Learning Journal #1
Step One: This Week’s Reflection This week, I learned a couple new things about writing and about my process as a writer. When we were brainstorming this week, I realized that I often have trouble brainstorming because I second guess myself I my ideas. I am too quick to cast off ideas because they might be too hard or might make me too vulnerable. I need to take the time to flesh out every idea I have before I decide that I don’t want to do it. I also learned that if I hit a writer’s block, I should keep writing, even if I have to write “I don’t know what to write” or “stuck” a bunch of times before I come up with something else. I also learned about literary narratives, and the characteristics they all have. They have a story about how the author became proficient at a task, a conflict, and an inclusion of what the writer learned. Step Three: My Writing Process I decided to use the bubble mapping website to map my writing process. It was the first one on the list, and it seemed easy enough to use. I really enjoyed using it. Once I get an assignment, it sticks in the back of my mind until I get started on it. This assignment anxiety actually helps me to come up with ideas. After I sleep on an idea, I typically have two or three ideas of how to do an assignment. I choose one of these ideas that is the easiest or appeals to me the most. I always want to just get the first draft over with, so I usually skip writing an outline altogether. I occasionally write out an outline on big papers or on more complicated assignments. I have always been the type of person to want to get started as soon as possible on assignments. I sit down at my computer and just go. Once I start writing, the words flow pretty easily. If I am being particularly vulnerable in a piece or I am insecure about my knowledge in a topic, I can get writer’s block. It can be hard for me to get personal with readers, especially if I know that I am getting graded on items. Anne Lamott’s piece helped m to understand that everyone feels insecure when writing. It is a roadblock that all writers need to get over in order to write their pieces. In UWP 1Y, I hope to learn to get over the insecurity and fear of bad pieced and learn to trust myself and my writing process. I avoid correcting spelling or awkward sentences until I am done. Because of this, I understand what Anne Lamott means by “shitty first drafts.” Most of my first drafts are pretty shitty. After I finish writing, I leave my computer and go do something else. This helps to clear my mind and also can help with creating ways to make the writing piece better. I typically come back to the piece after a day or so. When I come back, I read through the whole thing and edit it. I correct spelling, awkward sentences, and also will add in things that help the piece become more cohesive. After this, I usually reread the assignment to make sure I am on the right path. Once I feel I can’t edit anymore, I put away my computer and work on other things. Like before, it helps to clear my mind and come up with new ideas. I come back to the piece the next day and finish it up. If it is a longer piece or a more serious assignment I may edit for a couple more days, but I am typically pretty happy with the piece at the third go-around. I edit the piece, reread the prompt, and then turn it in!
2 Comments
Kira Vaughn
10/5/2016 08:22:30 pm
I liked how your journal had a conversational tone that was very light and casual; it walked through your experience and made it feel familiar. I also enjoyed how you were candid about your writing weaknesses and the parts of the process that may not be too pretty because it really showed that you assessed yourself. The short sentences you threw in every so often sounded a bit like commentary and made the journal entertaining to read. After reading your journal, I learned that I am not alone in avoiding topics that seem too complex or personal. Being personal is especially unsettling because it contrasts with my tendency to not be very revealing in real life and contributes to a fear of the sincerity shocking people that know me. I also learned that breaking apart the time spent on developing the paper could be beneficial because it gives you a chance to process and rejuvenate. I am interested in knowing if you have had any sort of epiphanies after stepping away from the computer that helped in your assignments. I am also intrigued by the lack of an outline in the first draft and wonder if you just come up with a basic idea of how the concepts will organize on paper as you write.
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10/13/2016 07:20:32 pm
I really like the layout of your colorful bubble map because it clearly depicts how methodical your writing process is. I learned that we both come across "writer's block" and that we often doubt our seemingly bad ideas. Similarly, I would also select one distinctive idea and use it in my essay, instead of stressing about brainstorming several ideas. I wonder about what you do to clear your mind during your breaks.
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AuthorCarly, 18, UC Davis Archives
November 2016
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