For Writers and Would-BE Writers: Starting the Writing Process

Tools: Paper, pen or pencil that you like; word processor; a collegiate dictionary; thesauras; resource books and materials.

Where do I start? There will be some stimulus: a desire to write or an assignment given. Reaction? Flight or fight?

FLIGHT? Even professional writers do it. One writer, for example, reads soup-can labels; another sharpens pencils; another takes a hike.

FIGHT? Writers should eventually say to themselves: "I have something valuable to say that I must communicate to a reader."

The writing process is not a linear. You may repeat these steps more than once. Sometimes you might just  have to start over!!!

Process: Prewriting

If you have not been given an assignment, think carefully about the purpose for your desire to write and the intended audience. For example, have you just recovered from a major illness and wish to share your experiences? With whom? Why?

This stage, called conception by some writers, is when writers must make up their minds to write in spite of their confusion and insecurity. There is often the need for clarification, directions, or reading. Time to determine an audience profile and a clear purpose for writing (to inform, persuade, entertain, or a combination).

Let your ideas incubate. Let them hatch. Start early, so you can wait, doing nothing or very little. Relax and wait for a "voice" - an unconscious motivation to get started with words on paper.

If you can no longer wait for inspiration, try a brainstorming technique such as listing, free writing, or clustering, (See Writing Handout, "Development: Generating Ideas for Writing").
 

Start writing.
One word on a page often leads to another. You don't necessarily have to start the paper at the top, for introductions are often best written when you have something specific to introduce. You may write sections of the paper at any time to be assembled later. Become aware of the internal rhythm of writing--pausing--writing. Pauses because of the need to edit or read or verbalize or gather information or scream.

Then there may be the inevitable external distractions. Hang a sign that says: STAY AWAY. WRITING IN PROGRESS (if you wish).

Keep getting back to production, however. Write incomplete sentences or fluent thoughts, but stay on task. Remember that writing is recursive, so keep rereading as often as you need to. If your pauses have become too long and your diagnosis is writer's block, try some specific strategies such as those given by Jean Wyrick (see Writing Center handout, "How to Treat Writer's Block"). Avoid being too critical of your writing in this stage. At this stage you should not consider grammar, spelling, or organization. Just get the words on paper.

Remind yourself periodically about what the end product should be and what key elements should be present. For example, if you are writing an essay, are you writing supporting paragraphs that relate to your thesis? Complete a first draft, but the work is not yet finished!

1. Check for completeness of information. Is information accurate, specific, and sufficient? Make necessary additions or deletions.
2. Review form and structure. Is genre appropriate? Are structural requirements met? Write an outline to verify that these requirements have been met, and use it as a guide for effective organization.
3. Does the draft flow well with effective use of connecting words and ideas?

Proofread. Read out loud for clarity. Edit line by line, phrase by phrase, and word by word. Check for effective style, accurate diction, and correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. If possible,  let your work sit for a day before you proof. Read aloud to get a better feel for your work.

Reluctantly, submit your composition because you have now run out of time! No work is ever finished; it is just due.