The Beginning of My Writing Process
Typically, when I sit down to write something, the first thing I do is make sure my mind is clear from any assignments I may have for a class. If it’s an assignment I can take care of in a short amount of time, then I will get it done before I start writing. Once that thing hanging over my head is gone, I can begin putting pen to pad, or nowadays fingers to keyboard. It can sometimes take me a long time to get going when I write. It’s almost like my brain needs to catch an idea that speeds on by like a fast-moving train. The idea train comes by every few minutes and I need to catch one and ride along to see where it takes me or I’m going nowhere. The train could go where I would like to go, or it can lead me to some random place, and I need to get back to where I began and start over again.
I think one way to improve this process is by freewriting before I try to catch one of those idea trains. When I have something stressful on my mind or I just can’t stop thinking about that thing that won’t seem to go away, I will take out a pen and paper and just write out everything I’m thinking of until it’s gone and frees my mind. A skill I picked up my freshman year of college because my professor made us do it at the beginning of every class. I must admit that I never really used it outside of the class, but I think it may be good to make it a new habit every time I write.
Having a writing process that works for me is an important thing to have. It allows for me to have a routine that works and causes me to have a more productive output. A writing process also allows for me to get into the right mindset and be ready to take on whatever writing adventure I want to go on, whether it be voluntary or not. My brain can come up with all kinds of menial distractions to sidetrack me from what I really want to do, like wondering if I got any new notifications on my phone. It’s important to have a process and routine and diminish those distractions as much as possible.
I think I am a more effective writer when my focus is solely on what I am writing about and nothing else. The writing process tells my brain that it’s time to write and forget everything else because I keep practicing it over and over again. I like when I get into a groove of continuously writing and not stopping the stream of good thoughts that are flowing out. In my opinion, it’s good practice to constantly repeat a process to ensure it will work and completely get out those thoughts that are just waiting to run free.
