Becoming a Writer (in 175 pages). Who knew that a book existed that could tell me how to be…how to be this supernatural being that has the power to construct words together that could change your life and transport you to Narnia, Wonderland, or 1934. I knew writers had magic and Dorthea Brande spilled the beans about it, 75 years ago.
“To begin with, you must teach the unconscious to flow into the channel of writing” (pg. 69).
The unconscious mind writes, the conscious mind revises. I’ve heard that before and while I should be comforted in hearing it again - because the repetition of it implies the truth - it is actually quite unsettling. Being unconscious implies that you are not aware of what you are writing as you write it. Sleep writing. My conscious mind is very much in control of what I write down and type out. The only time that I come close to stream-of-consciousness writing is when I do timed free writing. You can safely assume that none of the writing produced from my free writing is award-winning or even worth sharing with a close friend. Ha!
I didn’t get a chance to finish reading Brande’s chapter on how to harness this unconscious writer that lives inside of you, but how wonderful it would be if I could force my conscious mind to hibernate and let the magic flow. Its got to be in me somewhere. Does an unconscious mind take bribes?
Come out, come out, where ever you are. I can feed you. I know a lady who can make the best toasted peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...
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