My brain has to have something to do. So writing has been a gift for me, a place to put my mind instead of what would probably be worry or anxiety or something nonproductive. It is hard to forever separate it from the product, however, for me, personally. Unless you're writing in a journal or in some way purposefully meant for yourself only, writing seems very connected with audience to me. This is where l struggle at times, and may end up feeling like - wow, what did l do all that for?
I totally understand this--and the sadness of having a piece not reach any readers. I definitely don't keep the idea of audience separate--I just sort of set it aside, but I think I'm always in my head communicating with an ideal reader who l imagine likes my chaos :).
I particularly enjoyed the idea that the writing process should become something loose and playful. That’s easier said than done, but it’s well worth the effort. I spent a long legal career writing stuff that was anything but “loose and playful.” Then I retired and wanted to have fun with writing -maybe get in touch with my creative self. I wrote a book, mostly for family and friends (self-published), about a 10-week camping road trip I took around the USA and had a blast (both doing it and writing about it.). I found a “playful voice,” so to speak, that I suspected was in there and enjoyed coaxing out. Your piece here on the writing process and discovering a sense of self as a creative being hits it out of the ballpark for me.
As someone who makes her living primarily from ghost writing, I create an outline, I follow the outline. I also am continually thinking of the reader--how can I say things in a way that will land? I only recently started embracing writing just for the sake of writing, and finding that loose focus, writing for myself as an audience, and letting the things I write evolve organically (or not). It's thrilling! Thank you so much for coming on Finding the Throughline and talking out these ideas. Having a space to talk about writing as a way of life, and as a part of a whole life, is exactly why I started the podcast.
I really needed to read this, especially as I'm at the tail end of the tenure process, and also in between writing projects. I don't know what I want to start next, and I've published what I need to publish for my job. It's been weeks since I've really written. I miss the relationship to writing, but I don't want the relationship to producing/being productive. I want a break from that energy. This post reminds me that the two are not necessarily wedded---which is a relief! I'm gonna go open my journal now, and then an unfinished word doc. Thank you, Sonya!
When the writing works, everything works. So true! I didn't find your post to be woo-woo; it feels quite true to my experience. (Is that woo-woo? If so, maybe it should have another, prouder name!) Having faith in process is so important for me, and I love your phrase 'loose process.' (PS - The students at Cheshire say hello and that they hope you can visit again.)
"Telling someone they’re bad at writing is like telling them they’re bad at prayer or love."
Thanks for making this revealing comparison, Sonya! I stopped teaching in 2015, and it's so sad that students are still being told this generic lie. It's the opposite of helpful, specific responses, criticisms, and explanations regarding a particular element in someone's writing. That sort of feedback takes time, of course, and teachers at every level are horribly overworked. I don't know what the solution is, other than shifting the entire defense budget to education.
At least 10% of the thousands of students who passed through my first year composition classes TOLD ME they were "a bad writer." How many believed that, but didn't tell me? When asked why, those who volunteered usually said a teacher had called them a bad writer. Many carried some shame about that. Most carried some resistance to the writing process.
My brain has to have something to do. So writing has been a gift for me, a place to put my mind instead of what would probably be worry or anxiety or something nonproductive. It is hard to forever separate it from the product, however, for me, personally. Unless you're writing in a journal or in some way purposefully meant for yourself only, writing seems very connected with audience to me. This is where l struggle at times, and may end up feeling like - wow, what did l do all that for?
I totally understand this--and the sadness of having a piece not reach any readers. I definitely don't keep the idea of audience separate--I just sort of set it aside, but I think I'm always in my head communicating with an ideal reader who l imagine likes my chaos :).
Great post, Prof. Huber. Thank you for it.
I particularly enjoyed the idea that the writing process should become something loose and playful. That’s easier said than done, but it’s well worth the effort. I spent a long legal career writing stuff that was anything but “loose and playful.” Then I retired and wanted to have fun with writing -maybe get in touch with my creative self. I wrote a book, mostly for family and friends (self-published), about a 10-week camping road trip I took around the USA and had a blast (both doing it and writing about it.). I found a “playful voice,” so to speak, that I suspected was in there and enjoyed coaxing out. Your piece here on the writing process and discovering a sense of self as a creative being hits it out of the ballpark for me.
I love that--and this sounds like a great project!
As someone who makes her living primarily from ghost writing, I create an outline, I follow the outline. I also am continually thinking of the reader--how can I say things in a way that will land? I only recently started embracing writing just for the sake of writing, and finding that loose focus, writing for myself as an audience, and letting the things I write evolve organically (or not). It's thrilling! Thank you so much for coming on Finding the Throughline and talking out these ideas. Having a space to talk about writing as a way of life, and as a part of a whole life, is exactly why I started the podcast.
Thank you so much, Kate, and the conversation was so generative for me too!
I love hearing that!
I really needed to read this, especially as I'm at the tail end of the tenure process, and also in between writing projects. I don't know what I want to start next, and I've published what I need to publish for my job. It's been weeks since I've really written. I miss the relationship to writing, but I don't want the relationship to producing/being productive. I want a break from that energy. This post reminds me that the two are not necessarily wedded---which is a relief! I'm gonna go open my journal now, and then an unfinished word doc. Thank you, Sonya!
When the writing works, everything works. So true! I didn't find your post to be woo-woo; it feels quite true to my experience. (Is that woo-woo? If so, maybe it should have another, prouder name!) Having faith in process is so important for me, and I love your phrase 'loose process.' (PS - The students at Cheshire say hello and that they hope you can visit again.)
Oh thank you so much!!
"Telling someone they’re bad at writing is like telling them they’re bad at prayer or love."
Thanks for making this revealing comparison, Sonya! I stopped teaching in 2015, and it's so sad that students are still being told this generic lie. It's the opposite of helpful, specific responses, criticisms, and explanations regarding a particular element in someone's writing. That sort of feedback takes time, of course, and teachers at every level are horribly overworked. I don't know what the solution is, other than shifting the entire defense budget to education.
At least 10% of the thousands of students who passed through my first year composition classes TOLD ME they were "a bad writer." How many believed that, but didn't tell me? When asked why, those who volunteered usually said a teacher had called them a bad writer. Many carried some shame about that. Most carried some resistance to the writing process.
Thank you so much, Michele 💕I believe that 10%—that’s about the same for my students too.