My writing style has changed quite a bit since we started English 103. I actually think I’ve come full circle and my writing has finally grown up with me.
When I was younger I used to be a great writer. It was the one thing that teachers and family always commented on and it was the one thing I thought I could do well. For a while I thought about becoming a writer. Well, more specifically a screen writer. Then something changed.
Sometime in high school I lost my writing ability. I became embarrassed to show my work to anyone and started dreading writing essays for fear that I would have to show them. I obsessed over what my teacher’s remarks would be to the point where I just felt sick to my stomach. And this carried into college.
Although I passed my English 101 class, it wasn’t with the grade that I expected. I wanted so desperately to be good at writing again, but those same fears kept inhibiting me. I even feel those fears to this day, but I think they’re better. Something about this class has made me feel better about myself and my writing. I think that is shown in my writing as well. I feel that what I write is stronger and more confident, although there is still some work to be done. Sometimes the things come out of my head one way and wind up on the paper another way. It makes for a confusing read. But with the help of my classmates in the PDR’s and the comments left on my blog posts I find that I’m seeing easier ways to express my ideas. Through all the reading we’ve done on language I’m more understanding of the power it holds and what I can do with it.
My vocabulary has strengthened as well. For a long time I wrote the way in the same manner that I spoke which, if we’re being honest here, doesn’t always make sense. Thanks to this class I think that I’ve found a way to have my voice in my writing while at the same time coming across as more coherent. I feel that now, after having been in this class for the past eleven weeks, that I can better communicate with people.
The fear that I had when it came to writing to people was nearly disabling in the first few weeks of this class. I was worried every time I posted a blog and spent 30 minutes staring at the submit button before posting my first draft for the peer review. My palms got sweaty and my heart raced a little. Today, I do not hesitate. I take what my peers say about my writing and I use it to better myself and slowly but surely I am becoming more proud of my writing. The people closest to me have gained the ability to read my writing and the best part is that they can understand it better. I’m grateful for what this class has done for my writing skills and I can’t wait to see what the next five weeks will do to enhance my writing.
I'm glad you're feeling more confident about your writing. I often feel the same way, where I'm terrified to turn it in. I get myself so worked up with worry about it, and then when I finally submit it, it really isn't that bad. I've learned to share my writing with school, but I still have this crippling fear of someone reading all the fiction I have written. I'm so afraid to let someone read it so they can help me improve it because I'm afraid they'll just laugh. It hasn't happened with the two stories that people have pried out of my grip, but it still worries me.
ReplyDeleteYou shouldn't worry, though. You're a very good writer. I love to read your blog. It's one of my favorites. I like the way you write your thoughts out. Sometimes expressing your thoughts is the hardest part of this whole blog deal. Communication is one of those things that is key to being successful, but it is often so hard to master. I think you have gotten much better at communicating since we started. Your confidence seems to have grown, too.
I can't wait to see how we will do in these upcoming five weeks, also. I hope that we can manage to improve even more.