When you write, do you ever feel stuck, unsure of where your story is heading? Or maybe you sense your words don’t quite capture the deeper truths you want to express. Tapping into your intuition can transform these moments of uncertainty into opportunities for discovery and growth.
Intuition isn’t a mysterious force. It’s an innate part of you, and a tool you already have. It’s that quiet nudge, the flash of insight, or the pull toward a particular idea or phrase. By learning to recognize and trust your intuitive voice, you can bring authenticity and depth to your creative writing.
What does intuition in writing look like?
Intuition often shows up in subtle ways during the creative process:
- A sudden image or phrase that feels important, even if you don’t yet understand why.
- A gut feeling that a sentence or idea belongs—or doesn’t.
- A pull toward a particular theme or story that feels deeply resonant.
For me, this has been especially true while working on my autofiction novel, Banned in Barbados. Early in the process, I felt compelled to shift the book from memoir to autobiographical fiction. While memoir might seem the more direct route to truth, my intuition told me fictionalizing the story would allow me to delve deeper into its emotional core. This decision unlocked a new level of freedom in my writing.
Another intuitive nudge came when I decided to experiment with the story’s form. Rather than sticking to a traditional narrative, I allowed myself to play—incorporating diary entries, letters, and other artifacts from my life. These elements bring richness and texture to the work, creating a tapestry that feels more aligned with the story I want to tell. Plus, it’s made it fun! That alone got me unstuck from worrying about whether or not I was doing it RIGHT.
Techniques for tapping into your inner intuitive writer
Freewriting
Set a timer for 10–15 minutes and write without stopping. Begin with the first thought that enters your head and follow it. Let go of judgment (as much as you humanly can) and keep following your thoughts, writing down one word after another.
This establishes trust between you and your intuition. And that trust will allow it to surface in your writing.
Meditate before writing
Spend a few minutes in meditation or mindful breathing before sitting down to write. This helps quiet the noise of daily life and makes it easier to hear your intuitive voice.
Even three deep breaths while sitting in your chair, connecting in with your body, the chair beneath you, and the floor beneath your feet will help you be more grounded and ready to listen to your inner self.
Use prompts to spark you intuition
Choose open-ended prompts like:
- What is my heart trying to say today?
- What memory or image feels important right now?
Let your intuition guide your response, even if it feels unrelated to your current project.
Pay attention to your body
Sometimes, intuition speaks through physical sensations. Notice where your energy flows or where resistance arises as you write.
Follow the path that feels lighter, warmer, or more expansive. Or ask the part of you that feels dense, contracted, or heavy what’s going on and what it wants you to know.
Revisit and reflect
After a writing session, reread your work. Highlight the sections that resonate deeply, even if they feel unfinished or rough. These are often gifts from your intuition.
Trusting the process
Writing intuitively can feel uncertain at first. Unlike carefully outlined plans, it doesn’t provide you with a clear roadmap. But the more you practice, the easier it becomes to trust where your intuition leads.
For me, letting intuition guide my work on Banned in Barbados not only deepened the story but brought me closer to its heart. Whether it was deciding to fictionalize the narrative or play with its form, these choices felt risky, even absurd, at the time but led to breakthroughs and a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction in my writing work,
Intuition is a powerful ally, whether you’re writing a novel, journaling for self-discovery, or penning a poem. It connects you to the deeper layers of your creativity, allowing you to write work that resonates–with yourself and your readers.
So the next time you sit down to write, take a moment to pause, breathe, and listen. Your intuition is waiting to show you the way.