Sept12th-Blog #2

The Right to Personalize Writing Process in 9R paints a touching portrait of the ideal scenarios for learning and developing in the writing process at a relaxed pace. The recommendations by Spandel certainly would initiate more confident and competent writing and even helped invigorate me a wee bit. I really believe that a set, predictable, and comfortable environment can assist the author in the correct mental state to spring ideas into words. Right now as I write this I am at my computer station in the basement of my home. My late step-father in law was a true renaissance man, a Colonel in the U.S. Army and an accomplished artist. I mention this because just above my computer screen is a large painting by him of a Hawaiian beach at dusk that relaxes me instantly. The precise brush strokes, color, and mood of the piece provide me a productive mood for most written work. The Colonel is looking down and pleased that one of his paintings had such an effect. However, a calm tranquil environment may not be a writer’s best option when critique is needed. Dialogue with fellow students, teachers, editors, etc allows a healthy exchange of observation, which as a result will allow you to gauge your intent, audience, and structure in a broader sense. The book stresses individualism as an important tool for student’s confidence. The fear of failure over just one piece can damage a young writer’s psyche, so allowing the student to decide how he or she wants his or her work circulated is important. I truly do not know if our world needs more great writers, but I certainly know our world would be a better place with more skilled writers. Applying many of these suggestions would certainly emphasize the writer more than the writing and should permit students to find their potential.

The author-author collaboration spoke of in WW is a dynamic and refreshing process. At my internship just today I experienced such a partnership and it was pleasant to have the two heads during the process to make our work more accurate and concise. I do want to mention that we were not working on a creative writing piece, but rather attended a House committee hearing on Labor Relations and wanted to align our facts and make the information gathered as streamlined as possible for our time deprived audience. The details of what I am doing are not important, but rather I recommend if you have the opportunity to collaborate with a trusted counterpart or even just a friend you will be surprised at the efficiency and ideas generated. Currently I am afforded the luxury of learning with this method until I am comfortable to cover assignments on my own, which I fear is soon.