This is my second blog! With this blog I would be elaborating what "The writing process" is. This is a method that is used to help establish stronger writer for students, such as myself. Below is a roundtable discussion between me, Don Murray, Mary Karr, and Anne Lamott.
Teach Writing as a Process Not a Product (Don Murray) Against Vanity: In Praise of Revision (Mary Karr) Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life | pp. 28 -34 | Short Assignments & Shitty First Drafts (Anne Lamott) After working a long 12 hour-shift in universtiy city, I go to the nearest Starbucks and grab me the strongest double-shot coffee. After receiving my coffee I go to the nearest table. Being distracted from my phone, I failed to realize there were three people already sitting at the table. I ask if they mind me sitting here, instead of answering they ignored me and continued bickering. I didn't feel like walking anywhere else, so I just sat there. Scrolling through social media I couldn't help put my phone down after I hear someone say "good writing is about telling the truth", that was Anne Lamott. I was not intrigued because I still write in a journal and I am 19 years-old. I immediately budge in and ask them "What are you guys chatting about?". With no remorse they both said "The writing process" in perfect tune. Of course I knew what they were talking about, but I did not know what it was. I'm a college student taking English Comp. stressing about writing an essay about the "writing process" and to my luck. I have found a golden ticket! I respond "Okay, I'm so glad I chose to sit here, someone please explain that. Are you college professors too? I am so overwhelmed with trying to understand this concept, please explain?". Just as Don was going to respond I interrupted him "-- I mean I know there's the prewriting, rewriting, writing, and drafts-- can that be elaborated?" Don Murray says, "Prewriting usually takes about 85 percent of the writer’s time. It includes the awareness of his world from which his subject is born. In prewriting, the writer focuses on that subject, spots an audience, chooses a form which may carry his subject to his audience. Prewriting may include research and daydreaming, note-making and outlining, title-writing and lead-writing" I tell Murray "Yeah I see, I do that a lot actually, now it makes sense. When I have research I just brainstorm and make out-lines to help me organize my work, but I am unexperienced as a writer and have a lot of struggles!" Without a doubt Mary Karr says "For me, the last 20 percent of a book’s improvement takes 95 percent of the effort—all in the editing. I can honestly say not one page I’ve ever published appears anywhere close to how it came out in first draft. A poem might take sixty versions. I am not much of a writer, but I am a stubborn little bulldog of a reviser." "Ugh, that can be so frustrating at times but now that I think about it. Revising has made me become better at getting straight to the point because I remove things that are basically... well--add ons!" I say. "Say to yourself in the kindest possible way, look ,honey, all we’re going to do for now is to write a description of the river at sunrise, or the young child swimming in the pool at the club, or the first time the man sees the woman he will marry. That is all we going to do for now. We are just going to take this bird by bird. But we are going to finish this one short assignment,” says Anne Lamott "Yeah, I am feeling like I can be better at writing given that I am going to write an essay about the writing process and here I am putting the puzzle pieces together!" I say. "We are coaches, encouragers, developers, creators of environments in which our students can experience the writing process for themselves,” says Murray. I nod my head to show that I am not JUST getting an understanding. He continues and says: "The amount of time a writer spends in each stage depends on his personality, his work habits, his maturity as a craftsman, and the challenge of what he is trying to say. It is not a rigid lock-step process, but most writers most of the time pass through these three stages" "That makes perfect sense! Because usually I can write an essay easy. But when it comes to drafts and revising I take more time then I do with prewriting and writing. Also, I really appreciate you guys elaborating this for me, It amazes me how passionate you all are when talking about writing!" I say Mary says "Just picking up a pen makes you part of a tradition of writers that dates thousands of years back and includes Homer and Toni Morrison and cave artists sketching buffalo. It’s a corny attitude to revere writers in this celebrity age, when even academics cry the author is dead. Go to any book award ceremony, and we’re like America’s Homeliest Video. We are the inward-looking goofballs who spill on our blouses and look befuddled in our selfies." "That actually sounds comforting. I struggle most with getting to the point, it's like I have so much to say but I don't know how. Am I the only one who has trouble with writing?" I asked eagerly. Immediately Anne says "There are probably a number of ways to tell your story right, and someone else may be able to tell you whether or not you’ve found one of these ways. The right words and sentences just do not come pouring out like ticker tape most of the time." My phone rings and it's my dad. Shoot! I say. He's already here, conversation is just getting more interesting. "I am so sorry guys I have to go but I truly extremely appreciate all of you explaining this to me! I know I've said it a hundred times, but I will keep saying it because it's true!"
6 Comments
Sabatino
2/10/2020 07:03:08 am
CIF
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Heather
2/11/2020 06:54:56 am
Good use of bolding the author's quotes and great setting.
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Andrew
2/11/2020 07:22:40 am
I like how you organized the post. Bolding the authors' quotes and spacing out the dialogue made the post very easy to read and flow nicely. I also like the idea of the conversation taking place in a coffee shop and being a lucky coincidence.
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Catalina
2/11/2020 07:24:35 am
I like how organized the post is & I also enjoyed the scene you created with the three writers! I can almost imagine it because I also work in University City.
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Erik
2/11/2020 07:43:28 am
I like that it feels like your really having a discussion with the three writers. It truly feels like an actual conversation.
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Brianna EscalanteI'll be using this page to place my blog posts throughout my English Composition I course at DCCC. ArchivesCategories |