Posted by Often on The Write Attitude, we try to help our readers better understand writing fundamentals and how to tackle common issues in writing. However, we also want to acknowledge that even talented writers are still developing their skills and still encounter pitfalls. We hope to show that everyone’s in a state of improvement.
This month, we ask our specialists what issues they struggle with in their own writing. These may be issues they’ve always had or ones they only recently realized were issues. After each response, some will talk about how they cope with their writing-related struggle or insecurity. Because we plan to develop this post into a future series, we want to allow our tutors a space to talk freely about their inner issues related to their writing. As a result, many responses will be labeled as anonymous.
Anonymous: I’m actually taking a creative writing class right now, and that involves writing poetry. I haven’t written poetry since elementary school, so it was challenging to figure out what to write. In poetry, grammar and academic language don’t matter, it’s more about having a unique voice. It’s definitely a different set of writing goals than I’m used to.
I looked to my personal history for experiences that maybe don’t appear in poetry I’ve seen that often. I also figured out how to switch off my grammar proofreading mode that I almost always have on.
Matthew: As an engineering student, much of my writing is in the form of reports with a given format. I struggle with identifying where information belongs in this format, and transitioning between sections.
I haven’t had a breakthrough yet, but typically rely on feedback and peer comparisons.
Anonymous: I tend to come up with a surplus of ideas, so much so that I have a bit too much fun with the planning and outlining process. I spend too much time having to sort out what I should include and what I should cut. As a result, I don’t have as much time to revise at the end of the process.
I find that improving other areas of my schedule, as well as working on time management outside of writing, is starting to help.
Anonymous: I struggle with writing concisely; I’ve written long and complex sentences all my life, and now I have to write professional material that is straightforward and brief.
I learned about some strategies from joining the Writing Center and having to help other students. It’s helped me, too!
Ramya: Using academic words rather than casual words.
I started using a thesaurus to help me find different words
Anonymous: I am constantly dissatisfied with my writing. I love it and have received wonderful feedback through my writing career, but I have yet to look back on my writing months later and feel satisfied with my end result.
Somewhat. I’ve been working to take it as a learning/growing experience, of course, but I’ve been experimenting with varying methods to tackle my usual roadblocks during the writing process to see if it impacts my finished work. I’m not sure what impact it actually does have, but it’s been a good challenge for myself.
Anonymous: I have a hard time forming a coherent structure for my paper whenever there is a lot of ground to cover, and I have a bunch of ideas for seemingly every area. It’s difficult for me to discern what is essential and relevant enough that it must be included in the paper, and what information, albeit interesting, can be left out.
Anonymous: I procrastinate. I’ve delayed research on projects and waited until the morning of the due date to start papers.
I keep a notebook where I write ideas for papers when they come up in class, which keeps me focused on the paper.
Anonymous: I used to have difficulty expressing my thoughts in an organized manner. It was often written as a stream of consciousness.
I did have a breakthrough once I realized the importance of a solid, well-written thesis.
Anonymous: Writing conclusions. I hate concluding my paper. I try so hard to not repeat my introduction that I end up with something totally unrelated to the paper. I also, for some reason, get very philosophical in conclusions, and like to make grand statements about humanity.
One thing I learned to ask myself is, “so what?” Why should the reader care about my paper? What is the point of the argument I made? It has helped to make my conclusions more relevant to the topic at hand.
We’re here to work together on our writing struggles!
The Write Attitude 