Automatic Writing
First and foremost before reading about this exercise! Please read about protection under the communication tab! It is very important to cast protection before any type of channeling spiritwork.
This practice takes lots of trust in yourself. It can be a bit more advanced for beginners who have trouble hearing, however it is excellent to practice hearing! The more you practice, the more you will understand the nuance of the voices you are processing and recording.
Automatic writing is not a common experience wherein your hand takes on a life of its own and writes. More than anything, it is a type of channeling and meditation. You ask to receive the message or communication of specified entity and you write the response you feel is processing through in reply to your question or statement.
When beginning this practice it is very common to second guess or be unsure. However, it is the most amazing and best way to communicate and get the hang of knowing how to hear spirits. It is great for enhancing clairaudience. At first it may seem challenging, but you WILL begin to notice a difference in the tone of the thought-voice they send you, versus you own. You will notice personality, a loudness or quietness to the voice coming through, you may also feel the need to write very fast or notice your handwriting differ as you record the response. But again, it is not your hand moving on its own, out of your control, but rather it is influenced through your writing.
Don't doubt yourself! Write what you feel you hear as the response, even if you think it is your own mind answering. Write it anyway, and keep practicing. Eventually you will no longer debate it, you will know. It will come with clarity and end up placing you easily into a meditative state as you communicate. The answers will come through naturally and clearly to the mind. You may even not remember certain things you write in response to your question - this is due to channeling of energy and how well you are synced up to the spirit speaking to you. This takes practice, but it can be a very powerful, accurate tool.
Again, I stress, please read about prayers of protection and intention. Please always do this as you begin each time you open a channel of communication. It is not worth your energy to deal with negative energies who want to waste your time or cause you duress.