Blog Ten

Invention Writing: Normally, I tend to procrastinate until the very last day or so before my paper is due to even start it. Prior to that, I guess since I have a guilty conscience and all, the paper or essay or whatever writing it is, is constantly on my mind. I come up with ideas regarding the piece and turn those into sentences in my head, but regardless how far ahead I get with the process in my head, I don't write it down. This process continues until I finally am forced to sit down and confront the piece, head on.

Prewriting: I used to pre-write when I had an assignment due in a class where the teacher wasn't dumb enough to realize I wrote without planning it out ahead. However, I realize, I actually like making outlines when I finally decide to write, because it really does help my ideas get organized. Depending what I'm writing about, I tend to make a pro/con list, arguing both sides and trying to decide which side can I go into the most detail. I actually never started to pre-write until my freshmen year of college when I had to write a 13-page paper for my Western Civ class. I had to figure out if history repeated ourselves given the material we covered over the course of the course. I remember sitting in the library for a good amount of hours making a pro/con list an creating an outline with the specific points to make up my thesis. I ended up changing my thesis a few times, but I always had this sheet of paper as a reference. From then on, I continued to make outlines and organized (really, all depending how important the class is or how much writing is emphasized in the class). I pre-write for clarity purposes. Seeing things on print - visually, makes it easier me to figure out what to write.

Drafting/Writing: When I finally decide to write, I spend hours and hours just trying to think of a good intro. Sometimes, it comes naturally, and other times, it can take a few hours. If I'm completely satisfied with my intro, I'm able to write the rest of my paper in one shot. Last semester, I had a paper due in World Lit about the Individual v. Society in the novels, The Stranger and The Death of Ivan Ilych. I knew exactly what I wanted to argue in the body of the paper, but it really took me several hours to even find a good first sentence for the introduction. To me, I feel like the beginning is everything - it sets the tone for you paper and states the most important part: your thesis. If your intro isn't right, pretty much, the rest of the paper won't be - so, I'm pretty hesitant about writing anything that has a crappy start. For me, I get to show off my writing style and voice in the intro (especially in academic writing), because the body is just filled with facts and supporting evidence. Also, when I write and really hit a stride, there is no turning back. I don't stop to overthink what I write (surprisingly) I just go with whatever pops in my head and type away. However, this rarely happens, seeing I have a rather small attention span. When I hit a speed bump, I stop writing altogether and wait until the time is right again. I'd either take a nap or wait until the middle of the night, before I continue writing. I just know when the momentum is lost, the moment is gone and all I really do is wait for it to come back.

Revising: This used to be my favorite part of the writing process, because I (freakishly) love correcting and editing papers. I realized with the literacy narrative, I'm not totally on top of this, but I'm still learning. When I revise, I read the paper/essay over and if I like it, it'll keep it, but if not, there's a good chance I'll toss it. I remember writing a paper, actually in my freshmen English Comp class about typical male movies and absolutely hating it. I basically did my first draft just to get it done and I wasn't proud with what I did at all. Eventually, I settled down, rewrote the entire paper and got an A. (Dr. Chandler: Do you remember this paper? This is actually one of my favorite papers I wrote). If I don't have the time to rewrite it, I follow a basic routine I've made for the past few years. First, I read, grammatical corrections, reread, get rid of sentences that don't make sense or aren't necessary, replace them with ones that do, reread, reorganize (if necessary), and repeat. I've learned that revision is an endless stage, but it needs to end somewhere eventually.

Blog Nine

Having read this before, I really wasn't expecting my reaction to change (last time I thought it was barely interesting). Maybe because I actually read it this time (instead of skimming through it - sorry), I loved it. I found Elbow very relatable - he definitely knows how to appeal to a lazy college student. One of my favorite statements he said is a student can always learn how to write without a teacher. Not only does it support the title of his text, but it's so true (regarding the process of writing). To me, writing disregards the teacher, it really is just about the writer and his/her thoughts. Another point Elbow makes is how freewriting has the ability to liberate one's inner editor. I definitely have a problem with just being able to write whatever I choose, because I have a tendency to overthink virtually everything. Elbow not only points out exactly WHY i edit during the writing process, but gives a way to correct it - through freewriting. Overall, Elbow states the most important factor about writing is just writing. Letting it all go (and letting it flow) onto the paper, without worrying about correctness nor grammar.

