elizabeth irvine
My pen begins to scribble across the page; I do not stop, and I let it lead. Automatic writing is simple: get out of the way and let the words come. For me, this morning practice may reveal hidden messages—fresh insight, honest advice, eureka moments—that redirect my thoughts for the day ahead. The soul has its own vocabulary.
I liken it to a snapshot of your heart’s desires, not your analytical mind—the hidden place that rarely gets acknowledged. Not the story you planned or the outline you made, but something more subdued that keeps asking to be heard. I feel that dedicating time and energy to this form of writing is so cathartic and insightful. Worth every ounce of effort.
That is usually where my work with writers begins.
Automatic writing: letting the pen lead
Automatic writing is simple. I like to begin by getting quiet and spending a few moments focusing on my breath. I ask myself, what does my soul want me to know today? Then I pick up my pen and paper and write without stopping, editing, or deciding what is “good.” You let whatever wants to come through arrive on the page.
Many people (myself included) are surprised by what shows up. A sentence they didn’t know they believed. A memory they had set aside. A direction for the book they’ve been circling for years.
When I wrote Language of the Soul, this kind of listening was at the center of the process. The practice taught me that the soul has its own vocabulary. It speaks in images, feelings, and sentences that make you stop and breathe. The more I trusted that voice, the clearer my writing became.
Why this matters for your writing project
Most of us were taught to write from our head: plan, outline, draft, revise. That has its place. But if you’ve ever felt stuck, flat, or disconnected from your own project, the problem is rarely craft. More often, you haven’t yet found what your soul is really asking of you.
Automatic writing helps you:
Move past the critic. The judge goes quiet.
Find your subject. Often the book you thought you were writing sits right next to the one you are meant to write.
Finding your own voice. Not the voice you think a writer should have, but yours.
trust. Writing becomes less about performing and more about listening.
Working together
I’m an author with four published books, and I help people bring their writing projects into being, whether that’s a memoir, a dabble into poetry, a collection of essays, or something you haven’t named yet. I love acting as a guide on a personal self-discovery journey through writing.
When we work together, I’ll guide you through automatic writing practices to uncover what your soul wants to say, then help you shape it into something clear and honest. You don’t need to be an experienced writer. You only need to be willing to listen.
A small practice to try today
Let’s try something now:
Find a quiet spot, then take three slow breaths.
Set a timer for 5 minutes.
At the top of the page, write: “What does my soul want me to know today?”
Keep your pen moving the whole time. Do not try too hard.
When the timer ends, read what you wrote slowly, without any judgment. Underline or circle anything that jumps out.
Notice what you find. That surprise is often the thread to follow.
Ready to begin?
Are you ready to find out what’s waiting underneath, or do you feel a project calling you? Contact me to discuss how we can collaborate: info@elizabethirvine.com
Elizabeth Irvine is the author of four books, including Language of the Soul.
REad more
The writing process- do you need a guide?
Santa Fe writing retreat