I am a huge procrastinator. I typically begin writing the day (often the night) before. I require a relatively quiet place with a little background noise. I often start at the library and move to my house once the library has closed. An excessive amount of caffeine in the form of Diet Coke is consumed along with Sour Patch Kids candy. This deadly concoction of sugar and caffeine is an essential component of my writing process. However, the most important part of my writing process is the pressure of an impending deadline.
I hate my writing process; it leaves me exhausted. If any were to evaluate my writing process they would more than likely suggest that I start earlier maybe even complete an outline. Unfortunately, I need the pressure in order to write. An early start typically leaves me staring at a blank computer screen trying to rewrite my first sentence over and over and over again until it is perfect. The pressure of an impending deadline is necessary for me to get overcome the first sentence and a desire for perfection. My writing is never going to be perfect. I idealize what I think my writing could be resulting in writer’s block and many futile rewrites. Time constraints allow me to overcome this hurdle and begin to write.
My writing process is not quite as terrible as I have depicted it. Although I don’t develop outlines I do engage in a lot of pre-writing. Prior to sitting at my computer I have done all of my research ant thought a lot about my argument and the information I plan to use to support it. I think I could improve my writing process if I could do some actual pre-writing. An outline referencing all of my supporting research could definitely make the writing process smoother. I will have to try and see what happens.
2 comments:
Outlines can help avoid that last minute deadline push, Andrea. You will find as you get older that the price of the deadline high will become less bearable. I acknowledge of course that at your age you can still probably run at this high paced level for a good many more years. But eventually you will want a more even pace, which for me means a little writing at a time, with occasional periods of a big push when ideas are clicking.
I like how this post starts with "I'm a huge procrastinator", and dates from almost two months ago:). Is anyone's writing process not exhausting? I come out tired from every kind of writing. Fiction, academic...it all blasts me out.
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