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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Dominique Alexander Archives
May 2019
CategoriesAll Identity Narrative Reflection Research Project Writing Process |