The Inspired Writer vs. The Real Writer
In agreement with the author's student in the beginning of the excerpt, I strongly dislike (hate) writing. This is only because I believe that I am not suited for the process/journey that writing takes us on. I find it quite difficult to write something as simple as a letter, and of course, I find it extremely difficult to write a 2,000 word paper. I feel as if I am constantly reiterating myself in those types of writings. The author truly puts the argument between "the inspired writer" and "the real writer" into perspective for the audience, including her students. There are so many people throughout the world where writing is their forte. Personally, I enjoy structure and formula where I understand the concept and exactly how it will come out in the end and even what happens in the middle. On the contrary, my best friend, is an amazing writer that has a creativity and an ability to write that I truly don't have. In the process of writing, the writer has to create that structure and formula. Along with many other writers and especially students, I wouldn't know where exactly to begin. Writers have this creativity that are unique to writers and other artistic beings. There are so many key concepts that go into writing, such as, vocabulary, consistency, grammar, topics, etc. It's quite overwhelming. I attempt to be "the inspired writer" most of the time, but in actuality, I am the example of "the real writer," that person who is struggling to get out of writer's block, staying up late nights trying to find the right words to go on this blank white piece of paper. The ability to write is a characteristic that everyone should have a remote understanding of. As difficult as writing is, it's a form of expression of oneself for the outside world to experience.
Leigh, I too struggle with the concept of being able to cross over between structure and free flow. Writing allows you to have both on the same page: if you make an early plan of what you need and want to write, this makes it easier to construct a writing but also allow your own ideas and thoughts to be inserted as well. Most people think sitting down at a computer is the only way to begin writing, but if you struggle with writer's block, you may be able to get your ideas from alternate sources and organize them differently as well. Rushing ideas can lead to longer and more sleepless nights, it just takes patience and the right environment to breakthrough and become a good writer.
ReplyDeleteI tell myself that I love the creativity aspect of writing.. knowing that I can express what I'm trying to say in my own words and with my own twist, but you're right often times it is super overwhelming. There are so many things that you need to factor in to writing, like you said vocabulary, grammar etc. I agree, structure is nice sometimes because you know what the outcome will be most of the time, and you know exactly what you need to do. Most of the time, I love the creativity or freedom of it all though, just because it's challenging sometimes, and once I am on a role or my words are flowing, I really enjoy it. Everyone's different, and nobody's perfect. Writing is certainly very demanding, and often times stressful, but I do have to say, that regardless of all of that I still like it.
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