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Intuitive Writing - Going to the Source


      This is fun!

      Call it stream of consciousness, free-intuitive writing, flow writing, free association, automatic writing, spontaneous writing or intuitive writing, it is a technique that will take you on a wild mouse ride of your subconscious where your least guarded, most open voice resides.

      The technique first gained popularity during the surrealist movement in Paris in the 20s with André Breton and his crowd. Since then creative writers, therapists, teachers and others have used it as a method to access the deep recesses of the subconscious. Some recommend it for unblocking stuck writing. I like it because it can surprise and delight with fresh words and images, and because it is so often funny -- sometimes downright silly -- and almost always rhythmic and original. This is the method I think the Creator used to bring forth the flora and fauna of our earth.

      It's a simple technique. Here's how Breton instructed us:
"Attain the most passive or receptive state of mind possible. Forget your genius, your talents, and those of everyone else… Write quickly with no preconceived subject, so quickly that you retain nothing and are not tempted to reread. Continue as long as you please."
      (I love that last sentence. It always makes me think of an exercise or cooking instruction.)

      Here's what you do: Find a comfortable place to sit and settle into your seat with a few deep breaths. Maybe roll your shoulders to loosen any kinks, flex and unflex your hands. Close your eyes for a moment if you want and ground yourself physically. When you feel ready, just pick up your pen and let 'er fly.

      For the next 5 or 10 or 15 minutes, don't stop writing, don't think or cross out words, don't imagine what you'll write next or reread what you've written. Just move the pen, one word to the next. If you feel stuck, keep your pen moving anyhow. Some people simply make loops to keep going, others write their last word over and over again until the next image appears. You don't have to use punctuation. It wouldn't help much anyhow since you probably won't write in complete sentences. But you may. It doesn't matter. Nothing matters except to keep the pen moving. Go fast as you want. Find a rhythm that will keep the pen moving but doesn't give you hand cramps. Remember to breathe. Stop when you feel finished. (I've never been able to sustain intuitive writing for more than 15 minutes or so. But that's just me. You'll feel when it's time to stop.)

      Always read your writing out loud after you've finished. You'll hear the rhythms and feel your response to certain images that won't happen if you read silently. Besides, it's so much fun to hear the words your intuitive voice came up with.

      Spontaneous or intuitive writing is not the same as free-writing. In free-writing, you stay focused on the topic, following the natural flow of it, like water in a stream. In spontaneous writing you jump from thought to thought, catching in words whatever image appears, then leaping onto the next without regret for the one that has passed or anticipation of the next. It is writing in the Now. Sometimes the words aren't really words, often there is no logic; you won't be able to tell, upon rereading, why that turn at that juncture, why that image followed the one before. And there's no need to try. This isn't the stuff for deep analysis. Give your imagination free rein, hold on and go along for the ride. You'll be glad you did.

      Spontaneous writing is a way into the intuitive. You can discover what you care about, what matters to you, what interests you, what motivates you, what scares or threatens you and what you love.

     

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