This old dog.....

As I navigate this journey through graduate school, I am continuing to struggle with the writing piece.  In an effort to continue to learn and grow, I am taking stock of my process. 

Historically I have completed my writing in the “dangerous method” style that Louise Dunlap speaks of.  The dangerous method of writing being one in which all attempts are made to create a perfect product the first time through.  This means writing and rewriting and correcting and editing as I go; painfully sitting in front of my computer practically beating my head on my desk during periods of writer’s block.  With that, I made a conscious decision to step outside of my comfort zone and change my process.  I just went for it.  I started writing what Dunlap refers to as a “mad draft” in which I wrote down my thoughts, as jumbled as they were.  I made no effort to organize them.  My intent was to write down the various points and thoughts that resonated with me throughout the readings.  Again, I just went for it.

Awkward.  That’s how it felt.  In particular I found it hard to leave typos.  Seeing the squiggly red lines throughout my writing and leaving them there was physically painful.  Okay, a few times I did go back and correct them purely out of instinct. 

What I did enjoy about the mad draft process was inserting “XXXXX” when I was thinking of a specific quote that I wanted to insert.  Rather than stalling my creative process to flip through the reading, I simply made a note of where it would be going.  Additionally, when I wasn’t able to write a clear thought I would also write “XXXXX” so that I could easily come back to it.

When I finished my mad draft I was done.  I did not go back and do any editing or make any corrections.  I walked away.  I came back to it the next day and was able to rework and edit without frustration.  Then I let it go for another day.  On the third day I was able to create a finished product without any tears or anger.

I guess this old dog can learn some new tricks…