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THE WRITING PROCESS

By j.d. daniels

Photo by j.d. daniels (2010)The Writing Process…

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Deciding on a Topic can be Hard…

Read assignments carefully. Review examples of genre being

written. Review introductions of appropriate

chapters in your textbook. Write this question and freewrite from

it:

What is it I really want to write about?

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Freewrite?

Freewriting is a method to explore through the use of writing without restriction. It can help you find a topic.

A writer takes out a journal or uses a computer and for ten minutes begins to write. Don’t worry about making sense, grammar, punctuation—any of those Rules of English. Just write and explore your brain.

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Does Freewriting Work?

Sometimes—yes. Sometimes—no.

It’s a journey, you are exploring your own inner thoughts. It can expand your imagination. The genius, Einstein said, “New ideas are found in the imagination,” he wasn’t wrong.

Try it.

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The Broken Mirror Metaphor

Know what happens when you drop a mirror and it breaks? Scattered pieces. That’s how the writing process works.

Sometimes you move forward, sometimes you move backward, sometimes things seem too scattered (or frustrating)

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Frustration: Celebrate it

An expert in the teaching of writing, Mina Shaunnasey, claims that without the element of frustration, learning or discovery in writing doesn’t take place. When this doesn’t happen, she asserts, the final product won’t be as powerful.

Think about it. This means you should “Trust in the Process”. Trust that if you are frustrated, you are learning. Cool, huh?

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True Learning

Thus, when you find yourself frustrated, step back from it and say to yourself. Why, this must mean I’m learning something new, I’m having a new experience. Then, dig in and take the challenge to conquer it. That learning will filter back to your sub-conscious mind and that, students of writing, is Learning, with a capitol L.

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The Feedback Process

When a writer is trying to accomplish a writing assignment, they need feedback from peers. The more and varied the feedback, the more for the writer to think about. Sometimes the feedback seems less than helpful. Don’t believe it. Even one small thing said can make a huge change in a draft, thus making the final product more powerful.

Me give feedback? Me? Use those critique sheets. Yes, you can.

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Revising

Revising is what writers do.

If anyone thinks they can write one draft of an assignment, hand it in and be successful, they think they can buy the Brooklyn Bridge.

All writers, professional or novice, need feedback and editorial help.

It’s almost impossible to catch your own bad habits.

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Sometimes what you think you said on the paper (or screen) is still in your head.

You need readers to help catch this.

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So write drafts, read models, write reader responses, then share them with your peers. Read your peers responses, freewrite, write drafts, give and receive information from your peers, and revise and revise and revise.

That’s what writers do…

This is not an English Class, this is a writing class. Big difference.

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Why do all students in all colleges and universities have to take a form of Comp I?

Because it is important. It may be the most important course you ever take.

Push yourself to discover and explore.

Realize the process is often more important than the final product.

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Trusting in the Process is a way of life.

This course is about you.

Take the challenge.

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