How to Choose How to Write
What’s the Right Way to Write?
When it comes to writing, choosing a process to stick to can be tough to do. There are so many options to choose from that it can become overwhelming for anyone that has not yet developed their own writing style. What should be used when writing? A notepad or a laptop? Does the first draft need to be as close to perfect as possible or does it not matter at that point? What processes do other writers use?
When it comes to writing, choosing a process to stick to can be tough to do. There are so many options to choose from that it can become overwhelming for anyone that has not yet developed their own writing style. What should be used when writing? A notepad or a laptop? Does the first draft need to be as close to perfect as possible or does it not matter at that point? What processes do other writers use?
Starting Out Sloppy
For many people, first drafts can often be messy and very unorganized. Anne Lamott, the author of “Shitty First Drafts” describes first drafts as something childlike and undeveloped. Lamott says that in the first draft, anything goes, no matter how horrible or incoherent it may sound. “Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts.” (Lamott para. 10) By writing out everything that comes to mind, an author will be able to pick bits and pieces that they do like from the draft to add into the next version.
Perfecting an Imperfect Draft
Donald Murray, the author of “The Maker’s Eye” speaks about the author of a draft as the number one critic of their own work. Murray compares amateur and professional writers. He describes amateur writers as more detail oriented when improving a draft and professional writers as writers that look at the written work as a whole and not piece by piece. Murray mentioned the seven main topics he reviews when improving a draft (subject, audience, form, structure, development, dimension, and tone) and how he may alter a written work. He describes writing as something that is never finished. “The maker's eye is never satisfied, for he knows that each word in his copy is tentative.” (Murray pg. 4)
Donald Murray, the author of “The Maker’s Eye” speaks about the author of a draft as the number one critic of their own work. Murray compares amateur and professional writers. He describes amateur writers as more detail oriented when improving a draft and professional writers as writers that look at the written work as a whole and not piece by piece. Murray mentioned the seven main topics he reviews when improving a draft (subject, audience, form, structure, development, dimension, and tone) and how he may alter a written work. He describes writing as something that is never finished. “The maker's eye is never satisfied, for he knows that each word in his copy is tentative.” (Murray pg. 4)
Bringing It Together
Both Murray and Lamott describe the writing process as something that must be perfected and tuned. The first draft will never be the cleanest or perfect. The first draft is the necessary starting point that will be crafted into something better. Lammot described the draft process as only going through a few stages, whereas Murray described it as being more detailed and thorough in what the author is changing and looking out for in their writing.
Both Murray and Lamott describe the writing process as something that must be perfected and tuned. The first draft will never be the cleanest or perfect. The first draft is the necessary starting point that will be crafted into something better. Lammot described the draft process as only going through a few stages, whereas Murray described it as being more detailed and thorough in what the author is changing and looking out for in their writing.
My Thoughts
Both Murray and Lamott gave interesting takes on how they write a draft. I felt that Lamott described a process that like my own. I felt comfortable with the idea that the first draft will always be terrible and that it takes a few drafts before the quality goes up. When Murray described the author as never being satisfied, I agreed to a certain extent. I like to review my work and present the best possible writing, but I don’t feel the need to obsess over it either. I feel that despite being an amateur writer, I don’t focus solely on the small details in my writing. The part that Murray brought forward that I liked most was the use of the seven main topics (subject, audience, form, structure, development, dimension, and tone). I feel that these are all aspects that I consider when writing and help improve my drafts.
Both Murray and Lamott gave interesting takes on how they write a draft. I felt that Lamott described a process that like my own. I felt comfortable with the idea that the first draft will always be terrible and that it takes a few drafts before the quality goes up. When Murray described the author as never being satisfied, I agreed to a certain extent. I like to review my work and present the best possible writing, but I don’t feel the need to obsess over it either. I feel that despite being an amateur writer, I don’t focus solely on the small details in my writing. The part that Murray brought forward that I liked most was the use of the seven main topics (subject, audience, form, structure, development, dimension, and tone). I feel that these are all aspects that I consider when writing and help improve my drafts.
Funny Writing
In a New York Times interview, Jerry Seinfeld describes his process of writing jokes. Seinfeld describes his writing process as something random. Seinfeld said that he is always “ looking for the connective tissue that gives me that really tight, smooth link, like a jigsaw puzzle link”. Seinfeld also mentions that he often likes to joke about “nothing”, or seemingly ordinary item. He prefers to write down his jokes on yellow notepads with specific pens and not type them. When writing, Seinfeld stated that the “wronger” something felt, the “righter” it was.
