My thoughts on Elbow...albeit a little late

To begin, I'd like to say that I believe that the "Teacherless Writing Class" is a good idea. I say this, because, if nothing else, it facilitates the sharing of opinions and ideas among a small band of writers, and, I would argue that this process could only be helpful. After all, I don't think any writer can get an honest assessment of their writing until someone else reads it. So, it makes sense that Elbow recommends that 7 to 12 people read it. The more, the merrier.

Here is something interesting that I picked out of the reading: Elbow says, "Whenever people work in only one genre, they gradually become blind to certain excrescences" (79). He makes a good point. I think that good readers are those individuals who possess an ability to negotiate a wide range of texts. The same thing goes for good writers, I would imagine. It seems to me that the more diversified someone can be in respect to their writing abilities, the better the writer they will become.

Something else struck me: Elbow says, "Hearing your own words out loud gives you the vicarious experience of being someone else" (82). This is a unique way to look at this experience; one that I have never considered before. But, I guess he's right, because I often find that while I am writing at home, I routinely speak aloud during the process. This is my way of finding my own voice while I am actively engaged in the writing process. And, more often than not, this technique seems to work -- at least until I make alterations in the next draft.

I like that Elbow stresses not to make apologies for one's writing. In doing this, he seems to be saying that it's okay to produce writing that doesn't always come out the way you planned, or that, once in awhile, it might not even make sense. This things are expected, especially from writers who are new to the process. Moreover, I think that, in saying that it's okay to make mistakes, he tries to lessen some of the impending doom, or fear, that many writers feel toward the writing process itself. Bravo to Elbow for saying this. I get the feeling that he just wants to implore writers to pull up their sleeves and get into the muck and mud of this arduous task known as writing. Sure, it's going to be hard sometimes, but why should that hinder us as writers (I feel like I am spilling my own thoughts out on paper right now; this thoughts really aren't Elbow's, but that's okay).

Anyway, the best thing that writers can do is simply write, and then share their stuff. That seems like the best way to learn -- or, at least, that's what I got after reading the last third of Elbow. Sorry this is late. Enjoy, and thanks.

I apologize for publishing the wrong blog a few weeks ago. I should have checked the schedule.

Jason