This is the official second blog post! Here is an attempt at writing a short story. I still would like to revise and fix this, but here the current level I am at writing wise. Learning more about the writing process through these readings has helped a lot with this assignment.
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 (Anne Lamott) I'm sitting here on the couch in the family room, trying to finish piecing together my second blog post for English Composition I. I'm about to listen to a live podcast. As I turn the volume up, I can hear familiar murmurs start to get louder and clearer. The host announces three guest 'stars' as Don Murray, Mary Karr, and Anne Lamott. After these names were said, I remembered that the podcast took calls, like a radio station would. I called as quick as possible and hoped my call would get through. "Hello? Who are we speaking to?" Anne Lamott's voice came through on the other end. I realized this is perfect since i have writer's block. "Hi! I'm Jaime Moore. I can't believe I get to talk to you three. The reason I called in was, if you don't mind, to ask you all a few questions? I'm working on an assignment for English and I figured I'd ask for help since I have a little writers block." Don Murray spoke up next, "You may ask questions. We'd be happy to answer them all." "How do you get started with writing?" I asked right away. Anne Lamott speaks, "Just get it all down on paper because there may be something great in those six crazy pages that you would never have gotten by more rational, grown-up means." Mary Karr nodded in agreement and said, "Let your mind roam down some alleys that may land in dead ends - thats the nature of the process." After hearing the two speak, I felt I understood why starting that way would be helpful. I quickly move on as to not waste any time. "Okay so next question is for Don Murray." I then added with a small laugh, "anyone can of course. Is there a set way to do this? Any rules?" "There are no rules, no absolutes, just alternatives. What works one time may not another. All writing is experimental." Don said carefully. Mary Karr popped back into the conversation responding quickly, "In the beginning, when there are zero pages, you have to cheer yourself into cranking stuff out, even if it later lands on the cutting room floor. Each page takes you somewhere you need to travel before you can land in the next spot." Hearing the same thing in two different ways helps me understand better. "I like that with writing we can just write, there are no rules. I don't want to take up too much of your time so here are two final questions." " First, since there are no rules, can I still expect a first draft to look good?" Anne Lamott clearly states, "The first draft is the child's draft, where you let it all pour out and then let it romp all over the place, knowing that no one is going to see it and that you can shape it later." I mumbled 'interesting' as Don Murray went, "Writing is the act of producing a first draft. It is the fastest part of the process, and the most frightening, for it is a commitment." I like hearing the two different opinions. I like that Don is so honest and relatable with the fact that the first draft is most definitely frightening because you dont want anyone to read it. I moved on to the last question. "What advice about the writing process would you give to anyone listening to the podcast? Whether it be teachers of students." Don started, eager to leave I assume, " Instead of teaching finished writing, we should teach unfinished writing and glory in its unfinishedness." Anne followed, " One writer I know tells me that he sits down every morning and says to himself nicely, 'It's not like you don't have a choice, because you do - you can either type or kill yourself." She laughed after the last part. I like how there is humor to that but it does go along with the process. There are different ways people cope, or get through their writing, and a little motivational phrase helps. It may even help with the thinking process of, calm down, and breathe. You do have a choice, maybe not to that extreme, but again, anything helps. Mary Karr then finishes off the podcast with a refreshing piece of advice, "Remind yourself that revising proves your care for the reader and the nature of your ambition." I smiled, even though I know they cannot see me, and said goodbye. "Thank you so much for answering my questions. I'm ready to do this."
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Jaime M.I'd like to think I'm outgoing, but I know for a fact that I'm nice! Enjoy the website! ArchivesCategories |