In a New York Times interview, Jerry Seinfeld describes his process of writing jokes. Seinfeld describes his writing process as something random. Seinfeld said that he is always “ looking for the connective tissue that gives me that really tight, smooth link, like a jigsaw puzzle link”. Seinfeld also mentions that he often likes to joke about “nothing”, or seemingly ordinary item. He prefers to write down his jokes on yellow notepads with specific pens and not type them. When writing, Seinfeld stated that the “wronger” something felt, the “righter” it was.
Lyrical Concepts
In a similar interview conducted by Fuse, rapper J Cole described how he writes his lyrics. A large portion of his writing process was described as working on improvement. He prefers to write in solitude, because there is less pressure. In order to improve his writing, he freehands 3 pages a day in the mornings. Cole says that he prefers to write on paper over typing out his thoughts. He says “there’s something more intimate about writing it down”. When putting together his album, Cole focused on starting from scratch to put forward something cohesive instead of piecing songs together.
In a similar interview conducted by Fuse, rapper J Cole described how he writes his lyrics. A large portion of his writing process was described as working on improvement. He prefers to write in solitude, because there is less pressure. In order to improve his writing, he freehands 3 pages a day in the mornings. Cole says that he prefers to write on paper over typing out his thoughts. He says “there’s something more intimate about writing it down”. When putting together his album, Cole focused on starting from scratch to put forward something cohesive instead of piecing songs together.
Writing for Performances
J Cole and Seinfeld both expressed a preference for writing on paper over typing.They both described a need for having a connection throughout their writing. In Seinfeld’s case, he tries to maintain connections between jokes whereas J Cole tries to make all of the songs in his albums connected. Seinfeld gets his inspiration from random things around him, while J Cole just lets his thoughts flow and finds inspiration from that.
J Cole and Seinfeld both expressed a preference for writing on paper over typing.They both described a need for having a connection throughout their writing. In Seinfeld’s case, he tries to maintain connections between jokes whereas J Cole tries to make all of the songs in his albums connected. Seinfeld gets his inspiration from random things around him, while J Cole just lets his thoughts flow and finds inspiration from that.
My Thoughts
Just like J Cole and Seinfeld, I prefer writing on paper instead of typing. I feel that writing my thoughts and ideas down on paper gives me a stronger connection to what I’m putting out. I personally wouldn’t have the dedication to write 3 pages every morning. I liked Seinfeld’s approach of talking about nothing. I feel that this makes his jokes more relatable and that this technique could be applied to many more forms of writing.
Just like J Cole and Seinfeld, I prefer writing on paper instead of typing. I feel that writing my thoughts and ideas down on paper gives me a stronger connection to what I’m putting out. I personally wouldn’t have the dedication to write 3 pages every morning. I liked Seinfeld’s approach of talking about nothing. I feel that this makes his jokes more relatable and that this technique could be applied to many more forms of writing.
My Writing
When it comes to my own writing, my writing process is like Lamott’s. I just let all my thoughts flow and come up with something totally messy. I like to type all of my ideas and create an outline before I go and fill in the spaces with details. I prefer typing to writing down my ideas because I am able to make as many changes as I want on the same page. I don’t like to review what I write over and over, so after the first draft, I try and make as many changes as I can without spending too much time on it. I like to work quickly while keeping everything connected and presenting my thoughts in a clear way.
When it comes to my own writing, my writing process is like Lamott’s. I just let all my thoughts flow and come up with something totally messy. I like to type all of my ideas and create an outline before I go and fill in the spaces with details. I prefer typing to writing down my ideas because I am able to make as many changes as I want on the same page. I don’t like to review what I write over and over, so after the first draft, I try and make as many changes as I can without spending too much time on it. I like to work quickly while keeping everything connected and presenting my thoughts in a clear way.
Write How You Want
Overall, I think that every author has their own unique approach to writing. There’s no one way to write, and not everything will work for all writers. Each author had their own way of doing things, none of which are used by everyone out there. No matter what path an author may take, there is always a reason behind the way that they write. What works best is always up to the author.
Overall, I think that every author has their own unique approach to writing. There’s no one way to write, and not everything will work for all writers. Each author had their own way of doing things, none of which are used by everyone out there. No matter what path an author may take, there is always a reason behind the way that they write. What works best is always up to the author.