Sentence Length and Structure:
* Short, choppy sentences: These create a sense of immediacy and rapid thought.
* Example: "Rain. Cold. Streetlights. Empty."
* Run-on sentences: These mimic the way thoughts can flow uninterrupted, connecting seemingly unrelated ideas.
* Example: "The coffee was bitter, like the end of a relationship, and the rain was coming down in sheets, like tears, and I just sat there, staring at the mug, and wondering if I was going to be okay."
* Fragmentary sentences: These emphasize feelings or impressions rather than complete thoughts.
* Example: "The smell of rain. Wet pavement. Her smile."
Sentence Beginnings:
* Starting with conjunctions: This mimics the way we often start sentences with "and," "but," or "so" in informal speech.
* Example: "And then I saw him, standing in the doorway, and my heart just skipped a beat."
* Starting with pronouns: This can create a sense of immediacy and a direct connection to the speaker's thoughts.
* Example: "I couldn't believe it. She was gone."
Other Features:
* Repetition of words or phrases: This can reflect obsessive thoughts or emphasize emotions.
* Example: "No, no, no. It can't be true. It can't be true."
* Use of colloquialisms and slang: This adds an informal, conversational tone.
* Example: "I was totally bummed out about the whole thing."
* Shifting points of view: This mimics the way thoughts can jump from one idea to another.
* Example: "I wonder what she's doing now. Maybe she's thinking about me. I hope she's thinking about me."
Important Note: It's crucial to use these techniques judiciously to avoid overwhelming the reader. Stream of consciousness can be effective in small doses, but it can also be confusing or frustrating if used excessively.