Ways of Being a Writer

c. N Haigh, Edquest

Some perspectives

• diver, patchwork writer, grand planner, architect

(Crème and Lea)• architects, bricklayers, oil painters, water colourists (Chandler)• time of day• preferred environment – the introversion/extraversion factor• soloist – collaborator

Writing Together

Case studies, issues and options

Diver Writer?

Starts writing - to find out what wants to

say.

Starts anywhere - sees what emerges -

before developing a plan.

Makes several dives - before considers

tying together what written.

Writing considered a part of thinking

process

Patchwork Writer?

First - decides on some subtopics -

writes about them

While writing - decides whether

subtopics relevant – whether/how can

be combined.

Later - combines subtopics with linking

ideas and words.

Writing is an aid to thinking.

Grand Plan Writer?

Reads, makes notes, thinks

Does not write until has plan for ‘what

to write’.

Can’t say what plan is until write it

down.

Then plan comes out nearly complete

= an epiphany.

Writing is an outcome of thinking

Architect Writer?

First - makes lots of notes, sketches

out many ideas.

Has sense of structure almost before

content.

Produces complex plan/‘map’ early in

process.

Sees writing as – communicating ideas

already clear in mind.

?

Which way is most like your own?

How stable is your way?

Have you changed over time?

How do you think your way is different?

What might be advantages and disadvantages of these

different ways?

Might there benefits from adjusting your way?

Architects

• Have conscious planning and design processes for

writing.

• Less likely to see writing as – a way of thinking

• Generally follow classic plan – write – edit sequence

• More likely to leave and come back to writing.

Bricklayers

• Built up text slowly

• Every sentence/paragraph polished before go on.

• More likely to leave and come back to writing.

• Usually have clear idea of what they want to say.

• Thinking leads to writing.

Oil painters

• Work fairly slowly

• Keep making alterations (over paint)

• Tendency – minimal planning + maximum alteration

• May be too writer-centred - not sufficiently reader-

oriented

Water colourists

• Work quickly (once paint dried, picture cannot be

altered).

• Minimal alterations

• In single attempt – produce near perfect product

• May be insufficiently attentive to readers

• If word processing skills limited may feel

– cannot work fast enough

– and dissatisfied.

When and Where?

• Do you have preferred times of day for writing?

– circadian rhythms

– am or pm person?

• Do you have a preferred environment – the introversion/extraversion factor?

Writing Alone - Together?

What preferences? What pros and cons?

Some of my writing strategies, methods, tools

• Turn off editor.

From coarse granularity to refined grains. Polish later.

• Try the ‘nutshelling ’ process.

• When bogged down, try talking vs writing. (try out ways of expressing ideas).

• Note: Tape record supervision sessions

Some of my writing strategies, methods, tools

• Have a grand writing plan

• But divide into ‘complete-able’ tasks.

• Write – incubate - write get past ‘first thoughts’ and ‘taken for granted’ ideas.

• Have a writing buddy/critical friend - sounding board - mapping partner - source of feedback Note: giving someone else feedback helps make explicit own writing criteria