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by pfannkuchen 794 days ago
How do you write without an internal monologue? Is each sentence a surprise as you write it? It wasn’t in your head before you write it down? If it was, isn’t that an internal monologue?
2 comments

Well I have an internal monologue and I think in language a lot, but I wouldn't say the sentence is on my mind before I write it. It's more like I redirect the stream of language to the page, so instead of saying the words to myself I write the words.

I find writing very useful for thinking. It focuses the monologue and you don't need to strain your short-term memory as much when reasoning about elements in the stream, it's like doing maths on paper instead of in your head.

I'm sure you experience the same thing when talking, you don't say each word to yourself before you say it out-loud (perhaps you do?). Also, where are the words before you say them to yourself, they are kind of a surprise no? Just as you describe writing.

Without internal monologue, you can still think about sentences, but no one is talking to you inside your head.