My Writing Process

When I first get a writing assignment, it sits in the back of my mind for a few days, especially if I'm still reading the book I need to write about (one of my majors is English, so that's the kind of paper I'm usually writing). I start formulating topics, and once I'm done with the book I pick the topic I can find the most evidence for, even if I don't like it as much.

When I'm doing academic writing I need my workspace to be quiet, but I'm too lazy to go to the library or something if the people next door are being loud. I don't necessarily need to be physically comfortable, just alone and in a quiet space. I also need to have water nearby, but that's because I drink a lot of water all day. My writing is almost exclusively typed, unless I jot down a few notes beforehand. I don't really do much prewriting. Sometimes I'll write down a few topics I want to discuss and list some scenes in the book I'd like to reference or quote. Other times I type them at the bottom of the document once I've started writing the paper, so I don't forget.

To me, the thesis is one of the most important pieces of the paper, and I can't write anything until I have finished the introduction and crafted my thesis, which I usually try and stay very close to. After I have that down I'll start writing the rest of the paper, but sometimes I'll jump around from topic to topic, leaving room if I plan on filling in more later. I just write whatever I feel most confident about first, then come back to the more difficult sections later, after I've thought about them more. I usually start writing papers at least a few days before they're due, so I'm not very pressed for time and rarely write an entire first draft in one sitting. Usually I'll write until I get sick of it or I'm not sure what to do next, then I'll take a break. When I next return to the paper I read over what I last wrote for revising and editing, then move on. I always write my conclusions last, and end with some kind of restatement or summing-up of my thesis.

Even once I have a "finished" product, I will not print it or turn it in until the last minute. I reread everything I've written more than once, and I won't turn in the assignment until I've gone over it one last time on the day it's due. I guess I'm kind of a paranoid writer and I want to make sure my work is as good as possible, but I very rarely seek others' help with it. Part of that is probably arrogance--I'm a professional writing and English major, so who else outside those departments could really help me? But at the same time, I think I just don't want to bother other people with my writing when it's just that--MY writing, and therefore MY problem. However, I did find my consultant's advice to be very helpful when I went to the writing center as a client, and since it's her JOB to help people with their writing, hopefully I will continue to take advantage of that resource after this class ends.