I never fully understood how to write a proper paper. My English teacher in high school told me "A good paper can not be written in mere hours from the deadline". I thought he was crazy until I received my papers back with markings on it saying why it wasn't good. My papers were never good because I always procrastinated until the day before and rushed my work. I talked to three professional writers Don Murray, Mary Karr, and Anne Lamott about the writing process I always say "As a person that writing isn't my strongest asset I am my biggest critique." I asked the writers what do they think of the writing process. Anne thinks for a second before speaking “I have a one inch picture frame I put on my desk to remind me of short assignments.it reminds me that all I have to do is to write down as much as I can see through a one inch picture frame.” Don nodes his head as he says “The writing process itself can be divided into three stages: pre writing, writing, and rewriting. The amount of time a writer spends in each stage depends on the person.” I agree with Don's point of the three stages of writing. I believe it is very important to pre write and re write your work after because it will be mistakes that will need to be changed. Mary looks in agreement as she says "Every writer I know who's worth a damn spends way more time "losing" than "winning". This quote by Mary is perfect because you can not be successful without failing at least once in life. So instead of rushing it wait for your turn and it will come. Mary continues as she quotes the great Mark Twain by saying " The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug". Anne quietly speaks under her breath before adding “For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die.” I asked the writers how do they edit the work they think isn't the best? Anne with a big smile on her face said proudly “You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better.” “Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere. Start by getting something, anything, down on paper.” Anne said with determination to end. It was after Anne was done talking the class was over and I left the class feeling more comfortable with my writing abilities.
2 Comments
Martina Zuppo
1/31/2019 05:56:02 am
When I read this I was able to connect with your statement in the beginning that as a person not being the strongest writer that you are your biggest critique. I connected with this statement because I too am not the strongest writer and because of this I always find myself thinking my work isn't good enough, so I'll stop about two or three sentences in just to re-read it and make sure it sounds okay. I do hope the both of us can get better at this because it does cause some irritation within me doing it to every one of my writing pieces.
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Daniel Weaver-Cooke
1/31/2019 06:01:47 am
I really enjoyed how you put the writers quotes to use. It was very clear as well as interesting to read.
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Lashad WilliamsI will use this blog page to inspire the world to have fun while learning. Archives
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