For me writing is a chore, something you have to do but not necessarily want to. Anytime I'm writing it's for an assignment in school so it has to be done in order to succeed in class. But outside of school I basically never write, excluding little notes here and there. In fact I typically have sloppier handwriting after the summer due to the hiatus of not writing. When a writing assignment is issued I don't dread it, because usually I get a solid grade. I know it will be a lot of work, but if I can get a good grade then its all worth it.
Getting started writing a paper is the most difficult part for me, once I get going I don't mind it that much. I just have to stay focused in a quiet place, and then my pen won't leave the paper for however long it takes me to complete the assignment.
For me writing has always been a way to express myself because I am a quiet person in the classroom. Since I don't talk very much teachers normally get a sense of the quality of work I do by reading my papers. Without writing, many of my teachers would never even know my name let alone if I was intelligent or not.
Thinking of writing as a chore shows me as a writer who just wants to get the assignment done. Which is true but only at first, once I begin it is much more. Writing because you enjoy it leads to significant improvement, while writing as a chore makes it feel longer and more dragged out. It's all about your perception, if you look at writing as expressing yourself in a way that words can't, then getting a paper done will be a lot less stressful. Which in turn will most likely lead to earning a better grade and a more positive outlook on writing.
This is very well written and I agree. I think writing assignments are basically a chore that I just want to get over with. Before I actually start writing, I dread doing it and procrastinate like crazy. But as soon as I do start writing, ideas flow so easily on to the page and it's never as hard as I actually think it is. I think it's all about the mind set that you have going into the challenge. If you sit down dreading the assignment, it's going to be a lot more difficult to write well. A positive attitude is important.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you gotta "fake it until you make it." What I mean by saying that is that if you pretend that you want to write, then you'll inadvertently want to write. This concept can be applied to many things, such as chores or even your state of mind. If you pretend that you want to do your chores, naturally, you'll have a more positive outlook on doing chores. And if you're having a bad day, for example, just put a smile on your face regardless and you'll begin to feel better. Like Amanda said in the comment above, a positive attitude is important, and simply having a positive outlook on your writing can make a huge difference in the process and the outcome.
ReplyDeleteI always dread an assignment before I start it, but once I tell myself that I shouldn't dread it, then the writing process can begin on a positive note. You don't have to think that you like writing; rather, you have to pretend that you do. :)