Stream of consciousness is an unedited, unstructured and uninterrupted form of writing. It originated with the novel, Lauriers sont coupés, by Édouard Dujardin. The technique was then adopted by writers such as James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and William Faulkner, and given its ultimate name. In this literary technique, often described as an “internal monologue,” a fictional character was permitted to express his thoughts or feelings in an associative stream rather than a logical sequence.
Unfortunately, this has caused many people to associate stream of consciousness writing with nonsense. At times, a stream of consciousness narrative can be difficult for a reader to follow, but it nevertheless has a kind of sensible flow. People often use stream of consciousness naturally in conversations. Generally, the conversation will end up on a topic completely unrelated to the one which was begun. Neither conversationalist, on reflection, will be able to remember what caused the conversation to veer so drastically off-course.
Stream of consciousness is not nonsense, nor is it Jungian word association. The literary technique is extremely useful in fiction, whether in the narration of a novel or the soliloquy of a character in a play or film.
The stream of consciousness method of writing was heavily used in Monty Python’s Flying Circus to create absurd sketches and monologues which were outrageously funny because they didn’t seem to connect. However, what was really funny about Monty Python was that despite how apparently nonsensical the sketches were, there was always some insane logic underpinning it.
A more serious example of stream of consciousness writing in fictional narrative is Daniel Keyes’ short story “Flowers for Algernon.” The work was later expanded into a Nebula award winning full-length novel, and also made into a film entitled “Charly” starring Cliff Robertson. In “Flowers for Algernon,” Charlie starts off as a retarded man, making a series of journal entries as part of an experiment he’s taking part in. A group of psychologists is trying to see if they an enhance his intelligence artificially. As the journal progresses, Charlie’s intelligence can be seen to increase. As it does, his point of view changes. He begins to understand things which he previously had been mercifully unaware of. When he realizes that his increase in intelligence is only temporary, he begins a depressive downward spiral. Ultimately, he ends up right back where he started.
Stream of consciousness needs more structure in nonfiction writing such as essays and articles, but is still a useful technique. I have cultivated this technique over the course of several years in my nonfiction writing, and I have come up with a method that is very effective. In order for stream of consciousness to work in nonfiction, the concepts expressed should follow the same general flow of movement from one thought, to another one which is associated with it. It’s acceptable to subject stream of consciousness nonfiction writing to a moderate amount of editing. However, a balance must be maintained. Care must be taken not to interrupt the natural flow of association between thoughts. At its best, this method of writing can result in superlative prose.
I suggest that you practice this method of writing on your own. Start with one basic premise for your story or article. Then try to find a natural progression within the work, not through logic but through association. Allow the piece to flow from one thought to another, as a song would flow from one chord to another. Don’t edit the piece, at first. This is an exercise in allowing the mind to do what it wants to do naturally. Don’t allow the piece to denigrate into total nonsense, either. If it stops making sense, start over again from the beginning. The thoughts should flow together with relative ease. If writing with this method is too difficult, something is wrong. Try doing some relaxation techniques, such as restorative yoga or meditation, then go back to the exercise. Also, try working with concepts that you’re very familiar with. This tends to help to create a more natural flow of associations.
In the end, any editing you do to the flow of concepts should be minimal, and very carefully executed. You should be like a surgeon, making your cuts with the thought of repairing what nature intended, but without doing any lasting damage.
Many people will find that they understand stream of consciousness instinctively. The technique will come naturally to these people. Others may find it more of a chore. However you respond to the stream of consciousness method, it is a worthwhile technique to practice. To see an example of my nonfiction stream of consciousness writing, please view the article, “The Plight of the Nouveau Riche: The Modern Disease of Success, Status and Materialism.”
Patti Prague, “Creative Problem-Solving: Following Your Stream of Consciousness.” Ezine Articles. URL: (http://ezinearticles.com/?Creative-Problem-Solving:-Following-Your-Stream-of-Consciousness&id;=23845)
“Stream of Consciousness.” Encyclopedia Farlex. URL: (http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/Stream+of+consciousness+writing)
“Stream of Consciousness.” Infoplease. URL: (http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/ent/A0846939.html)
“Stream of Consciousness.” Encarta. URL: (http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761561295/Stream_of_Consciousness.html)