Blog 8

Growing up in a somewhat-traditional sort-of-Indian household, education has always been my priority. When I was first introduced to writing, it seemed like it was just another subject to excel at. It was like math, but with letters instead of numbers. But, it was basic - too simple to be interesting. However, I continued to follow my teachers’ lessons on writing and grammar, but didn’t care about the content of the writing. At the same time, I didn’t speak. I hated to talk in groups or even one-on-one to a stranger. I’d talk normally to my close friends and direct family, but mumbled when asked a question in my classes. So, when I was given my first creative writing assignment, it was astonishing how much I had to say. At first, writing was the voice I lacked, all the words I wasn’t able to say aloud was conveyed so fluently on a piece of paper. As my academic career progressed, writing became more definitive to me. Originally, it served as a source of communication, but as time went on, it turned into a form of expression.

I was incredibly shy as a kid. I’d hide behind my mom or dad when being introduced to someone, or whisper in my mom’s ear to have her say the words I didn’t have the confidence to say myself. I was considered the “mute” in my family and my class. The game ‘telephone’ always comes to my mind when I had to communicate to someone outside my circle of friends. I’d say something to someone to tell to someone else, which, in turn, told the message to the destined recipient. Of course, if you’ve played this game, the original message always was misinterpreted, so my form of communication was limited. I chose not to speak and I wasn’t too fond of writing. Eventually, something had to give.

My fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Gilbert, asked our class to write a short story on, of what I recall, a rock. I thought it was incredibly dumb at first. Who can come up with an amazing story about a rock? Well, turns out, I could. When my idea hit me, I wrote and filled up not a page, not even two or three pages, but seven full pages about a schoolgirl who discovers a magical rock that grants her three wishes her heart desires. Probably due to my obsession with Disney movies as a child, the story was similar to the plot from Aladdin. Regardless, I was exceptionally proud of myself and amazed at what I was able to do with only a few pieces of paper, a pen, and my thoughts. Mrs. Gilbert continued to give us creative writing assignments and I continued to write my stories. The more I wrote, the more I “spoke.” I found a comfort in writing, a confidence that speech was never able to provide.

Writing helped me transition speech into my main form of communication within the next couple of years. It doesn’t count for much, but being unable to talk to my best friend during class, we wrote ridiculously long notes to one another. And since I wasn’t able to convey my personality through speech, it had to shine through my writing. In these notes, my sense of humor appeared quirkier and all my stories seemed more dramatic than they originally were (which explains why I’m such a drama queen today). I was no longer the shy, quiet girl in my writing, but rather an obnoxious, quite humorous teenager (or preteen at that time). Oddly enough, the personality in my writing was carried into reality. Writing helped me bring out the other side of my personality and in essence, induced another source of communication.

At this time, I had the opportunity to see the writer I was, meaning, I had a clearer perception to the person I wanted to be. Being able to distance myself from my writing and see not only the content, but also my style and tone, helped me transition that into my speech. My writing (at that time) had an obvious charisma and charm, which I strangely admired. I wanted to portray my same “self” in my writing to my “self” in reality. Soon enough, life imitated art and I took on the same personality my writing carried. Writing was no longer a source of communication for me, but rather, a form of expression. Eventually, everything flip-flopped and found it’s rightful place: writing was no longer the spokesperson for my personality, but rather a reflection of it.

Others began to notice this change in my character. Over time, people were able to visualize me when reading one of my texts, or even an essay for English class. I’ve heard it on more than a few occasions where peers and teachers would say, “I could definitely see you saying what you wrote.” My transition from verbal communication to oral communication was ultimately successful, in that sense. My personality was able to shine through two mediums, a feat that was nearly impossible for me a few years back.

It wasn’t until my junior year in high school when I realized the type of writer I had the potential to be. I was taught by the most amazing English teacher, who’s every little writing peeve was instilled and engraved in my head and subconscious. I was more aware of what I wanted to say and took my time to write it. I clarified all my thoughts before I even picked up a pen. I made sure to be as simple and precise as possibly, without being redundant and babbly. It shaped me to be a better writer in more than one aspect. My writing became clearer and less wordy, while still maintaining its “voice” and it helped develop my on-growing love for editing.

However, due to my English teacher, another aspect of writing was manifested within me. Now able to see the simplicity and clarity in writing, it helped me become an avid reviser. Being such a critical person, it was an easy way of taking a negative aspect of my personality and bringing it to a positive light. Instead of hurting people by telling them their obvious flaws, I offended them in a less apparent and more effective way. It was my way of taking control of a situation. In a sense, editing was my form of rehearsing. I didn’t get to edit what comes out of my mouth (which has always been a problem for me), but I did get to decide what goes on a piece of paper. I had the ability to do it over and over again repeatedly until it’s right - until it’s finally perfect. The control in editing was more appealing than the editing itself. I was able to fix everything with a cross out and replace it with words a bit more powerful.

