How You Write
This week on our blog, let's take a break from image/text analysis and talk about how you write. Since your first short essay assignment is coming up, I'd like to hear a bit about your writing process--your rituals and habits. What kind of non-assignment-related writing do you do, what do you get out of it, and how does it affect your academic writing? Diary, letters, lyrics, poetry, email, IM, blog...? What sort of environment do you write in? Home in bed, desk in the library, cafe...? Middle of the night or mornings? Music? What kind? What sort of apparatus do you use? Longhand, legal pads, notecards, computer, quill, pencil, pen or keyboard...? What other processes help you to write? Snacks, coffee, friends, parents, starting at the end, talking out loud, doodling...? Most importantly, in what specific ways do these things affect your thinking and your writing?
Also, please purchase Writing Analytically as soon as you can, as we will be using it throughout the semester. Ned's had 4 copies and the Cal bookstore had 1 as of this afternoon--and more are on the way. Barnes and Nobles has it for cheaper.
posted by Irene Chien @ 6:21 PM
17 comments
17 Comments:
Since school has started, I’ve been recording my college journeys, song lyrics, random lines of poetry, and other kinds of gibberish in a good ole’ trusty journal. I seem to have lots of ideas flowing in the evening when I start reflecting on my day’s adventures. I usually just lay in bed and start recording the day’s events and then I go on a tangent and start writing about something completely different. I even started my own dream notepad that I leave beside my bed for any dreams I can recall the morning after. From my notes I can sometimes construct logical essay theses or topics to discuss with friends. I have pretty interesting dreams…
I also converse with a penpal on postcards every so often. As a child of the modern age, I prefer typing letters on the computer opposed to writing them with a pen or pencil, but I will give in if I must. When I was in high school I used to write my own personal column for the local city newspaper. Because I was granted a great deal of leniency with my topic choice and style of writing, it had a profound effect on my writing in school. It became really difficult to be analytically objective about certain manuscripts and topics since I had been very used to writing from my personal teenage point of view. Since school has begun, I’m getting back into my academically-inclined writing style when working on my essays. When preparing for term papers, I always do a “braindump”. This is basically a brainstorm where I write constantly for a good 5 minutes, “dumping” all my ideas on the essay prompt from my brain onto the paper. I organize my notes into logical categories of discussion, then I start on an essay outline. I love writing… it’s very refreshing.
I do not do much non-assignment writing unless it is for my sports forum. I do it because everyone has a same interest in sports and it is a cool place to see other people's opinion and to express mine. I write in the lounge in our dorm because usually my labtop gets in the way of my table and the lounge is usually quiet. I also write whenever I can. I usually listen to my music when I am thinking of how to start a paper but never while writing because it distracts me. I don't write things down when I think, which I think I should do, but when i get an idea i just start writing on my labtop. I think if i wrote more things down on paper i would be a lot better off. If i put my ideas on paper my papers would come out better. To me my music relaxes me before I write, but once I start writing I need full concentration on my paper and so i cannot listen to music.
I also need help with the essay. I do not understand what we are supposed to be writing about. Any help would be much appreciated. Email me at neilylin@berkeley.edu or neilnba@hotmail.com. Thanks and please help. :)
Neilson, don't worry about the 1st essay--I will hand out the assignment on Friday with topics for you to choose from and review it in detail, plus you will have 1 full week to write the rough draft and then another week to revise based on feedback from in-class peer editing workshops. However, I encourage you all to help each other in the essay-writing process! And you are always welcome to visit me during office hours (M 11-2pm) if you get stuck or would like to discuss any aspect of the course materials or assignments.
My writing process is one that is normal I guess? Haha… I usually write on paper or type it on a computer so mainly I do most of my writing on a desk. Other types of writing I do are basically email and IM. I don’t usually listen to music while I am writing because it seems to draw my attention away from the assignment but there are certain exceptions at times. When I am actually writing something down I don’t usually eat or talk. Whenever I look my train of thought or am stuck I would just relax and set the assignment aside for awhile. Well yeah, I guess that explains the process of my writing.
I usually write on-line, whether it's an e-mail, aim, or my personal blog. As a result, I usually have to very carefully edit my formal essays because I continue to use slang and colloquial terms. I never use a pen and paper if I can use my computer because I usually change everything around as I write, and the delete button is easier and neater. In order for me to write formal papers, I need silence. If I listen to music or a conversation near by, I have been known to type what I overhear instead of what I’m thinking. I’m a very nitpicky writer, so papers usually take me a lot longer than other people. I do work faster under pressure, but usually my papers aren’t as good even by my standards. So I try to begin essays as soon as possible.
