1/29/2019 2 Comments Writing Process RoundtableOne summer evening after a long day of work, I decide to head to the beach to watch the sunset. Once I arrive I notice three people setting up for a bonfire. I really wanted a s’more, I was starving I decided to conquer my fear and be outgoing. I walk over to the bonfire introduce myself and ask to join their group. Everyone said with excitement of course! So I smile and pull up a chair. They said so what brings you to the beach this evening? I tell them about my busy work schedule and numerous assignments I have due for my English class. They all look at each other with grins on their faces they introduce themselves as Don Murray, Anne Lamott, and Mary Karr. No need to fear Dominique we will teach you the writing process. Please grab a gram and marshmallow… let begin.
I’m curious to know how do you guys view the writing process? As he grabs a graham cracker Don say I like to think there are three stages to writing, Pre-writing, writing and rewriting. “Prewriting is everything that takes place before the first draft. Prewriting usually takes about 85 percent of the writer’s time.” Picking up a marshmallow he continues, “Writing is the act of producing a first draft. It is the fastest part of the process, and the most frightening, for it is a commitment”. Reaching for some chocolate Don’s excitement for writing is expressed as the tone as his voice changes. “Rewriting is reconsideration of subject, form and audience. It research, rethinking, redesigning, rewriting-and finally, line- by-line editing, the demanding, satisfying process of making each word right.” My eyebrows raise as if a lightbulb has gone off. I smile and nod in agreement as I began to understand how the writing process works. Mary grabs a marshmallow and begins to take a bite. Dom I agree with some of Don’s points. “Writing is painful-its “fun” only for novices, the very young, and hacks;” she chuckles, “Other than a few instances of luck, good work only comes through revision; the best revisers often have reading habits that stretch back before the current age, which lends them a sense of history and raises their standards for quality.” Wow Thank you Mary I will begin to read more to help maybe it will help the quality of my writing. “Revision is the secret to their troubles –and yours. That, and a sense of quality that exceeds what you can do-that gives you something to strive for. Actually, every writer needs two selves-the generative self and the editor self.” I smirk this is awesome, I’m learning and my confidence is rising. I don’t feel as overwhelmed. We all take a minute in silence to enjoy the warmth of the fire and sounds of the waves of the ocean. I sigh this is so therapeutic. I smile at Anna as she grabs peanut butter out her bag and reach for a graham cracker. Anna say Dominique I’m glad your understanding important concepts of writing “Now, practically even better news than that of short assignments is the idea of shitty drafts. All good writers write them. This is how they end up with good second drafts and terrific thirds drafts. Very few writers really know what they are doing until they’ve done it.” It part of the revision process Mary spoke about and rewriting Don touched on. I grab some chocolate and begin to form my s’more… so the key to becoming a successful writer is get all your ideas on paper “brain storm”, don’t criticize your work because it’s a work in progress, and work on its serval time until you’ve perfected your craft. I finally understand the process of writing. I don’t know how to repay you guys for your generosity this evening, you all have went above and beyond to teach me about the writing process. We all hugs and exchange emails until we meet again… they all say. I reply with the biggest smile until we met again.
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1/29/2019 3 Comments The Proust Questionnaire1.What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I define perfect happiness with being 100% sure of yourself. Knowing who you are truly as a person, what you want and living out every dream imagined despite what everyone else around you thinks. 2.What is your greatest fear? My greatest fear is being a disappointment to myself. 3.What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? I’m not as outgoing as I would like to be. 4.What is the trait you most deplore in others? It really bothers me when people are rude, disrespectful and entitled. 5.Which living person do you most admire? I admire my grandmother Etheline, the strength she has is amazing. She’s unbreakable 6.What is your greatest extravagance? I will say its traveling that’s something I enjoy doing and will splurge on a top notch vacation. 7.What is your current state of mind? Positive, determined, and focused on the next chapter in life. 8.What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Obedience I don’t believe people should live by so many rules and restrictions. Just Live. 9.On what occasion do you lie? Calling out sick for work lol. 10.What do you most dislike about your appearance? Weight gain 11.Which living person do you most despise? I do not despise anyone because I honestly don’t put my energy into that many people. 12.What is the quality you most like in a man? Caring, supportive, and motivated with great teeth 13.What is the quality you most like in a woman? Caring, supportive, and motivated with great teeth 14.Which words or phrases do you most overuse? periodt and flewed out.. I don't get it lol 15.What or who is the greatest love of your life? I honestly love God 1st he makes everything possible and paves my way. Then it’s my wife and family 16.When and where were you happiest? I have had many happy moments in life but I think my happiest is coming. 17.Which talent would you most like to have? I would be a superhero, I like helping/ saving people. 18.If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would lose 30lbs smh 19.What do you consider your greatest achievement? Honestly it was marring my wife because it was something I did for me and my happiness. It was the first time in life I was selfish it was the best two weeks of my life. 20.If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? If all my loved one and friend were still on earth I would come back as me to spend more time with them. 21.Where would you most like to live? Hawaii or Aruba 22.What is your most treasured possession? My animals I have a dog “Sophie”, cat “Kit” and a bird “Charlie” 23.What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? I honestly don't have one 24.What is your favorite occupation? I’m currently a nursing assistant but I aim to be a respiratory therapist. 25.What is your most marked characteristic? I'm strong-minded, and understanding 26.What do you most value in your friends? Their loyalty 27.Who are your favorite writers? Maya Angelou, Angela Thomas, Judy Blume 28.Who is your hero of fiction? Matilda Wormwood hands down lol. Matilda was one of my favorite movies growing up! 29.Which historical figure do you most identify with? Rosa Parks 30.Who are your heroes in real life? My mom because she gave birth to at 16 and nurtured me to health. 31.What are your favorite names? Zena, Zura for girls and Zion and Zane for boys 32.What is it that you most dislike? I dislike when people spit on the ground. 33.What is your greatest regret? Not going to college right after high school. 34.How would you like to die? In my sleep 35.What is your motto? You only have one life to live. |
Dominique Alexander Archives
May 2019
CategoriesAll Identity Narrative Reflection Research Project Writing Process |