Free association writing
By chiquitty
@chiquitty (24)
India
September 5, 2010 4:16am CST
Free association writing is a technique where in you put down on a paper, words or sentences that come to your mind without a pause or thought over grammar spelling etc. The technique is used in psychoanalysis to give more insight into ones mental makeup. But as you practice this, you tend to reach a point when suddenly the gibberish you have been writing starts flowing into a good pattern. Its like you begin to discover a prose or poetry you never knew was inside you! I bet numerous people would have used this technique to overcome their writers block. Give it a try; you ll be surprised with the results. And.. it helps calm your nerves :)
2 people like this
7 responses
@amybrezik (2118)
• United States
5 Sep 10
I have heard of this but I have never tried it. I am not sure I would know where to start. Usually when I write, I have some sort of topic in mind. Mine actually might turn up being a bitter rant of what is going on at my job!
@chiquitty (24)
• India
12 Sep 10
Thats the point of free association writing. When you dont know where to start you write from the middle :P. just scribble something down and dont worry if its about work may be it ll help you put down the frust on your boss ;)
@Catana (735)
• United States
5 Sep 10
It's also called freewriting (when it has nothing to do with being in psychoanalysis), and is a great way to unblock yourself and get the ideas flowing. There are loads of good articles about it on the internet, and also a few books. It usually starts out sounding like nonsense, but little by little, you'll find yourself coming up with interesting ideas that can become stories. I used to use this all the time, but haven't for quite a while because now I'm busy writing.
@Rainbowliselle (498)
• Philippines
5 Sep 10
hmmm, so this was what I have been doing for years. I even sub-titled my blog site as "unloading the trashes in my mind". By just writing down my thoughts, I unleash the day's stresses and keeps my sanity intact from the pressures and stresses of life.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
5 Sep 10
I once read about this technique in a book about creative writing and they suggested that you do it at least once a day for instanse in the morning when you wake up. I decided to try it and at first I did it every day, but now I just do it every once in a while. I think it is a useful technique, and sometimes I have found inspiration for new poems that way. I try to write any thought or idea without worrying about spelling and grammar and if it is seems stupid or just doesn't make sense I write it anyway, I try to avoid any kind of judgement. Sometimes 98% is rubbish, but as long as there are a few sentences that I can use I am happy.
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
5 Sep 10
I have done this and I have also had my student perform this writing activity. It can be real refreshing and yet funny all at the same time! It's a really good practice if you have writer's block like you said!
@sweetloveforeve (13120)
• Portugal
6 Sep 10
aww this is really nice^^ i when i write i usually think about grammar but sometimes when im talking about what i feel inside of me sometimes i just write and write without care for it much^^ you are right it must help for us to calm us down^^ at least it calls me down when i finish to write all what im feeling inside of me^^ anyway talk always helps too^^ and write too is a way we use to relax and forget problems by writing it :) when we finish we feel relax :)
@chiquitty (24)
• India
5 Sep 10
hmmm. Lets say your sitting in front of your computer and have absolutely nothing to do, just open up a new document, start scribbling the words coming to your mind without making an effort to think. Or may be after you wake up after a noon nap. Start scribbling and keep on writing until at some point of time, you will feel something good coming out of it.
@pinksplotch (268)
• Quezon City, Philippines
5 Sep 10
yes, free association or free writing helps me a lot. i'd usually just take a word or phrase and just write anything i know or feel about it. at first the sentences seem illogical and sound awkward, but in the long run it starts to have a good flow and rhythm to it.. i often free write as most often i don't have the time to plan my writing. what i would do is JUST WRITE (period). works well for me :)