Oh me, oh my, I love non-assignment related writing. Last year, I would take great joy in writing long winded emails of complaint and commentary to my GSI. I would have loved channeling that unbridled energy into a formal English Class, but I was booted off the waitlist two semesters in a row. I also enjoy a blog I've established, where I daily complain about the People's Republic of Berkeley (a blog is a man's diary, because "journal" even sounds sorta gay these days - oops, politically incorrect - I enjoy that too). I've also dabbled (not lately) in creative writing and screenwriting, but this bum-hut called Berkeley has stifled my creativity (well, not really). As far as my academic papers are concerned, I usually end up writing them at like 4 in the morning, because the adrenaline and pressure gets my energy up thus more passion and vigor, and what not. In my frenzy to complete my assignment, I make love to what I'm writing - savor it, for written communication can be as orgasmic as sexual communication. I can work during the evening before the assignment is due, but that usually requires a few shots of the Captain. To start my writing, I sit Indian Style in the middle of the bed, in a t-shirt and boxers, accompanied by a coke (with ice) and a notepad. Like a Buddhist, I meditate violently on the topic and write it all down on said notepad. Sometimes I'll call my parents, who will yell at me for five minutes (at 3am), and proceed to provide great ideas (unfortunately I'm much dumber than they are). Then, using those ideas I've created in a whirlwind meditation, I grab another coke, continue to sit Indian Style, and then type the thing. And when I'm done, I feel so very good, and reward myself by leaving Berkeley
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Hey, those of you who have blogs or forums, why not post the urls? If you'd prefer to keep them private that's no problem, and no one is required to read or respond to them, but it would be great to open up your outside-of-class writing avenues to the rest of us if you are willing.
I have many outlets for writing. When it’s more of everyday recollections, I do it online in a blog. I usually just type random thoughts and events that happened in the day. It’s very nice just to have something online that you would always be able to access and relive old memories and experiences, no matter your location (provided there is some wireless around for your laptop to steal).
However, when I’m at a café, I begin writing on napkins about random and more serious thoughts that go through my head. I find that the atmosphere allows me to reflect on a lot of various thoughts that I can only express through a pen and napkin. Often times, I’m not too sure how my random scribbles on a napkin may help me with my thinking, but I feel that these types of writing allow me to express my thoughts more clearly and help me develop the writing style that I use in academic writings.
When I’m writing essays, I get really comfortable in my PJ’s, often times just wrapping a blanket around myself and typing non-stop a random spew of thoughts. Music is not something that helps my writing process, but randomly I will find inspiration from it when I’m not working on the project. I always have post-its around my bed, to record the random tid-bits of thoughts my mind spontaneously thinks up while trying to fall asleep. But I believe that every essay and every writing assignment is different, but this is as close to categorizing my writing process as I can get.
For the most part I do not consider myself a writer. I'm a very technical person with a stronger background in the sciences than the humanities. However, I love keeping journals. It is the most therapeutic thing I do for myself. I like writing down my thoughts and experiences at the end of the day. I find it fun (and sometimes embarrassing) to look back on how my life has progressed through the years. As a college student a lot of my writing time is spent corresponding with people through e-mails and instant messages, but I also like to send cards. I feel that physically writing with a pen and paper is a lost art, and it's nice to receive things in the mail other than bills. Since most of the writing that I do is to express myself, it can be difficult for me to write about topics that I'm not particularly passionate about. I find it easiest to write a paper on my laptop at my desk while listening to calming music.
The only substantial amount of non-assignment writing I do is journaling. I usually do this just to get all my thoughts down, and often, it helps me to let out all my feelings, worries, etc. When I journal, it’s almost always at home, in my bed. Mostly I write at night, but I feel comfortable writing at anytime of the day.
However, when I write papers for class, I like to start in the afternoon and work all the way until evening because I like to finish a rough draft in one sitting. Before writing, it helps me to brainstorm. I just write any thoughts or ideas I have about the topic and I use those to construct an outline. If I’m writing longhand, I always use pen. But for the most part, I put my thoughts directly onto the computer. I also always need a quiet environment when I write; I don’t want to get distracted from possible ideas I might have.
Brainstorming helps me a lot. Even though all my thoughts may not make sense, it’s good to just have every little thing down on paper so I won’t lose any possible ideas or arguments. Also, spending a long period of time just thinking and writing helps me to focus. It’s important for me not to procrastinate because it always takes me a really long period of time to actually write an essay.
