As a new blogger, I am learning a lot about my own writing process. Here is a partial list of my new learning:
~Prior noticings often become ideas while I'm engaged in mundane tasks like folding clothes.
~I need to have a plan in order to meet a deadline. I prefer deadlines and I like a ro
utine. ~Posting daily seems to help me avoid writer’s block. I get started faster. I don’t agonize over topics like I used to.
~I like to have my pieces for the following day 90% completed before I go to bed. Then I spend time re-reading and revising in the morning before I link my post.
~I often re-read my older posts looking for errors or thinking about parts of the piece I might like to re-work. I also re-read comments and scan for future writing ideas.
~I am often writing several pieces simultaneously. Some in my head, some on paper, and some as draft posts.
~I tend to write pieces that I might be able to use later for instruction. I practice the techniques I want my students to learn.~I only use one label per post. I like the idea of being able to organize my posts by topic if I should ever want to print my blog.
~My writing stamina has increased since beginning the TWT Challenge.
What are you learning about yourself as a writer?
It's exciting to read posts from new bloggers and I love your exercise in reflection in this month of intense posting activity.
ReplyDeleteI have been blogging since 2005 and for the last two, three years, almost daily, so it's always a good time to step back and reflect.
I will today,
Thanks,
Bonnie
Like you, I am constantly searching for a topic as I go through my day. If I write at night, I edit and revise in the morning with a clearer head but prefer to write in the morning. I have been known to reread my post and revise it even after it has been read by others (my hockey story). I love routine and deadlines so this challenge keeps me on track (I wish I could do the same with exercise).
ReplyDeleteIt's great that the Slice effort has helped you as a writer. I'll bet Ruth and Stacey are giving a little cheer right now.
ReplyDeleteKevin
PS -- love that pic of the cat, peeking around the keyboard.
"I need to have a plan in order to meet a deadline. I prefer deadlines and I like a routine. "
ReplyDeleteI totally agree!
It amazes me how the deadline of posting daily this month challenges me and keeps me focused.
Diana,
ReplyDeleteYou reflect and write so eloquently my same thoughts. I had been thinking the same things. One of the most significant things I've learned about myself is I am more of a writer than previously thought. Who knows where that thinking will take me.
I appreciate having the challenge of posting each day because it forces me to seriously focus on writing. It is very easy to put writing off to a later date/time.
ReplyDeleteGreat reflective practice. I reflect so much it's a wonder why I'm not neon yellow. I loved the way you listed your learning and am inspired to do something similar. Thank you for sharing this with our community! Happy writing!
ReplyDeleteThere are a few of us who have become daily bloggers from this experience (Walking the Dog's blog comes to mind), but I assume that everyone's facility increases by the end of the month. It's wonderful how that old saw, "Practice makes perfect," is so true!
ReplyDeleteThanks--
Elizabeth E.
http://peninkpaper.blogspot.com/
This is my first time blogging too. Like you, I joined so that I would become a better writer and teacher. I am working through the same process as my students. It's a little unnerving but rewarding at the same time. Thank you for helping me reflect.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed seeing your list of reflections. I was comforted in the similarities of our writing processes. I am a new blogger as well, and I am glad to see someone is having a similar experience.
ReplyDeleteI have learned from the SoL Challenge, like you, that topics for posts are all around and I don't have to agonize over a topic. People most relate to the simple, the "mundane", the real. I love that about blogging. This challenge is a great gateway into the world of blogging every day even after the month of March.
Thank you for your reflections!
Your reflections are very similar to mine - and I have found myself very reflective about this daily writing process. I find that even when I have written something the night before, my mind works all night long and in the morning, I sometimes have an entirely different post. Of course I save the original - for that day I have writer's block!
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping me think about my own learning. I started to write a lot here, but then cut and pasted it into my idea list I keep. Maybe I'll use it later.
ReplyDeleteKevin's right, I am giving a little cheer. Love that you wrote about your writing process. I believe the best way to become a more proficient teacher of writers is to be a writer yourself. Think how many things on your list hold true for students also. Glad you are writing with us.
ReplyDeleteRuth