My writing process consists of the three stages outlined by Murray, prewriting, writing and rewriting. The prewriting process is probably the only one I enjoy. I enjoy it so much that I over research, as a form of procrastination that includes the futile hope that I’ll never have to move on to the next stage. Writing. I wonder why writing is so painful for me. I seem to want every sentence to flow out of me perfectly and thus be able to avoid the third stage totally. There is an interior critic who I must do battle with for every sentence on the page. What I have found helpful for myself are two processes; speaking my thoughts (this involves either a tape recording device or someone who would like to take dictation, this second option is perhaps less practical), I have also found that forcing myself to write non-stop for five or ten minutes, uncensored, frees my own writing inhibitions . Nevertheless, I still struggle through the process. Rewriting is also painful, because once again the critic comes out. Obviously, I never took a class that emphasized or taught a writing process. I believe in teaching process over product. Murray’s inventory of implications all make sense and I might try to incorporate them myself in the next paper I write.
My PROCESS
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September 22, 2009 at 3:36 pm |
The prewriting stage is my favorite stage, too. My least favorite stage is the rewriting or revision stage. My inner critic comes out as well, and I easily get tired of reading my own work, of the topic, and of the paper in general.
September 25, 2009 at 3:11 pm |
I know how you feel about procrastinating by remaining the pre-writing stage. I, too, have a hard time making myself progress through the writing process. I always get so many great ideas, and I have a hard time taking those ideas and forming them into coherent thought. I recently read an article by a psychologist who counsels professional writers about writing process. He suggests sitting down and writing every day, no matter what, and writing in short bursts (15 minutes) before shifting position or getting up and walking around or being distracted by something. I guess that actually makes the writing process more productive. Good luck!
September 29, 2009 at 4:19 pm |
I have the same problem of self censoring as move through my thoughts and likewise I find it helpful to just write without paying attention to grammar or structure. These moments where the pace of my writing becomes frenetic produce my best ideas, because discovery is occuring in this time where thoughts of structure and grammar have been thrown out as constraining influences.