I like the way Donald Murry takes us inside his mind as he writes, clearly showing what writers do. This is especially beneficial for those of us who are insecure about their writing (me!) In fact, this morning in the shower I was “practicing” writing my blog entry in my head… “I like the way Donald Murray takes us inside his mind as he writes…” Before I read Cultivating Surprise: The Process Theory of Writing and chapter 3 in Teaching the Neglected “R”, I thought I was the only doofus who “practiced” writing in their head before beginning a writing task.
Anybody else do this?
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Dr. Kajder said
Absolutely! In fact, I find myself “talking” my practice writing – even trying out ideas (almost like a pre-draft?) with an audience (this morning, it was the barista at Starbucks…) before I put pen to paper. Murray’s idea that “we write to see what it is that we think” is my mantra as a writer – and a teacher of writing…
kkeier said
Oh yes!! I tend to do my best writing while I’m running. And lately, when I’m walking my dog. She is a great audience. I do sometimes find myself talking my writing out loud too…how can we show kids that and let them see that it’s something writers do?
Amy said
This idea of practicing your writing reminds me of what many of the readings talked about… there is not one writing process. People need to find the process that works for them. For some that means practicing. For others that means writing every single thought down and then taking some out. For others that means talking it through with someone else. I think this diversity of processes is one of the great parts of writing… and why we teach the writer, not the writing!
Shannon said
Oh, I definitely rehearse in my head! I think the “script” for my digital story came about while driving home from class and over the next few days while walking my dog. I do my best thinking while walking (used to be while running, but I’m a semi-retired runner at the moment)
. I most definitely do a lot of drafting and pre-writing in my head! I think sometimes it hinders me when I actually sit down to write because sometimes I’m afraid to put anything on paper until it’s exactly the way I want it. But I don’t think kids do that… at least the ones I’ve seen and worked with. I think they put down what comes to mind, but often without thinking about what they want to say or how they want to say it first. So, I’m thinking we need to find the balance between showing students how “writing” in your head beforehand can help you but not being afraid to just put pencil to paper and write without too much thinking. Does that make sense?
Kara said
I know what you mean! It is a different experience trying to publicly share our reflections in a blog. It’s a little wierd. It does change the voice in which I write at least a little bit I think. I think the rehearsing in your head piece is interesting too. That’s the kind of thinking we hope our students take on, right? We hope they are thinking like writers outside the walls of the classroom just like you clearly are:)