The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Random Autobiographies

          A random autobiography is a great way to stretch yourself as a writer.  I am sure there are more thorough definitions and descriptions around, but this is the what I say about them:

       A random autobiographical poem is written in free verse, and is indeed "random," because it slips in and out when it comes to the timeline.  When drafting this, allow the events of your life to come to you in a stream of consciousness; some of them will be more "major" and some will be seemingly insignificant. However, don't dwell too long and overthink as you are writing about where things belong.  Just let them flow out...

           This is an example of a random autobiography poem.  You have to page down past a couple of ads to read it.

           A few years ago I wrote one at a writing retreat. It was truly an enjoyable experience.  It's too long to include here, but if you're interested, I'd be glad to email it to you.




photo by Photoma's World

           Try your hand at one. I'd love to see what you come up with...

1 comment:

  1. I would love to get my hands on your "random autobiography poem". The example was pretty good, and in some strangely tangential way I could almost see how this would be therapeutic for some people. People don't pay a lot of attention to this nowadays, but if you observe tribal or traditional dance and music, like in India, a lot of the emphasis is on rhythm. In fact, rhythm can be used to build up the energy of the crowd, allowing for both a release of emotion as well as the assurance of safety as the group will feed off the "common vibe" of the moment. The constant rhythm is an energy all its own, again, in some cases, used to induce a trance-like state. In this regard, the poems that people free-write may have the ability to show them "blocks" in their sub-conscious. Kind of like keeping a 'dream journal'. Just a thought...

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