How appropriate that I was struck with a "block" during this blog. Smith's ideas of getting stuck after writing a few lines or paragraphs really hit home, and lead me to erase everything I had already said and rephrase it. For me, every piece of writing always goes through a similar stage. I often begin just cranking out my first paragraph or two, only to discover a new view or opinion or way to contextualize what I'm trying to say and end up scraping the previous lines for something new. This is my personal formula for writing and how I get through these said "blocks." I think the most important thing a teacher of writing can stress is the opportunity to revise, not just a rough draft, 2nd draft, etc.--but rather the ability to learn or discover new things just by putting your thoughts on a page and letting things work themselves out.
I think that these ideas are supported through Spandel's views on learning to "love and treasure" surprises in our writing, which as I've said for me comes only through putting my ideas on a page. While my way is in no way perfect, it's my formula, and I would therefore argue that formulas are not bad things. It is just that we may need to allot room to stray from a formula.
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