Reading and Writing Practice
A writing practice is carefully considering what environmental conditions help you read and write best and to try to set those conditions as much as possible when reading and writing.
Some examples are:
- What time of day do you write best?
- Do you like noise or silence?
- Do you prefer a desk or somewhere more informal?
- How do you manage distractions?
- If you like music to help, what kind of music works best for you?
For now, I just want you to think about how/when/where you do your best writing. We are going to do more on this in the next couple of classes, but I wanted you to think about this now because it is important. Writing is a fully embodied experience; it is not just your words on a page.
On Thursday, we will talk more about ways to set up the best conditions possible for a good writing practice that works for you. For now, in the comments below, tell me about the last time you had what you would call a “successful” writing experience. Take that to mean what you want it to. For example: you were proud of your writing, you felt like you were in a “flow” and got a lot done, you enjoyed yourself (as much as you can if you don’t like writing that much!), etc.
Respond to these questions in your comment as well as providing a brief reflection on why your writing practice that day helped you have a successful writing session. Comment on this page before moving on:
| Where were you writing? (e.g., library, office, at home, coffee shop–probably at home if since March! If so, think about what room you were in or the location of a room)
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| What were the sounds of this environment? (e.g., noise of a coffee shop, music, silence)
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| What time of day were you writing? (e.g., early morning, late night)
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| Were you alone or with someone else? (e.g., a writing partner or group, a pet)
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| Did you have snacks or drinks to help keep you energized? (e.g., coffee, nuts, dark chocolate)
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| Any objects or rituals that brought comfort? (e.g., favorite mug, paper to doodle on, an object to play with to help with anxiety [e.g., pipe cleaner, bottle cap, fidget cube], writing at a table, comfortable chair, using a pillow for back)
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| How did you avoid or manage distractions? (e.g., timer for writing and breaks, turned off phone)
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| Did you ensure you had quality breaks? (e.g., physical activity like a walk, meditation or mindfulness practice, snack, looking away from a screen)
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| Did you do any metacognitive work? (e.g., planning your writing, goal setting for what you wanted to get done, reflecting on how the writing went)
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Once you have commented below answering these questions and reflecting on how they contributed to a successful writing session, click the button below to continue.
I believe my last “successful” writing occurred yesterday, when I reflected on my degree of happiness after taking a “happiness test.”
I was writing in my living room.
It was nice and quiet, and put on some calming music.
I was writing around 9:30 PM.
I was alone.
I just had a glass of water on my desk.
I don’t have any particular objects or rituals. I think having a clean and organize desk helps with focus.
There wasn’t much distraction. I can feel that I’m in a different state of mind when I was writing. I was almost integrated with my words during that time.
I looked away from the screen once in a while to help myself think.
Not much “metacognitive work” besides having a planner. I didn’t even think that my experience was going to be so profound. I was surprised by how concentrated I was. I think if you have an idea that you are so interested in exploring, the process almost becomes natural. You’re not just “writing” anymore. It becomes more about discovering and appreciating your discoveries.
The last time I has a “successful” writing experience was in highschool while writing an essay for the AP English class.
I was lying on my bed
There was silence, occasionally I would turn on the TV for ambient sound
Afternoon
I was alone
I’m really easily distracted by my phone or TV, now I have techniques to avoid it but back then I probably gave in from time to time
It was around the beginning of quarantine so “quality breaks” were not an option. I would often stop to eat something or relax
I did some very small mental planning of the structure before starting to write and a quick check at the end
My last “successful” writing experience was writing the QSR #2 for our class yesterday
I wrote it while I was in bed
I usually tend to write my work while listening to music.
I began writing at about 12am and I was alone.
I enjoy having snacks while writing as well as an energy drink I used to complete other homework
I enjoy having music playing which was mentioned before and I think it helps me get through a writing session.
I usually tend to take breaks after writing a paragraph and I would give myself to look at my phone and to then resume my work after.
Not any metacognitive work besides having the Anzaldua reading by me and reflecting on the quotes I chose.
My last “successful” writing experience was on Friday, while I was writing a letter to my dad.
1. At home. In the living room.
2. Silence. (If you don’t count the ticking of the clock).
3. I was writing late night around 12am.
4. I was alone.
5. I had water on the table.
6. The paper I used. I used a sheet from my favorite notebook that looks like ancient scroll paper.
7. I couldn’t be distracted. I had so much to write. Which is extremely rare, because I get distracted easily. But when I get in the “flow” I can’t get distracted until all my thoughts are on paper.
8. No, because breaks help me procrastinate.
9. Yes, the main thing I do is try to map my thoughts out on physical paper with a pen or pencil. This helps me give materiality to my ideas. Once that is done then I move to transferring everything on to the computer.
