Writing is definitely more about the process and less about the product. My process typically begins when I sit down at my computer and think, and think, and think. Obviously nothing comes to me except frustration. At this point I think to myself, "Jennifer Jean you are so stupid! Do you know how much time you've just wasted?!? It's been two hours and you still don't have a damn thing on the paper!" After this I usually start writing anything. It is terrible. Many times I have to start somewhere in the middle with a random idea or sentence. I'll write a paragraph or two until I realize I have hit a dead end in which I cannot think of anywhere to go from there. So, I start another paragraph. This one too makes no sense, is completely disjointed, and does not flow with the first. It may be about a completely different subject or subtopic. Usually this paragraph ends abruptly as well: dead end number two. The third or fourth paragraph is usually when I can finally start making sense of myself. By this time I have completely abandoned both the first and second paragraphs. In fact, so I can still go back to them for inspiration, yet do not confuse myself, I will hit enter several times in a row to shove those two ghastly paragraphs out of my sight. At this time I am by no means writing in a fluent manner. I am still over thinking and desperately hoping for a light bulb to go off in my head; however, I am not hitting dead ends. Once I am finished, I usually still do not have an introduction or any gracefulness in my paper, but my thoughts are in some sort of coherent order. Now I go back and read it. This usually procures a certain amount of pain. I sympathized with Lamott's statement about writing her first draft; she was afraid someone would read it. My papers are ALWAYS just as bad as I imagined they would be. However, as I pick through it, usually the light bulbs start going off. I cut away all the lengthy,wordy sentences and add sentences as I am inspired. I also comb for spelling and grammar mistakes, but rarely catch them all. After reading through it yet again, I am usually satisfied with the content. Then, if I have time, I will print it out and go over it once more. This is usually when I catch the last of the spelling and grammar mistakes. Finally, I am finished.
The importance of the first draft in this whole process is that it gets the ball rolling and the juices flowing. Without the first draft, I would still be sitting at my computer thinking and being extremely inefficient. Lamott's essay definitely helped me because I was encouraged that my writing process was not the only on that was obnoxiously inefficient. (If you can't tell, I am obsessed with efficiency. I am exceedingly busy thus making my time incredibly valuable. Therefore, everything must be done in a timely fashion and writing is usually one of those things that I can never seem to do in a time minimizing way.) The essay also gave me hope for this memoir. I will admit I am nervous for it. It seems like it is going to be a challenge. I am panic stricken that with work, THON, and my other difficult classes I won't be able to devote the time needed to prepare an A+ paper. However, after reading this it has given me confidence to simply trust my process and not stress over it. When I sit down for the first draft, I'll just write. Who cares how it turns out? It is only the first draft.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Journal 2
"What She Gave" by Anne Lamott is an excellent example of a memoir. It contains all the elements of a memoir as outlined in the Harbrace text book including significant experiences, sensory details, dialogue, transitional phrases, and reflections on key narrative events.
The significant experiences the author recounts take place at the beginning and end of the memoir. At the beginning, Lamott catches our attention by placing us in her bed, exhausted from two nights of insomnia, only to be woken up by her fifteen year old son who is perfectly capable of falling asleep on his own. What comes next is what makes this anecdote significant. Lamott's son reminds her that she is his mother and the person to whom he should be able to take his problems to. The second significant experience occurs at the end of the memoir when the author visits her mother after her mother informs her that she has a box and cheese. Confused, Lamott discovers that her mother has rented a cable box so the two of them can watch tennis and (for reasons unexplained in the memoir) a refrigerator full of cheese. This too is significant because it proves the author's point that her mother was crazy, but still loved her in her own special way.
The second characteristic of a memoir is sensory details. Lamott uses these throughout her memoir, however there are two places that these details really jump out at me. First, when Lamott is describing her mother's bed. She paints a very clear picture of socks and juice boxes leaving bumps in the covers. It made me envision a very disgusting mess of covers and pillows all sticky, crumby, and unkempt. Likewise, Lamott does a beautiful job of describing her mother's eyes. She mentions that they are large and brown, but then continues to say,"...they were always frantic, like a hummingbird who can't quite find the flower but keeps jabbing around." This is a wonderful description of not only how quickly her eyes moved, but also the pain that may have been behind them.
The author chose wisely when incorporating bits of dialogue into her memoir. She included dialogue when discussing personal experiences at the beginning and end of the memoir. The dialogue that I felt was most pertinent to the story was when her son said, "But you're my mom. I'm supposed to come to you with my problems." This statement really reveals to the audience the issue that is plaguing Lamott. It reveals the subject of her memoir: the conflict and impact her mother's life had on her.
Lamott uses transitional phrases four different times in her memoir. Each time the phrase introduces another year since her mother has passed away as well as signifies a new realization about herself and her relationship with her mother. The phrases are all crafted similarly: "The first year after my mother's death..." or, "The second year after my mother died..."
Lamott also did a good job of reflecting and analyzing key narrative events. After the first narrative event, where her son wakes her up, she goes on to say that she struggled because she was never able to take her problems to her own mother. She then says that a good mother is supposed to listen and respond with wisdom, which was something her mother could never do for her.
The significant experiences the author recounts take place at the beginning and end of the memoir. At the beginning, Lamott catches our attention by placing us in her bed, exhausted from two nights of insomnia, only to be woken up by her fifteen year old son who is perfectly capable of falling asleep on his own. What comes next is what makes this anecdote significant. Lamott's son reminds her that she is his mother and the person to whom he should be able to take his problems to. The second significant experience occurs at the end of the memoir when the author visits her mother after her mother informs her that she has a box and cheese. Confused, Lamott discovers that her mother has rented a cable box so the two of them can watch tennis and (for reasons unexplained in the memoir) a refrigerator full of cheese. This too is significant because it proves the author's point that her mother was crazy, but still loved her in her own special way.