It was only a few days ago when I edited my last paper. I was actually having a pretty terrible day and being able to make right of all these wrongs on a piece of paper made me overwhelmingly happy. The paper was appalling when I first read it. It had no focus, an extreme lack of organization, and it was filled with irrelevant evidence. After spending a good amount of hours fixing it up, I managed to get my friend an A-. He wasn’t entirely happy when she aw the amount of scratch-marks and writing all over the page, but when he got his grade back, he was more than pleased. Editing allowed me to take my negative energy and turn it into one that’s beneficial, for the writer and myself.

Seemingly, writing actually molded my personality. After being able to define the person I wanted to be, I was able to achieve it. Over the years, writing helped me develop as a person. When I was shy, writing brought out my inner confidence and when I felt too arrogant, writing helped me tone my personality down. Because of writing, I am a clearer, thoughtful speaker (and person). My relationship with writing has taken a few hits and blows, but it has never failed me. Whether I use it as a form of communication or as a form of expression, writing is there. It’s my words, my voice, and my personality. Writing, essentially, is part of who I am and who I aspire to be.

Blog 6

The writing process for my literacy narrative was pretty unusual, compared to the way I typically go about writing. There wasn't any planning or organization, a small amount of freewriting, and (surprisingly) very little editing. Maybe because this piece was centered on me, writing it came not only naturally, but very comfortably. My prewriting stage consisted mostly of answering the prompts, but unfortunately, I didn't get much out of it (probably due to the fact that I changed my focus last minute). However, the prompts really did help me retrieve a few memories that once escaped me. The writing stage itself contained my usual habits. My biggest writing quirk is the time of day I write. I do my best writing after midnight, when there's guaranteed to be nothing on TV and no one is up for me to talk to. Virtually, there aren't any distractions, just my laptop (Facebook does provide a small distraction), myself, and a small cup of coffee. So, it was nothing new when I woke up at 1 after the Superbowl madness to do my writing.

Normally, I go all out and get a bit crazy when I get to the revising stage (What can I say? editing really does make me happy). But, maybe since it was three in the morning and my brain couldn't function anymore, I was oddly laid-back about editing at that point. I knew my narrative wasn't perfect, but I felt the minute I fixed a sentence (or even a word for that matter), my OCD was going to kick in, and soon enough - the whole narrative was going to get shredded to pieces.

I do plan on editing like a madman this weekend and I will definitely enjoy it!

Blog 5

Okay, so I changed the focus to one that's definitely better-suited. I'm hoping this is what you asked for? Enjoy, regardless.

Growing up in a somewhat-traditional sort-of-Indian household, education has always been my priority. When I was first introduced to writing, it seemed like it was just another subject to excel at. It was like math, but with letters instead of numbers. But, it was basic - too simple to be interesting. Regardless, I continued to follow my teachers’ lessons on writing and grammar, but didn’t care about the content of the writing. At the same time, I didn’t speak. I hated to talk in groups or even one-on-one to a stranger. I’d talk normally to my close friends and direct family, but mumbled when asked a question in my classes. So, when I was given my first creative writing assignment, it was astonishing how much I had to say. Writing was the voice I lacked, all the words I wasn’t able to say aloud was conveyed so fluently on a piece of paper. Writing was, and still is, my main form of communication.

I was incredibly shy as a kid. I’d hide behind my mom or dad when being introduced to someone, or whisper in my mom’s ear to have her say the things I didn’t have the confidence to say myself. I was considered the “mute” in my family and my class. The game ‘telephone’ always comes to my mind when I had to communicate to someone outside my circle of friends. I’d say something to someone to tell to someone else, which, in turn, told the message to the destined recipient. Of course, if you’ve played this game, the original message always was misinterpreted, so my form of communication was limited. I chose not to speak and I wasn’t too fond of writing. Eventually, something had to give.

My fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Gilbert, asked our class to write a short story on, of what I recall, a rock. I thought it was incredibly dumb at first. Who can come up with an amazing story about a rock? Well, turns out, I could. When my idea hit me, I wrote and filled up not a page, not even two or three pages, but seven full pages about a schoolgirl who discovers a magical rock that grants her three wishes her heart desires. I was exceptionally proud of myself and amazed at what I was able to do with only a few pieces of paper, a pen, and my thoughts. Mrs. Gilbert continued to give us creative writing assignments and I continued to write my stories. The more I wrote, the more I “spoke.” I found a comfort in writing, a confidence that speech was never able to provide.

