in your brain.
Usually, at first it's weird and awkward getting the stream of consciousness writing going...but eventually, the flood gates (I can't stop with the water metaphors + puns) will open and then my hand can't write as fast as my stream of consciousness is 'flowing'. I personally don't put time limits on these sessions. Sometimes it lasts for just for a few minutes and others half an hour.
Like I said above, most of what I write in a stream of consciousness session isn't copy that I would use anywhere. But it ALWAYS helps me get out of my writing rut. Even if I don't find any inspiration in my free writing itself, it got the juices flowing. It served its purpose. Other times though, I do find that nugget of inspiration in my free writing and am able to use it, even if only a word or short phrase.
Another way to apply stream of consciousness writing is to use it as a tool to 'get inside' a characters head. If you're a writer, or an actor developing a character using stream of consciousness writing will help you understand the character better, making them more human, trying to understand their thought process. (You can also do this in your personal life, with someone who you're trying to better understand. Try to put yourself in their shoes and work through their thought process.)
It's also great to use in story telling. Being able to write in a style that the brain thinks will better show your characters internal dialogue in a realistic way. Obviously, when applying stream of consciousness writing to actual copy you will use somewhere, you need to go back, correcting grammar, spelling and making it sound coherent, at least.
When writing in a stream of consciousness you let go of pretty much everything you know about writing...other than words. Forget sentence structure, forget spelling and grammar all together. For this style of writing it simply doesn't matter. You don't even want to think about what you're writing too much or too long. Just long enough to write down whatever pops into your brain, then on to the next flow of thoughts.
Just let the thoughts and words flow. This is why it's called a 'stream' of consciousness writing. It's literally writing the way that the mind processes its thoughts, flowing from one connection and idea to the next. If you went around writing and talking the way that your brain normally thinks, narrates and makes associations you undoubtedly would be labeled as a frantic, blubbering mess.
The mind, or conscious doesn't recognize this process as nonsense or frantic at all, it is what it is. That's just how the brain works. And your brain is always doing this behind the scenes, at a subconscious level. It's the voice in your head narrating every aspect of your life.
Stream of consciousness writing is a good ‘tool’ to use to craft a story or even just to overcome ‘writers block’. I am a painter by trade and use the same sort of process to get over the fear of the blank canvas. I’ll swiftly, with intention but without hesitation smear some paint onto the canvas. That way I can quickly get over the fear of messing it up.
While being reflective is important in the creative process, be it in writing or in painting, it sometimes can become crippling. Just stop thinking and start creating. Don’t worry about if its ‘good’ or 'makes sense’, this is simply about process, exploration and discovery. Digging out what is often buried in our subconscious. Reaching places within ourselves that our busy mind isn’t always aware of.
As a blogger/writer (whatever you want to call this career) I use this often. Sometimes I get topics to write about that don’t come super natural to me. Using stream consciousness writing helps me figure out what I’m trying to say. Most of what I write during a stream of consciousness writing session won’t be used and that’s totally fine. I just need that one little ‘nugget’ of inspiration to get it going.
Getting Started with Stream of Consciousness Writing
If you have never done anything like this before, it may seem a little weird or even forceful at first, but stick with it! There are no hard rules on how to do this, but what I normally do is just bust out my favorite journal and writing utensil (a rainbow gel pen) and just start writing. Simple as that.
When I don't know how to get started I'll simply start writing:
"I'm sitting down to do some free writing about 'X' and don't really know where to get started...."
And just keep going from there, wherever it may lead. It can also be a lot less structured than that. Sometimes I need to do stream of consciousness writing because I have too much to say, or going on in my mind. So if I just let it all flow out, I can finally start making sense of it. This can look like a lot of random (and misspelled) words and phrases strung together. Or you can just create a list of random thoughts and words swimming around in your brain.
Usually, at first it's weird and awkward getting the stream of consciousness writing going...but eventually, the flood gates (I can't stop with the water metaphors + puns) will open and then my hand can't write as fast as my stream of consciousness is 'flowing'. I personally don't put time limits on these sessions. Sometimes it lasts for just for a few minutes and others half an hour.
Applying Stream of Consciousness Writing to Use
Like I said above, most of what I write in a stream of consciousness session isn't copy that I would use anywhere. But it ALWAYS helps me get out of my writing rut. Even if I don't find any inspiration in my free writing itself, it got the juices flowing. It served its purpose. Other times though, I do find that nugget of inspiration in my free writing and am able to use it, even if only a word or short phrase.
Another way to apply stream of consciousness writing is to use it as a tool to 'get inside' a characters head. If you're a writer, or an actor developing a character using stream of consciousness writing will help you understand the character better, making them more human, trying to understand their thought process. (You can also do this in your personal life, with someone who you're trying to better understand. Try to put yourself in their shoes and work through their thought process.)
It's also great to use in story telling. Being able to write in a style that the brain thinks will better show your characters internal dialogue in a realistic way. Obviously, when applying stream of consciousness writing to actual copy you will use somewhere, you need to go back, correcting grammar, spelling and making it sound coherent, at least.
Aug 15th 2019
