Looking back at the many pieces I have written for Daily Themes over the course of the semester, I can definitely see ways in which my writing has improved. I’ve started to develop a writerly voice: a combination of short, direct phrases, intentionally controlled sentence-lengths, and the occasional lapse into pedagogical expression. I don’t write as nervously, which is to say, I qualify my phrases less often. I’m also becoming a better editor. I’m less afraid to cut words, phrases, even whole sentences, and I’m getting better at knowing when I ought to. In first drafts, I still tend to repeat myself, to rephrase ideas slightly differently to little purpose. My guess is that I always will. Having the wherewithal to go back and cut things after a second reading, however, makes all the difference.
My dad has been keeping a journal daily since he was my age. Every day, he writes down the things he hears that stick with him. He doesn’t write much new himself – it’s mostly others’ words that he finds interesting, but I always admired him for committing to such a regular writing process. I also used to think I lacked the discipline to commit to something similarly. This class, however, has shown me that I can write every day, and that I enjoy doing so. I will definitely continue to write this summer. And when I move to London in the fall, I plan on starting up a new blog. I’m already excited about it.
Thanks for a great class!
No comments:
Post a Comment