The Writing Process? Your Writing Process

I remember when a film professor told me I could use two introductory paragraphs (it was about a 7 page essay), and when a literature professor said to pick a single statement or event from a book to write about, and even when a fellow writing instructor recommended using the Six Journalistic Questions to teach about thesis. A recent discussion about an essay of mine revealed to me that sometimes I give way too much background information before giving my thesis. These experiences all prove one thing: writing is not taught but learned. I was never taught how to write. For me, it was a coalescing of experiences, rather than a single instance, experience, or class. That may sound extremely counter intuitive coming from a composition instructor but consider the following…..

I can teach about all sorts of things and all sorts of tips and guidelines, but not everything I teach will work well for everyone’s writing.

For example, when I teach about brainstorming, I usually take a few minutes and tell my students about mind mapping, or writing a “web.” The result is usually a constellation of nodes, each identifying a different topic, all linked to a central point and one another by forking paths. This is a popular form of brainstorming and outlining. Most of my students remember it from previous classes so teaching it in college composition courses is a refresher.

Personally, I never mind map. I have no image files or pieces of paper repurposed to reflect a kind of pen and paper content colonization.

So, if I don't do it, then why teach it? 

Simple. 

It works for some people. 

I'm sure there are people, from elementary school student to tenured professor, from poet to novelist, across genre and expertise, who do it. That's great for them. It just isn't for me.

If you have a teacher who advocates a single way to write, be cautious, or get out of the class. They're just going to teach you a way that either works for them or is outlined in a book they teach from; and you’re not your teacher. You have to find an approach that works best for you, and that involves experimentation. Maybe you haven't ever mind mapped. Give it a try and see if it works. If you find that writing comes easier or you are better able to organize and structure your thoughts, then you've struck on something good for you. If not, scrap it.

Now, having said all that, there are still many steps or phases you have to take into account: You will need to brainstorm, outline, edit, revise, organize, so on and so forth. You have to find the way that is best for you. Take advice and lessons to heart, but be flexible and remember that you will discover the process that works best for you.