# Exploring the Insights of Stream of Consciousness for Writers
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Chapter 1: The Essence of Stream of Consciousness
What does stream of consciousness reveal about you as a writer? Let’s explore this intriguing topic.
Writing Prompt
There's a long-standing BBC radio show titled "Just A Minute," where participants must speak on a specified subject for 60 seconds without pausing, straying off-topic, or repeating themselves. This show has been running since the dawn of time—well, perhaps not quite, but it feels that way! It's an entertaining challenge that requires a focused stream of consciousness. Personally, I wouldn't excel unless the topics were about The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, or West Ham, which is unlikely.
However, when it comes to uninterrupted writing on whatever pops into my mind, that's a different story. I've never truly experienced writer’s block; instead, I deal with straying thoughts that can lead me away from my intended topic. If I were on "Just A Minute," I'd likely falter due to deviation almost instantly. My mind resembles the chaotic lyrics of REM’s "End of the World" or Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire," minus the choruses, of course, as repetition is not allowed.
At first glance, you might assume I’d thrive in the 100 Random Things in 20 Minutes challenge initiated by Paul Combs and adeptly adopted by Buddy Gott. Both authors offer glimpses into their personalities; Buddy, for instance, once humorously referred to himself as Pulu C. Bgmba, while Paul humorously expressed a desire to watch the U.S. presidential debate for its comedic value.
Having spent around 266 years on this planet, I’m well aware of my personality, and generating 100 random thoughts in 20 minutes is a daunting task for numerous reasons—primarily because I dislike being confined by numerical targets or any plans at all. I prefer a free-flowing stream of thoughts that spill out without punctuation, leading to similar outcomes, albeit through different paths.
Note: The preceding text serves as the initial moments of the challenge; I'll proceed to outline the remaining points logically, despite them being written as a single stream initially. Yesterday, I spent approximately eight hours in a temperature exceeding 25°C (which I can’t recall in Fahrenheit, as we switched to metric when I was about 10). This change was part of the UK’s desire to align with the European Common Market in the 1970s, which aimed to facilitate integration.
This sometimes baffles those outside Europe, who find it odd that we refer to people from the continent as Europeans, but not ourselves. I recall a presentation I gave in Chicago where I explained this to my American colleagues, only to leave them even more perplexed—especially when I mentioned that France is four times closer to my London home than Scotland and Holland is three times closer.
The conversation veered off again when they asked me why a cricket match can span four or even five days. I attempted to clarify that there are three different formats of the game, one lasting just three hours and another lasting a single day, but I could tell I lost them when I explained I had attended the longer format that lasted four days.
This choice had nothing to do with the fact that you can bring your own alcohol to the longer version of the game, of course—not at all! The Europeans, by the way, don't play cricket, which I think I mentioned to my Chicago colleagues as a notable distinction.
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Chapter 2: The Chaotic Nature of Thoughts
The eight hours spent watching a cricket match was just a fraction of my day, especially given that I had a full bottle of Pinot Noir stashed in my cool bag, and the security personnel were too distracted to notice the extra beers I had smuggled in. I stood up to stretch during the breaks and made a few trips to the restroom—though not excessively for a man of my age, considering I had consumed about a liter of water.
This brings me back to the complexities of measurement systems. In the UK, we use liters for liquids, yet we measure fuel efficiency in miles per gallon. Interestingly, a U.S. pint is smaller than the British pint, a revelation I stumbled upon while driving in the States.
There, they refer to fuel as "gas," which is a bit perplexing since gas can also mean the state of matter that powers vehicles. I can only assume they must clarify whether they want gas in its gaseous or liquid form—maybe they say, "Fill her up with hydrogen!"
The rise of electric cars has likely simplified things. I recall a steak dinner in Chicago that was quite enjoyable, although I prefer Argentinian steak, perhaps due to my wife’s heritage. I’ve been experimenting with cooking chicken lately, as it’s touted as a healthier option, but dietary recommendations seem to change constantly.
My wife is currently in Valencia visiting friends we made during our five years living there, and I opted to stay back to attend a cricket match on Monday. This decision was influenced by a series of factors, including the rather poor live music scene in Spain compared to London and, admittedly, some tax-related frustrations I experienced there.
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Amidst this back-and-forth, I’ve also contemplated writing a Medium article titled "10 Songs With Stanley Knife in the Title." The challenges of conversions between miles and kilometers often lead me to rely on Google, especially when driving in Spain.
As I weave through these thoughts, I find myself reflecting on various musicians and their entrepreneurial efforts in today's music landscape, from attending gigs to engaging with artists online.
In conclusion, the chaotic nature of my thought process often leads to unexpected connections and ideas, whether they be about cricket, music, or even a fictional novella set in medieval England. The stream of consciousness allows me to explore these ideas freely, albeit sometimes leaving me wondering how long I’ve been lost in thought. How does stream of consciousness help you in your writing endeavors? Do you find it to be a valuable tool?