Exploring Automatic Writing Techniques

Sep 3, 2024

Lecture on Writing Techniques

Traditional Writing Approach

  • Primary Goals: Coherence and polish.
  • Methods:
    • Think thoroughly before writing.
    • Pay attention to spelling.
    • Revise and correct words.
  • Aim: Articulate thoughts accurately.

Alternative Writing Philosophy: Automatic Writing

  • Objective: Express genuine thoughts.
  • Core Idea:
    • Avoid overthinking.
    • Do not worry about being logical, elegant, or even sane.
    • Write everything that comes to mind immediately.

Process of Automatic Writing

  • Choose a Topic:
    • Emotional and personal, e.g., relationship with mother, father, partner, or personal desires.
  • Execution:
    • Write rapidly for 2 minutes without pausing.
    • Allow thoughts and feelings to flow freely.

Outcomes of Automatic Writing

  • Emotional Discovery:
    • Feelings towards important people or desires may differ from initial assumptions.
    • Potential to uncover unexpected emotions like love, disdain, longing, envy, rage, or sadness.

Value of the Exercise

  • Self-discovery:
    • Reveals subconscious feelings suppressed by societal norms and personal fears.
    • Confronts truths that normally cause anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and depression.

Conclusion

  • Purpose: Not to become great writers but to achieve personal liberation.
  • Result: Meet the real self, overcoming insincerities that lead to inner turmoil.

Automatic writing is a tool for emotional and mental liberation, enabling individuals to express their true selves without the constraints of societal expectations.