I can't believe that we've reached our last class. No seriously...I really can't. Where did the time go?
Reflecting on the past 4 weeks gives me a great appreciation for Boice, and for the help I've accumulated from his advice.
I think the mindful practices and behaviors I've gradually spun into my writing have also found their way into my every day life as well. It's amazing how different the world can appear if you take the time to notice it.
The most beneficial aspects of the past four weeks have been a combination of guided meditation and identifying the sociological blocks that manifest in our writing. I think our class had a really productive dynamic, and hearing the journey through your writing processes assisted mine as well.
Writing is a skill that can be nurtured just like any other. I know this now.
I look forward to reading everyone's final portfolio.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Chapter 4 is my favorite so far...Whoa, we're already on chapter 4?
Monday
I'm glad Boice explained the purpose of the Woodsworth quote. I've never been much of a poetry kind of gal, so I was worried this chapter wouldn't be as helpful when I saw that sitting at the top.
Did anyone else feel a little...too, in sync with this chapter? I probably shouldn't be thrilled that I drifted through these words thinking "OH MAN I totally get this!". But I am, because even if you don't suffer from depression (which I don't at the moment, but have in the past), you probably know someone who has.
I can always count on Boice to be practical; he draws convincing conclusions from well depicted experiences and avoids giving any extreme advice to better the writing process. I appreciate anyone who can articulate their beliefs well, even if I don't agree (which I didn't at times during chapter 4).
At times I felt it was a little too "black and white". I think this is a difficult topic to cover, and I'm not sure I would fully embrace any author that defines and categorizes depression and related concepts in this manner. That being said, it was still my favorite reading thus far, if only for tapping into a subject matter that doesn't receive the attention it deserves.
Exploring the complexity of depression and the influence it can hold over writing complemented chapter 3 very appropriately. It served as a nice follow up. I think it carefully pealed back the layers of a common issue that sees such little daylight. It's refreshing to acknowledge its presence and gain a greater understanding of how it can affect the writing process. I think it would have made for a much easier chapter to simply write "bottle up those emotions and ignore them as best you can while you write!". Luckily, Boice opted for a more useful route, and described how finding equilibrium between managing and suppressing emotions is key.
I'm glad Boice explained the purpose of the Woodsworth quote. I've never been much of a poetry kind of gal, so I was worried this chapter wouldn't be as helpful when I saw that sitting at the top.
Did anyone else feel a little...too, in sync with this chapter? I probably shouldn't be thrilled that I drifted through these words thinking "OH MAN I totally get this!". But I am, because even if you don't suffer from depression (which I don't at the moment, but have in the past), you probably know someone who has.
I can always count on Boice to be practical; he draws convincing conclusions from well depicted experiences and avoids giving any extreme advice to better the writing process. I appreciate anyone who can articulate their beliefs well, even if I don't agree (which I didn't at times during chapter 4).
At times I felt it was a little too "black and white". I think this is a difficult topic to cover, and I'm not sure I would fully embrace any author that defines and categorizes depression and related concepts in this manner. That being said, it was still my favorite reading thus far, if only for tapping into a subject matter that doesn't receive the attention it deserves.
Exploring the complexity of depression and the influence it can hold over writing complemented chapter 3 very appropriately. It served as a nice follow up. I think it carefully pealed back the layers of a common issue that sees such little daylight. It's refreshing to acknowledge its presence and gain a greater understanding of how it can affect the writing process. I think it would have made for a much easier chapter to simply write "bottle up those emotions and ignore them as best you can while you write!". Luckily, Boice opted for a more useful route, and described how finding equilibrium between managing and suppressing emotions is key.
Playing Catch Up - Friday's Blog! Ch 3 pg 113-118
Friday, Ch 3
"When we chronically act in self defeating ways, when we stumble over stupidities that are only partially visible, we cannot improve our confidence and self-esteem"
I think relating sociological concepts to understand writing blocks was really helpful. It's really simple to identify what self-defeating behaviors apply to each of us. Or at least it was for me! Maybe because I have so many...don't we all? We're human, after all.
I think such a remarkable part of developing mindful writing practices is the honesty you learn to channel within yourself. Awareness allows you to really dig into the depth of your words. Or, show you that...you don't have much depth at all. Maybe everything you've just written is a product of various writing blocks. Maybe you thought it was a masterpiece until you embraced a certain level of consciousness. Or maybe, just maybe, it IS a masterpiece! Point being, study of personal self-defeating behaviors enables you to understand the difference.
