I do not believe that the process of writing can be captured realistically 100%. For starters, the idea of using the think-aloud protocol, developed by Sondra Perl in 1979, in my opinion, is utterly ridiculous. While on paper, this theory may sound appealing to some extent; the awkwardness and artificial process that it would result in, does not. If I were a Youtuber, talking to a recording device for hours a day, this process may seem natural. However, there will always be bloopers and retakes, all to get the “perfect take.” Yet, if I have to repeat the same “welcome back to my channel” over and over again, because I am worried about how I sound, if I’m centered, or how the lighting should be brighter, my videos are no longer genuine. The same can be said for my writing. If I were to undergo the experience of using the think-aloud protocol, the same way Donald M. Murray did, under the supervision of Carol Berkenkotter, I think I’d lose my mind.
Even now as I write, I am speaking aloud, making sure every sentence is coherent and worth reading. Now if a recording device was facing me or Ms. Berkenkotter followed me to my house and watched me for two days; I might just close my computer and refuse to continue. To me, my writing is personal, especially the process. I am a high maintenance writer. My writing process requires isolation and quiet. I do not write around people because I think aloud and worry others will overhear. My phone, music, an uncomfortable chair, temperature, and lighting in the room, all serve as distractions prohibiting me from writing comfortably. Just last week, I had to change rooms and shirts because I was feeling agitated from the heat. Once I did, I was finally able to write and the words just flooded out of me.
I may not be a professional writer, like Mr. Murray, however, I can understand why it was so difficult to use the think-aloud protocol. This method simply isn’t feasible for a writer to excel with. In fact, it does the complete opposite by stripping writers of their own unique process by turning it into an almost televised one – a script. While my writing is meant to adapt to each audience, I do not wish for my thoughts to do the same. Writing can not be captured realistically 100%. Even if one writing process is, the same process will not apply to every writer. If it did, there would be no variation, creativity, or even an interest to develop new methods of understanding what exactly the writing process is.
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