Readers Response #6

In “The Inspired Writer vs. The Real Writer,” Sarah Allen discusses the differences between the inspired writer versus what we do when we write. Allen states that even professional writers have experiences with “slogging’ through their own writing processes. She also mentions good strategies on revising your paper and who to go to for such revisions.

It’s hard for me to really connect Allen’s piece to a previous reading. I think what makes her article different than the ones I have read is that most of the time the articles I have read are ideas I have never even thought about. Her article was very clear to me, and didn’t make me think like the ones we have read.

 Before You Read:

1. When I think about professionals writing I imagine it to be very time consuming and all over the place. I don’t think there experiences are any easier than the rest of us. I believe everyone has a different writing process, expert or not.

QD:

1. The myth of the inspirational writer is a familiar one. You have a writer that gets an inspiration and literally can’t stop writing and comes up with an amazing piece. This discourages students that don’t feel the same way. It makes students think because it doesn’t come so naturally that it can’t be as amazing. The reality is that many good pieces come from people who aren’t inspired writers and most of the time from people who have worked really hard.

3. I am guilty of some form of conclusion. In high school writing so many essays for acceptances one of my teachers actually edited my piece by rewriting almost every sentence. I didn’t realize that was a form of plagiarism until reading it in the text now. I think conclusion doesn’t always have to be a form of plagiarism. I think revision is an important step in the writing process. I believe there can be minor and major cases when it comes to conclusion.

AE:

1. I can’t recall ever using imitation in a piece of writing. I have realized that I love the style a writer has used but never decided to try it out for myself. I think this would be appropriate when you’re establishing your style. Wanting to imitate how a writer writes isn’t technically plagiarism.

MM:

1. I have never really had an experience with an inspired writer. I have felt a little discouraged when writing didn’t come as easy. I think my experience will be better when it comes to my struggles, I will have a more broad view on how many people feel the same way as me. It will make my writing easier by not giving up as quickly.

I really liked Allen’s article “The Inspired Writer vs. The Real Writer”. I think it helped me gain more confidence with my writing. It was an easier piece to read and I definitely understood it a lot more clear than other pieces I have read in the past.