The most interesting aspect about the writing process is that it differs from person to person. Isn’t it amazing how brains work so differently that one person can be listening to loud music while another needs complete silence? Throughout my entire educational experience my writing process has somewhat stayed similar.
The first part of my writing process, with the exception of this semester, is to hand write a version of my paper. This version is not focused on grammar or punctuation, it’s simply just writing all of my thoughts down into one draft. This is an important step for me because for some reason I get awful writer's block when I’m using the computer to begin writing. (Not exactly related but I also have to hand write notes in order to remember them). Also when using a computer you’re more focused on arranging the cohesive sentences with accurate spelling and grammar, while on paper you can just freely write your thoughts and worry about grammar and punctuation later.
Here is a very interesting link to a website that provides benefits of handwriting. I thought it was intriguing.
https://vanillapapers.net/2019/07/29/9-powerful-benefits-writing-by-hand/
The next step to my writing process is to start typing the paper slowly onto the computer, while changing the long flow of ideas into cohesive sentences. Then, because of not knowing how many pages handwritten exactly equals typed, usually I have to either add or take away parts. This writing step is usually the longest and hardest for me because it can be difficult when you have an idea but you can’t accurately explain it well in formal writing.
Lastly, I print the paper out and do handwritten corrections on the paper and then I retype it. I usually go through and read it on the computer a couple times before printing it out. If I have the time I like to read it out loud because sometimes mistakes are missed if the paper is not read out loud.
While reflecting on this semester, I would say the step in my writing process that lacked was the last one. Although I couldn’t hand-write this semester, I feel as though I adapted relatively quickly to this way of writing. The surprising part of the last step being so challenging this semester is that all the other semesters it was always the second step I struggled with. This semester I think there was just so much in my personal life that constrained how much time I had to look over the papers, which I am hoping in the future I can improve in managing time between both.
I've never thought about handwriting my actual first drafts of an essay before. I definitely handwrite outlines and notes of what I want to say almost every time I write, but wow. That might actually be a super smart way of doing things... By handwriting it first, like you said, you are more worried about getting content on paper, then you can take that draft and rewrite it out to see what needs to be added or cut. This really aligns with Harris' chapter on revision, as well as every writing class I've ever taken. I might just try this out next time I go to write something. Great ideas, Hannah!
ReplyDeleteIt’s honestly just some thing that I remember doing since the third grade and I guess it just stuck. In the public school that I went to we didn’t really use computers until high school, so by the time computers in our school were prominent I already had a specific writing process. I remember in elementary and middle school we would do a rough draft written in pencil in our final written in ink!
DeleteWow, Hannah: our processes sound so similar! Like you said, there is lots of diversity in how people write--and we sometimes also have to adapt to changing/challenging circumstances, too.
ReplyDeleteAt first when I started reading, I was like writing by hand??? How does she manage! And then I remembered I have rheumatoid arthritis, LOL. Your process is super interesting to me because it's so different from mine, but also is very similar to some things we learned throughout the class, like how younger people tend not to print out drafts, but that used to be the norm (I'd really barely ever considered it at all). What we do have in common though is re-typing! This is a step I do on unpublished drafts, especially if I'm struggling with a part or, god forbid, don't have a dedicated editor. I never print it out first, but I will absolutely re-type it entirely. It's amazing how much stuff you catch doing that, but boy is it time consuming!
ReplyDeleteThat (retyping without printing out) is so interesting! It also makes sense that it would "work" for catching/remembering stuff.
DeleteSo interesting, Hannah! I don't write my whole draft on paper anymore, but I do outlines and take notes and I carry a notebook in my purse or car with me everywhere I go that contains brainstorming notes and ideas that come to mind wherever I am. I also use my Notes app like it's going out of style.
ReplyDeleteI also keep a running list of notes at the bottom of whatever document I'm typing.
It really is neat to see all the different ways that we write.