I often use the technique of ‘Stream of consciousness’ writing in my journaling and writing practice. I encourage you to try this style in your memoir writing to find your authentic voice and connect your vulnerabilities.
This is an unstructured technique where thoughts and emotions flow freely onto the page. Just write about what comes into your mind. No editing, no planning, simply an exploration of the present moment.
“I suppose I do get ‘blocked’ sometimes, but I don’t like to call it that. That seems to give it more power than I want it to have. What I try to do is write… And it might be just the most boring and awful stuff. But I try. And then it’s as if the muse is convinced I’m serious and says ‘OK. OK. I’ll come.’”
– Maya Angelou
Hagen Growth offer 5 tips to get you started:
1. Let your thoughts flow freely
This type of writing is meant to let your thoughts flow freely onto the paper. Don’t try to limit yourself or force your mind to think about specific things. Let them flow, and be completely honest about what you’re feeling, thinking, and experiencing.
This approach might be painful or scary, but it ensures the exercise is the most beneficial.
2. Don’t worry about structure
The good thing about a stream of consciousness writing is that you don’t have to worry about structure, timelimes, grammar, or anything else. All you have to do is write what you’re experiencing in whatever way you’re experiencing it.
3. Be honest with yourself
Be honest with yourself. Don’t try to sugarcoat or limit your writing because a thought brings up difficult emotions. If it does, it’s usually a sign that it’s something that you need to share.
4. Let your thoughts guide you
Let your thoughts guide you. Maybe you started writing about a traumatic memory, and suddenly, you’re writing about your dog. It might seem wrong but go with it.
Your mind will make associations from whatever you’re writing about to other things. Exploring these will improve your experience and help you in the long run.
5. Write for as long as you want
There is no length that a stream of consciousness writing session is supposed to be, and tends to vary from time to time. Some days, you might not need more than a page. On other days, you’ll want to write 10 pages.
Don’t let space be a limiting factor, and don’t think that you have to write a certain amount.
Enjoy x
The Unabridged Memoir 