My Writing Process
Recently I sat in on a class and observed a colleague ask her students to describe their writing processes. I decided to play along and write a few sentences detailing mine, though I didn’t share them with the class. Instead, I’ll share them here:
1. I have an idea.
2. I think (too long) about the idea, usually while riding the train home.
2. I think (too long) about the idea, usually while riding the train home.
3. I forget the best parts of the idea and means of execution during the walk from the train station to my apartment.
4. If I am lucky, I remember some of the idea after walking the dog and fixing a drink and maybe some food.
5. I scribble some nonsense.
6. Eventually, I turn the nonsense into actual sentences and paragraphs.
7. I get lazy and defensive during the editing stage.
8. I succumb to doubts and fears and remain inactive for days.
9. Alcohol.
10. I suspend my ego and take editorial advice seriously.
11. I regain my ego and combat the advice.
12. I temper my ego and make the edits that make sense.
13. I rediscover that I am genius.
14. I am humbled by the lack of recognition of my genius.
15. I collect enough rejection slips to rebuild a rainforest.
16. I decide to stop writing altogether.
17. I write a blog post.
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