Michaela Ramirez describes writer’s block and a few ways it can be prevented. I agree with her statement that writer’s block is not the worst thing in the writing world, and that it is normal at times. Some precautions that Ramirez suggests for diminishing writer’s block include ignoring the rubric, sleeping on it, and, her favorite precaution, doing an activity to calm your nerves. This last one is also my favorite precaution, as I tend to spend my free days doing my favorite activities such as listening to music, going on walks, and resting in bed watching videos. I typically do not do these activities because of writer’s block or procrastination. I plan and schedule when I do which assignments, and work in my leisurely activities based around those times to do my assignments. Another form of activity I do, maybe as an unintentional precaution, is to spend time on campus after class, whether hanging out with friends or playing piano. I do those things until I am mentally prepared to do my assignments. When I get writer’s block, I tend to get distracted, which means I need to be in a really quiet area by myself in order to write at my full capacity. I also sometimes just close my laptop and reschedule for a time not too close to the assignment’s due date.
Christopher Morales discusses the idea of outlines and how students are often required to follow a specific formal outline in order to complete their writing. I believe that outlines can be very beneficial to the writing process, however, enforcing a formal outline for every student as a vital part of their writing grade is not a great approach. I agree with Morales’ suggestion of giving students three to five options for outlines and having them choose which one works best for them. This takes some stress off the students, and provides them far more leeway than what they would have been given. My outlines are typically notes for what to say in each paragraph, and I build upon those points as I write. Sometimes I may not even need an outline, and that is when I spill out my thoughts as I type. Afterwards, of course, I go back and make my changes based on what I or my professor believe should be worked upon. My writing process depends on what I’m writing, how long I have to do it, and how fast it takes for me to come up with ideas about my response. If the assignment requires a heavy amount of research and content, then an outline may be necessary. However, that is just my personal way of writing, since not all writers write (or outline) the same way.
In Alexus Yeakel’s “Failure Is Awesome,” the author describes failure in a way that I completely agree with. Failure is a point in the process at which writers get the opportunity to learn and revise, changing what may be necessary to change, and ultimately finalizing the assignment. Yeakel describes failure as a “climax point” in the process – a natural and necessary moment in the writing. Failure does not only occur in the writing process, but in the business and career process as well. Yeakel mentions Dr. Seuss and Walt Disney as examples. However, there are a few more failure examples that come to my mind. Sylvester Stallone was turned down for Rocky multiple times, as he was desperate to get the film made. Ultimately, Irwin Winkler picked it up and the film became one of the most recognized projects in Hollywood. A more recent example is the pop sensation Chappell Roan. Before her sudden rise in popularity, she was signed with Atlantic Records for three years until they decided to drop her because her singles were not profitable enough for them. As she went independent and released more singles, her streams rose in numbers, leading her to become the latest figure in pop music culture. I agree that failure is necessary, as it is a learning process, and so many artists and writers can benefit from it.
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