My writing has steadily improved, or so I would like to think, and I know that appreciating my flaws was essential throughout this process. That's another point I wanted to make - learning to appreciate your flaws. It's similar to strengthening your meditation technique. The goal of meditation isn't necessarily to clear your mind. You still notice sounds. You still feel vibrations from the floor. You might have just remembered that you left your front door unlocked, before Donna reminds you to return to the breath. This doesn't mean you're a failure at meditating. It means that you're human. The same rules apply for self-defeating behaviors. You still doubt yourself at times. You still dwell over insignificant details. You might undermine your writing capabilities completely, just because of one measly sentence, before you remind yourself to take a break and give yourself some credit for what you've completed so far. This doesn't mean you're a failure at writing. It means that you're human.
I would agree that most self-inflicted mind states that are less than positive affect almost every activity we do on a regular basis. Writing is no different. Our shortcomings manifest themselves into our words. Once you notice that you're doing it....I mean, once you really notice it, you feel completely inadequate for not recognizing it earlier! So, something I took away from this section which wasn't outwardly stated....is, embrace the fact that you're human. Acknowledge your imperfections. IT'S OKAY.
I don't know if that made any sense at all. But forgive me, because I'm human.
"When we chronically act in self defeating ways, when we stumble over stupidities that are only partially visible, we cannot improve our confidence and self-esteem"
I think relating sociological concepts to understand writing blocks was really helpful. It's really simple to identify what self-defeating behaviors apply to each of us. Or at least it was for me! Maybe because I have so many...don't we all? We're human, after all.
I think such a remarkable part of developing mindful writing practices is the honesty you learn to channel within yourself. Awareness allows you to really dig into the depth of your words. Or, show you that...you don't have much depth at all. Maybe everything you've just written is a product of various writing blocks. Maybe you thought it was a masterpiece until you embraced a certain level of consciousness. Or maybe, just maybe, it IS a masterpiece! Point being, study of personal self-defeating behaviors enables you to understand the difference.
My writing has steadily improved, or so I would like to think, and I know that appreciating my flaws was essential throughout this process. That's another point I wanted to make - learning to appreciate your flaws. It's similar to strengthening your meditation technique. The goal of meditation isn't necessarily to clear your mind. You still notice sounds. You still feel vibrations from the floor. You might have just remembered that you left your front door unlocked, before Donna reminds you to return to the breath. This doesn't mean you're a failure at meditating. It means that you're human. The same rules apply for self-defeating behaviors. You still doubt yourself at times. You still dwell over insignificant details. You might undermine your writing capabilities completely, just because of one measly sentence, before you remind yourself to take a break and give yourself some credit for what you've completed so far. This doesn't mean you're a failure at writing. It means that you're human.
I would agree that most self-inflicted mind states that are less than positive affect almost every activity we do on a regular basis. Writing is no different. Our shortcomings manifest themselves into our words. Once you notice that you're doing it....I mean, once you really notice it, you feel completely inadequate for not recognizing it earlier! So, something I took away from this section which wasn't outwardly stated....is, embrace the fact that you're human. Acknowledge your imperfections. IT'S OKAY.
I don't know if that made any sense at all. But forgive me, because I'm human.
Friday, July 19, 2013
I'm alive
Greetings from plague-girl. Two days spent in urgent care and they still don't know what's wrong with me. I'm a little loopy so I'll catch up on my blogging later tonight.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
BDS
Today my BDS starting out frustrating but ended on a high note. I think I may have sat down in a bad mood after an argument with my landlord.
I was glancing over my outline preparing to begin a new paragraph. This is one I had been dreading because it required a ton of sources. Citations. Sigh. I looked at my scribbled notes from class that highlighted the writing problem blocks we have been discussing. Apprehension noted.
Another item I focussed on was ensuring my writing was speaking to the correct audience, not just me.
I consciously wrote with those two factors in mind and also discovered another method that helped.
During my 5 minute break, I re-read the assignment instructions. Of course I knew what they were, but re-reading them trained my brain to think about the project more specifically than I had been. What better way to ensure your writing is meeting the expectations of your professor? The assignment sheet is a great reference to use.
I realize this sounds a little dumb. Of course the assignment sheet is a good reference, your thinking. Duh, your thinking. But reading it slowly, thoroughly, and reading it again, is a great memory to have in mind when you return to writing. It fuels your critical thinking, and forces you to question if the sentences your writing are valuable. It's a good way to exclude anything that appears to be good but doesn't serve much of a purpose(like those sentences with unnecessary embellished vocabulary that college kids squeeze into papers to stretch out the page count).
