I felt Donald M. Murray’s frustration at being asked to write something unfamiliar within a strict one-hour time limit in an uncomfortable, unfamiliar environment. It was basically torture (i’m being dramatic), but it shows that even a skilled writer like Murray struggles with the need to plan, maintain audience awareness, work in a familiar setting, and, most importantly, revise. After reading Decisions and Revisions: The Planning Strategies of a Publishing Writer, and Response of a Laboratory Rat by Carol Berkenkotter and Donald M. Murray, I realized I hate being limited when it comes to writing. I used to think I liked it because the pressure helped me focus and avoid distractions, but reading about Murray’s experience, having to write on an unknown topic within a strict time constraint in a strange room, made him feel defeated and even useless. He couldn’t use his usual methods, like thinking aloud and jotting down examples, and the restrictions he had to deal with had a major impact on his writing.
Murray had his own writing habits, and without them, he couldn’t work effectively like he used to. I can relate because I also have a process that, while maybe not perfect, helps me get my writing done. If I lose that process, I start to panic. When it comes to timed essays or assignments, I used to think I was okay with it; the anxiety just seemed like typical nerves. Then I noticed, without my usual methods to help me brainstorm and organize my ideas, I’m left with just “toughing it out” and hoping for the best. Again, I now realize I hate being restricted like this, I want to be able to think, plan, and revise my work without limits. Revising is an essential part of writing; without it, you’re not likely to produce a well-thought-out paper.
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