I don't really do much writing outside of assignments, just the occasional IM or e-mail. For any formal writing, I wouldnt say my habits are the best. I usually start whenever I feel like I'm in the mood (day before it's due) and it's normally with either music or TV. I get distracted easily, which doesn't help because it takes me a long time to come up with any ideas. I try to brainstorm before writing, but I usually burn through those ideas pretty quickly and end up stuck for a long time.
Probably the only non-assigned writings I do are in the form of email. Of my emails, the vast majority are formal and specific, and in them I put a lot of effort into using proper grammar and spelling. Usually when I write it is on my laptop in my room or the library. I mostly write late at night, since I find that to be the time when I focus best. There is always noise in my house, but if I am in the library I play music on my headphones to fill the void.
Most essays I write very mechanically, typing ideas and evidence in bullet form as they come to me so I don't loose them. Once I have my points written down, I cut and past them into a sensible order and edit it into a coherent essay.
I rarely do non-assignment-related writing. The most I do outside of assignments is the occasional email and keeping contact with friends through IM. I write as though I’m speaking in these cases. The most important thing I keep in mind is not to write this way for assignments and formal writing. However, these short stints of informal writing help me formulate my ideas when I ask for help. All I need to write is a comfortable environment, preferably my bed, some nice mellow music, and my writing tablet. I first start off with a list of ideas and then form an outline and hope a thesis pops out somewhere in the process. When I get writers’ block, I usually go for a walk, grab some food, or watch some TV. Usually it frees up the jam, but depending on my mood and the current situations running through my life, there have been cases where I just can’t get my thoughts and words flowing. I think the greatest effect is the time factor. Otherwise, I haven’t noticed any major effects.
Before this school year began, I didn’t do a lot of non-assignment-related writing. I sometimes wrote to people through MSN instant messaging, but that was the extent of my non-school writing. However, since this school year began, I’ve begun to write in a journal because it’s one of the assignments for my freshman seminar. I guess that means that the journal could be considered non-assignment-related writing, but I had already decided to begin a journal before it was assigned, and I consider the fact that it’s assigned just a motivation for me to actually continue to write in my journal. I’ve also begun to write letters to my family and friends who I don’t get to see everyday anymore. I prefer to write actual concrete letters because it makes it feel more personal and I like that snail-mail is encourages you to be more formal and careful about your writing.
I think instant messaging has made it more difficult for me to write an essay sometimes. For example, when I instant message, I use ellipses to represent a pause in what I’m saying, so that instead of writing a comma, I always want to write three periods in a row.
I usually write late at night because I usually leave everything to the last minute. However, I’ve found that the pressure of having to finish writing and the silence that comes from it being late, help me. I also used to write at the kitchen table at home because I liked having space to spread out my papers and books on the table, but now that I don’t have a kitchen, I write at my desk in my dorm room.
I don’t really have a preference as to writing with or without music. If I’m writing on my computer, I usually do have music, but since I prefer to write with a pencil, I don’t always listen to music. I like to write with a pencil because I’m very indecisive and I like to go back and change sentences that I think can be improved. I do eat snacks while I write because I find that it helps me stay awake, and I used to talk out loud, but I don’t anymore because my roommate is usually already asleep and because I don’t want her to think I’m crazy.
It’s probably not good that I wait until the last minute to write because I won’t have as much time to come up with as many ideas. However, since I’m so used to writing at the last minute, I don’t think I would be able to come up with anything if I did have time because I would keep thinking that I don’t have to, since I have so much more time to do it. Hmm...is it just me, or is my entry really long?:)
I do a LOT of writing. I used to keep a journal, a daily task that quickly turned into a weekly task and so on until I couldn't do it anymore. I think writing is something someone has to be compelled to do in order to do it well. People who see writing as tedious or a chore tend to write very mechanically and blandly, making the end result stale and banal. I try to do a lot of creative writing. Poetry, in my opinion, is the best form of writing a person can do because it's the most personal, the most unique, and it requires a certain amount of passion. All writing should be as expressive as possible, and poetry is, by far, the most reliable place to start.
Apart from poetry, I like to write screenplays. Screenwriting is my real passsion. Writing scripts allows me to create worlds, characters, events, and interactions the way I want to. Although it's difficult, writing stories is a great challenge and a great way to improve writing ability.
Most of the writing I do, expect for poetry, is on the computer. I just sit there and type.... Not very interesting, but I find it very helpful to simultaneously listen to music and watch the little music visualization thing. To write well, I find it best to displace myself from everything around me and drift, so to speak, into a personal mental place.
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