Coping with Writer's Block

Young, Jenny. "Frustrated with studying". 04/14/2011 via Deviant Art. 
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1. What type(s) of writer do you consider yourself to be?

I’ve always thought of myself as a fairly good writer. With that being said, however, I’m often subject to writer’s block. Ideas come to me in waves and bursts so sticking to a plan when writing is hard for me. Because I often find myself having to write in bursts I would consider myself to be a heavy reviser. I write what I’m thinking as I think about it. I will jot down loose notes on paper but for the most part I just wing it. Because of this approach I often make lots of grammatical errors and sometimes repeat or skip important words. My writing, though often creative, is always in serious need of revising and editing making me a classic heavy reviser.

2. Does your writing process include several approaches? If so which ones?

My writing process is fairly straight forward: write until the relevant ideas run out and then revise them. Sometimes however I hit my stride and can crank out multiple ideas on multiple related topics and create an outline. I write best when I have an outline. An outline, even a vague one, makes it easier for me to come up with ideas that are both applicable and articulate. When I am able to come up with an outline I can show characteristics of a heavy planner. I will edit less as I feel more confident in my writing from a content stand point.

3. Does your writing process seem to be successful? What are the strengths and weaknesses of your approach?

My writing process does the job. I always get papers done and turned in on time. I am, more often than not, satisfied with my work. Assignments that I am interested in or find to be fascinating I always feel more confident about writing. Topics that interest me are much easier to outline and always result much better papers. The strengths of my process lie in the creative ideas I am able to produce. Just sitting and thinking allows me to come up with ideas that one who sticks strictly to an outline may not be able to conjure. The weaknesses however are simply that writing takes me a great amount of time. I hit a wall almost every time I write and get very frustrated with both myself and the assignment.

4. Do you think it might be beneficial for you to try a different approach? Why or why not?

I think it would be very beneficial to try a different approach. I am not entirely satisfied with my writing experiences in the past and no one likes to be frustrated with themselves as they write a long paper. Trying something new would not only allow me an added perspective on what writing style really works best for me but might also show me that the issues I run into as a writer are entirely normal. I believe that trying a new approach would be beneficial for not only myself but anyone else who is not entirely satisfied with past writing experiences.