Automatic writing


writing performed without apparent intent or conscious control, especially to achieve spontaneity or uncensored expression.
Contemporary Examples

The myth is that the strangeness of On the Road comes from an off-the-cuff American style of “automatic writing.”
You Don’t Know Jack: Kerouac Biographer Joyce Johnson and ‘The Voice Is All’ Lauren Du Graf September 15, 2012

Rather than retreat, she seduced him by falling into a trance and pretending to succumb to a bout of automatic writing.
Seduce Like a Writer: How 7 Famous Scribes Wooed Joni Rendon, Shannon McKenna Schmidt February 12, 2014

Historical Examples

The doctor’s daughter, about fifteen years old, could do automatic writing.
Elementary Theosophy L. W. Rogers

“Table Rapping and automatic writing” answers the questions.
Clairvoyance and Occult Powers Swami Panchadasi

No spelling out of signals nor automatic writing was employed, but word of mouth.
The Return of Peter Grimm David Belasco

People who resort to mediums and the automatic writing craze are beyond me: though the temptation I understand.
Far to Seek Maud Diver

Syllables are also often misplaced in Mrs Piper’s automatic writing; thus hospital may be written hostipal.
Mrs. Piper & the Society for Psychical Research Michael Sage

I do automatic writing every evening, unless I am really tired—because its no use then, is it?
The House of Defence v. 2 E. F. Benson

automatic writing frequently exhibits indications of telepathy.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 1 Various

Whatever the method adopted may be, it is seldom that automatic writing is manifested at the outset.
Metapsychical Phenomena J. Maxwell

Read Also:

  • Automatically

    having the capability of starting, operating, moving, etc., independently: an automatic sprinkler system; an automatic car wash. Physiology. occurring independently of volition, as certain muscular actions; involuntary. done unconsciously or from force of habit; mechanical: an automatic application of the brakes. occurring spontaneously: automatic enthusiasm. (of a firearm, pistol, etc.) utilizing the recoil or part […]

  • Automatically programmed tools

    automatically programmed tools language (APT) A language for numerically controlled machine tools. Versions: APT II (IBM 704, 1958), APT III (IBM 7090, 1961). [“APT Part Programming”, McGraw-Hill]. [Sammet 1969, p. 605]. (1995-05-04)

  • Automaticity

    having the capability of starting, operating, moving, etc., independently: an automatic sprinkler system; an automatic car wash. Physiology. occurring independently of volition, as certain muscular actions; involuntary. done unconsciously or from force of habit; mechanical: an automatic application of the brakes. occurring spontaneously: automatic enthusiasm. (of a firearm, pistol, etc.) utilizing the recoil or part […]

  • Automation

    the technique, method, or system of operating or controlling a process by highly automatic means, as by electronic devices, reducing human intervention to a minimum. a mechanical device, operated electronically, that functions automatically, without continuous input from an operator. act or process of automating. the state of being automated. Contemporary Examples Beyond doubt, the steady […]

  • Automatize

    to make automatic. automate. verb to make (a process, etc) automatic or (of a process, etc) to be made automatic v. 1837, “to make into an automaton;” see automaton + -ize. Meaning “to make automatic” attested by 1952. Related: Automatized; automatizing.


Disclaimer: Automatic writing definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.