Writing helped me transition speech into my main form of communication within the next couple of years. It doesn’t count for much, but being unable to talk to my best friend during class, we wrote ridiculously long notes to one another. And since I wasn’t able to convey my personality through orally, it had to shine through verbally. In these notes, my sense of humor appeared quirkier and all my stories seemed more dramatic than they originally were (which explains why I’m such a drama queen today). I was no longer the shy, quiet girl in my writing, but rather an obnoxious, quite humorous teenager (or preteen at that time). Oddly enough, the personality in my writing was carried into reality. My life began to imitate my words and soon enough, I was the girl who couldn’t shut up in class. Writing helped me bring out the other side of my personality and in essence, induced another source of communication.

Since I was now christened a “chatterbox,” my writing gradually declined. I now had the confidence to speak, so why waste my words on print? However, as cliché as it sounds, the words that really mattered, I couldn’t say aloud. So naturally, I put them on paper. I remember getting into a huge fight with my mom during my freshmen year of high school and we didn’t speak to each other for a couple of weeks. We were both way too proud to ever think of uttering the words “I’m sorry” to one another, so I had to get creative. I went back to my old form of communication and wrote her story about a daughter who doesn’t know how to literally function without her mom. Knowing how both my mom and I are, I’m pretty sure an “I’m sorry” would’ve assuaged the situation for a couple of days, but my story had both an immediate and long-lasting effect. Even after I’ve distanced myself from writing for over a year, it was still a crucial medium in my life.

It wasn’t until my junior year in high school when I realized the type of writer I had the potential to be. I was taught by one of the best English teachers, who’s every little writing peeve was instilled and engraved in my head and subconscious. I was more aware of what I wanted to say and took my time to write it. I clarified all my thoughts before I even picked up a pen. I made sure to be as simple and precise as possibly, without being redundant and babbly. It shaped me to be a writer, although again, it did have an effect on my speech, this time in a not so positive way. Instead of saying whatever was on my mind, I took my time to voice my thoughts. While I can spend all the time in the world thinking about what to write with no virtual affects, nobody was patient enough to listen to what I had to say. So again, I shied away, not willing to waste anyone’s time, but my own. For the second time in my life, writing became my main form of communication and stayed that way into the present.

To this day, I can’t go a day without some form of writing. Whether it’s updating my status of Facebook or Twitter, or jotting down a quick short story I come up with during the day, I write. My relationship with writing has taken a few hits and blows, but its function has never changed. My pen takes on what my vocal chords sometimes fail to do and it succeeds every time. Writing is my voice.

Blog 4 (In-class blog)

I’m not entirely sure if this counts as a focus or not, but while reflecting over my narratives, I noticed a change in the way I value writing. When I was younger, I saw writing as a greater form of expression. I wrote more about my experiences, which, in turn, helped me cope with these experiences. Now, as an adult, I value writing at an academic level. Fortunately, I can pinpoint the exact moment where writing changed for me. In my household, my parents valued education more than anything else. If something wasn’t beneficial to our education – what was the point of it? So, it makes sense that writing wasn’t (it couldn’t be) just an art. Although I’ve learned in elementary school the structure and syntax of writing, I didn’t fully understand (nor care) about its value – I just wanted to write. In my junior year of high school, writing showed its academic value to me. My English teacher and the books I read during this year changed my view of writing.

My Writing Process:
Typically, before I write anything down, I brainstorm. It doesn’t matter what I’m writing for (or for whom), I need to organize all my thoughts on a separate piece of paper before anything. From there, I write my first draft on a piece of paper (to me it’s so much easier to cross things out than to press the backspace or delete button). Writing on paper first allows me to further coordinate my ideas, before I decide to type it up. From there, I start my writing. I can spend a whole day perfecting my introduction and do the rest of my writing in about half that time. If I can’t get the perfect introduction, I won’t go any further. After I'm completely satisfied with my intro, everything else just flows. When I'm finally done, I edit and edit and edit.

Blog 3

Ong's "Writing is a Technology that Restructures Thought" focuses on the theory that writing is a form of technology that humans have interiorized. Ong first states the impact writing has in an oral world. Due to the presence of writing, the value of speech has decreased, memory is relied upon less people, and words are no longer articulate, but artificial and unnatural. Ong goes on to say this "artificialness" is not a wholly negative characteristic. Since writing is artificial, it has the ability to separate, divide, and distance (which he recognizes in his fourteen points) and also the capability to unite. This paradoxical trait of writing raises consciousness and creates an intimacy more articulate than the oral world. Ong concludes writing is not as intrusive as Plato makes it seem, but necessary for the benefit of society.