I love outlines...

Elbow’s theories are the absolute last thing I would have expected from a writing teacher. Every instructor that I have every worked with has stressed the importance of making sure that my writing was exceptionally organized from the very first outline. This has been what has been ingrained in my brain from the time I was ten. The idea of writing without detailed preparation is somewhat foreign to me. I am VERY attached to my outlines…

The biggest problem that I am going to have with following Elbow’s way of writing is not having a “plan.” I will admit it, I am an organizational freak. I am one of those people that not only arrange my underwear drawer by color, but by the actual color wheel. I’m really not kidding. My children think it is hilarious to mess up my alphabetically arranged DVD collection, and “watch Mommy go crazy!” You may laugh, but disorder causes me panic. I have always attempted to fit my writing into a very specific and organized little box. Now I think that maybe I have been doing it all wrong. Again, I am VERY attached to my outlines…

As much as I don’t like to admit it, Elbow’s theories make sense. I think that applying his techniques to certain aspects of my writing can really help me move forward. I can definitely see how it would help with “writer’s block” and coming up with that very frustrating first sentence. Though I recognize that he makes sense, just leaving my DVD collection unorganized makes sense too. I know that in the next 24-48 hours, my children will have “The Shining” slipped right in front of “Armageddon” anyway. Though I WANT to try and use free writing regularly, it may physically hurt me to slip out of my writing routine. Did I mention that I like outlines?

Before I absolutely consent to completely giving up my very controlled writing, I would have to give myself a trial period. I was very pleasantly surprised by my writing during the free writing exercise last week. I wrote without any specific direction and it was actually fun! I can see how free writing a first draft can be helpful for creative writing. I am slightly skeptical still as to how I can apply it to my research papers, but I’m willing to give it my best. My organizational obsession drives everyone in my family nuts and probably isn’t entirely healthy for my children. Perhaps giving up a slight bit of control in my writing will help me to relax a little and really, what could be better than that?