The second characteristic of a memoir is sensory details. Lamott uses these throughout her memoir, however there are two places that these details really jump out at me. First, when Lamott is describing her mother's bed. She paints a very clear picture of socks and juice boxes leaving bumps in the covers. It made me envision a very disgusting mess of covers and pillows all sticky, crumby, and unkempt. Likewise, Lamott does a beautiful job of describing her mother's eyes. She mentions that they are large and brown, but then continues to say,"...they were always frantic, like a hummingbird who can't quite find the flower but keeps jabbing around." This is a wonderful description of not only how quickly her eyes moved, but also the pain that may have been behind them.
The author chose wisely when incorporating bits of dialogue into her memoir. She included dialogue when discussing personal experiences at the beginning and end of the memoir. The dialogue that I felt was most pertinent to the story was when her son said, "But you're my mom. I'm supposed to come to you with my problems." This statement really reveals to the audience the issue that is plaguing Lamott. It reveals the subject of her memoir: the conflict and impact her mother's life had on her.
Lamott uses transitional phrases four different times in her memoir. Each time the phrase introduces another year since her mother has passed away as well as signifies a new realization about herself and her relationship with her mother. The phrases are all crafted similarly: "The first year after my mother's death..." or, "The second year after my mother died..."
Lamott also did a good job of reflecting and analyzing key narrative events. After the first narrative event, where her son wakes her up, she goes on to say that she struggled because she was never able to take her problems to her own mother. She then says that a good mother is supposed to listen and respond with wisdom, which was something her mother could never do for her.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Journal 1
To me, writing is merely a necessary and practical application of communication. I neither hate nor enjoy writing; it is just something that must be done. I feel that I am an average writer for my education level. I am able to get my point across but lack unique style and artistic flair. In short, I have always gotten good grades on papers, however I have rarely been praised for exceptional writing techniques.
My straightforward, concise way of writing is most likely a result of being a student. Usually students are asked to relate facts or make an argument. We are taught to clearly present a point to an intended audience. In this area, I feel I have strengths. First, my sentence structure is rarely wordy. This helps audiences better understand exactly what I intend to convey in my writing. Secondly, I am good at keeping my audience in mind while I write. By focusing on what is important to my audience, I am better able to relate to them and play to their emotions.
Weaknesses in my writing are derived from my lack of style. When reading I enjoy an author who can truly manipulate words. However, when it comes to my own writing, I flounder for the right vocabulary. A cliche example of someone who did this beautifully was Shakespeare. I often read Shakespeare quotes simply because I enjoy his play on words. Similarly, I enjoy complex plots and thus have a strong attraction to mysteries and unexpected endings. A book that I admire for this characteristic is A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. The ending was unexpected and one of the best I have ever read. However, any creative attempt on my part to complicate the plot or put an unexpected twist on the end of a short story usually just breeds confusion. Another weakness in my writing is my utter inability to spell. For some reason I was not blessed with the portion of brain required to do said activity. As a result, I shamefully rely too heavily on spell-check. Finally, writing in general does not come easy for me. I struggle to form papers that satisfy me. As a result I write and rewrite everything to a point of inefficiency. Writing form me is therefore a very long and drawn out process that consumes a large chunk of my time.
It is my hope that this course will help me improve my writing in several different areas. First, I hope to expand my vocabulary. It is my belief that words give papers flavor just like spices flavor food. Furthermore, I hope that my eyes are opened to different sentence structures and styles so that I can apply these to my own writing. Thirdly, I want to learn how to be creative, even in dull argumentative papers. Finally, I think this class will be most instrumental in helping me to be a more efficient writer. Through our assignments, I hope to gain the practice needed to have my thoughts flow more freely onto paper.
My straightforward, concise way of writing is most likely a result of being a student. Usually students are asked to relate facts or make an argument. We are taught to clearly present a point to an intended audience. In this area, I feel I have strengths. First, my sentence structure is rarely wordy. This helps audiences better understand exactly what I intend to convey in my writing. Secondly, I am good at keeping my audience in mind while I write. By focusing on what is important to my audience, I am better able to relate to them and play to their emotions.
Weaknesses in my writing are derived from my lack of style. When reading I enjoy an author who can truly manipulate words. However, when it comes to my own writing, I flounder for the right vocabulary. A cliche example of someone who did this beautifully was Shakespeare. I often read Shakespeare quotes simply because I enjoy his play on words. Similarly, I enjoy complex plots and thus have a strong attraction to mysteries and unexpected endings. A book that I admire for this characteristic is A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. The ending was unexpected and one of the best I have ever read. However, any creative attempt on my part to complicate the plot or put an unexpected twist on the end of a short story usually just breeds confusion. Another weakness in my writing is my utter inability to spell. For some reason I was not blessed with the portion of brain required to do said activity. As a result, I shamefully rely too heavily on spell-check. Finally, writing in general does not come easy for me. I struggle to form papers that satisfy me. As a result I write and rewrite everything to a point of inefficiency. Writing form me is therefore a very long and drawn out process that consumes a large chunk of my time.
It is my hope that this course will help me improve my writing in several different areas. First, I hope to expand my vocabulary. It is my belief that words give papers flavor just like spices flavor food. Furthermore, I hope that my eyes are opened to different sentence structures and styles so that I can apply these to my own writing. Thirdly, I want to learn how to be creative, even in dull argumentative papers. Finally, I think this class will be most instrumental in helping me to be a more efficient writer. Through our assignments, I hope to gain the practice needed to have my thoughts flow more freely onto paper.
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