My writing was quite mindful today.
I was glancing over my outline preparing to begin a new paragraph. This is one I had been dreading because it required a ton of sources. Citations. Sigh. I looked at my scribbled notes from class that highlighted the writing problem blocks we have been discussing. Apprehension noted.
Another item I focussed on was ensuring my writing was speaking to the correct audience, not just me.
I consciously wrote with those two factors in mind and also discovered another method that helped.
During my 5 minute break, I re-read the assignment instructions. Of course I knew what they were, but re-reading them trained my brain to think about the project more specifically than I had been. What better way to ensure your writing is meeting the expectations of your professor? The assignment sheet is a great reference to use.
I realize this sounds a little dumb. Of course the assignment sheet is a good reference, your thinking. Duh, your thinking. But reading it slowly, thoroughly, and reading it again, is a great memory to have in mind when you return to writing. It fuels your critical thinking, and forces you to question if the sentences your writing are valuable. It's a good way to exclude anything that appears to be good but doesn't serve much of a purpose(like those sentences with unnecessary embellished vocabulary that college kids squeeze into papers to stretch out the page count).
My writing was quite mindful today.
#13 - isn't this an unlucky number?
"Make a habit of writing amid comfortable, moderately uninterrupted conditions where all you do is writing"
This is a challenge. To create a relaxed atmosphere with few distractions where all I focus on is writing...I might have to rent a storage unit and put a desk in there or something.
I find that writing on my laptop causes a few strains. My eyes hurt if I stare at the screen too long. My left pinky always cramps. And as for interruptions, I can't remember the last time my internet had only one window open. I always have tabs at the top for my email and an assortment of random tabs that I didn't close from unusual google searches. (I looked up how to chop up a pineapple this morning. The pre-cut containers are so over-priced!)
There is also mention of getting into a habit of writing at the same time every day. This is tough. My day to day activities vary. I'm usually busy from 9am-6pm every day with class and work.
And then of course, the unpredictable. A trip to urgent care. A meeting with the landlord to get the air conditioning fixed. There's always something unplanned that sneaks into my day and rudely snatches a portion of my time.
I think I will try to make 8pm my time to write.
This is a challenge. To create a relaxed atmosphere with few distractions where all I focus on is writing...I might have to rent a storage unit and put a desk in there or something.
I find that writing on my laptop causes a few strains. My eyes hurt if I stare at the screen too long. My left pinky always cramps. And as for interruptions, I can't remember the last time my internet had only one window open. I always have tabs at the top for my email and an assortment of random tabs that I didn't close from unusual google searches. (I looked up how to chop up a pineapple this morning. The pre-cut containers are so over-priced!)
There is also mention of getting into a habit of writing at the same time every day. This is tough. My day to day activities vary. I'm usually busy from 9am-6pm every day with class and work.
And then of course, the unpredictable. A trip to urgent care. A meeting with the landlord to get the air conditioning fixed. There's always something unplanned that sneaks into my day and rudely snatches a portion of my time.
I think I will try to make 8pm my time to write.
Self Assessment
I found the assessment blocks to be very telling. I recognized certain characteristics that I've know about for quite some time. I don't procrastinate as much as I used to, but old habits die hard. I get anxious about writing and I build it up to be more complex than it really is in my head. But one of them really stuck out to me that I don't believe I've recognized before.
Writing for myself instead of my audience. Guilty as charged. I find it really difficult to produce something completely objective. I'm going to blame some of this on my major (political science), but I should be able to analyze information and explain it without placing my own opinions in it.
I always unintentionally insert my perception. I decide what the main points are. I select what's important and exclude things I consider irrelevant.
This doesn't pose a problem for one of the writing assignments I'm working on, but it does for another (which is a research paper on the role media plays during the policy making process).
Going forward, I know I need be mindful of what the assignment is instead of reconstructing it to accommodate the argument I'm trying to make.
Writing for myself instead of my audience. Guilty as charged. I find it really difficult to produce something completely objective. I'm going to blame some of this on my major (political science), but I should be able to analyze information and explain it without placing my own opinions in it.
I always unintentionally insert my perception. I decide what the main points are. I select what's important and exclude things I consider irrelevant.
This doesn't pose a problem for one of the writing assignments I'm working on, but it does for another (which is a research paper on the role media plays during the policy making process).
Going forward, I know I need be mindful of what the assignment is instead of reconstructing it to accommodate the argument I'm trying to make.
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