This was not my most recent successful writing assignment, but a writing assignment based experience that I cherish. I had to write a speech on something I was passionate about (although it was not my #1 topic), I decided to go with Pollution. I wrote my speech mainly in my room. I was listening to some of my favorite music while writing. I wrote the piece over the course of multiple days (it was a pretty big deal). I was alone. I wrote it all on Google Docs. I got distracted from time to time, although whenever I am in the middle of a writing piece I rarely get distracted as long as I know what to write down and have my ideas constantly flowing. I normally take breaks as they allow me to recharge and feel better when I come back to my writing piece. The main thing I do when writing to excel is I write down all of the ideas I want to talk about before starting my piece.
1. The last successful writing session was QSR1, in my apartment.
2. It was quiet, but I was listening to music.
3. Overnight into morning. Most of my best studying and work is done overnight because if I have an important test the information is fresh in my mind, or it adds some pressure to get my assignment done.
4. I was alone.
5. I had an energy drink and then ate something later.
6. I don’t need any objects or routine, but I was lying down.
7. I just tune out my notification sounds. Time of day helps a lot.
8. I didn’t get stuck so I took a short break and walked away to eat and came back to revise.
9. For this one I worked backwards, which is typical if I have a lot to say. I outlined some general thoughts and came back to the prompt to see if I was meeting every point. I restructured it all to make the paragraphs lead into each other.
It’s important to be comfortable and focused when you need a successful session. You need an active mind and minimal distractions to get the best performance.
The last time I had a successful writing experience, I was writing in my bedroom. It was completely silent because I felt that the subject I was writing on required total concentration. It was early morning and there was a cool breeze coming in through my window. I was alone and I had a warm cup of coffee to keep me awake and warm. I also had a notebook that I used to jot down ideas and to plan my entire writing. I took periodic breaks after every 30 minutes by setting a timer and either stretched to calm my muscles or just stared outside the window for motivation. I also looked away from the screen severally because doing so helped me to refocus my attention.
The last time I had a successful writing experience was for my final Literature and Film H paper a couple months back. I was sitting on the outside tables located at my local library. Being there brings me peace and quiet. I love hearing the wind and the birds chirping. I was there from about 2 pm to 4 pm. I was alone but sometimes I will go with a friend. I had a bottle of water and a granola bar incase I got hungry. Before typing anything to my laptop, I like to brainstorm and just shortly paraphrase some ideas on a separate sheet of paper. The great thing about the library is that usually there are no distractions. I did make sure I stopped for breaks to relax the mind and stretch. I do like to plan my writing before hand, gives me a sense of structure.
1. I was in the common room of my dorm. It is set up like a living room.
2. I was very quiet with the exception of cricket sounds and occasionally someone walking through the halls to go to the bathroom
3. It was the middle of the night. Probably 2 am.
4. I was all alone
5. I had some brownies before I started working and drank a random tea I found that had caffeine in it.
6. I sat in position on the couch that was most comfortable with my feet up on a stool. I placed a pillow under my arms for extra comfort.
7. I left my phone in my room and closed all the tabs in my computer.
8.I didn’t really take a break until I was satisfied with the amount I wrote. After that I just went to sleep.
9. I did some goal setting and really stuck to a topic and thought and wrote as much as I could about it.
The last time I had a successful writing experience was on Saturday night, I was writing in my room. It was very quiet and I was alone. The time was around 9pm and I just had a couple grilled cheese. I was typing on my computer with my dry erase bored next to me with my “outline.” I went on my my phone after every paragraph so I wouldn’t get distracted. My goal of that night was just to finish my writing and enjoy myself.
1. My last writing was done while I sat on my bed
2. I either like constant noise or nothing at all
3. I like writing late at night
4. I write best when I am alone
5. No snacks, but I did have dinner a few hours before
6.I don’t have any special objects. I just get in a comfortable position on my bed
7. I had no distractions because I was working while everyone else was asleep
8. I think I took a break to get some water at one point. I also take mental breaks where I just kind of space out
9. The only thing I did was set I goal that I would finish before I went to sleep
I believe my last successful writing experience was sometime around june, where I was tasked with writing two three-page essays on two documentaries I had to watch. I was sitting in my room at home, at my desk, in the tiny little area I had set up in my corner and used as a workspace. It was close to night time, particularly because I had spent the day watching and procrastinating the documentaries. I wasn’t alone in my house (my family was there as well, but I was alone in the writing process, if that makes sense. I did not allow myself to eat during that period (I ate dinner BEFORE I sat down and completed my assignment) because I didn’t want any distractions. I didn’t really have a comfort item per se, but my cat did occasionally come over and step and lay down on my laptop in what I’d like believe was a counterproductive form of encouragement from him. I ensured I didn’t get distracted by not taking a break. That sounds bad, but I know myself, and whenever I take breaks, I use that as an excuse to cease doing the work altogether. I sat at that desk for six hours straight and got those essays done in time. Of course, I did follow my typical writing process (see my Slack comment) but this time I had to exclude the part where i go completely blank due to time constraints.