Writerly Identity

When it comes to writing, it is difficult to say what my strengths or weaknesses are.

I have a fairly good vocabulary, but sometimes using elaborate sentences can sound like a ploy... A simple and failing attempt to get by with only a limited knowledge of a subject. I'm not saying I'd EVER use it for that, but I guess I can see how you may think it is all just baloney.

Expressing my honest opinions is usually not very difficult for me to do. I greatly enjoy writing analyses of books or historical events or politics... Pretty much anything really... But my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE kind of writing is, strangely enough, research papers.... While most kids enjoyed their lovely summer afternoons in middle school, I sat at home writing a 3+ page research paper on humming birds. Why? I have no clue. But I still remember some of the crazy facts I learned. I know, I must be insane or something, I am not denying it.

There are many ways I can improve my writing. I need to get better at reading my writing with a critical eye so that I don't always hand them in at least 200 words over the limit. I also need to get better at correcting errors. I am usually so excited to be done when I finally finish writing that I print and call it complete. The whole "editing" thing never really crosses my mind until I find someone to read it for me... I am hoping to work on both of these this semester in my writing class...

For me, writing is like a box of chocolates. Just kidding. Really though, for me writing is like a mini battle against myself. I have to force myself to stop contemplating what to write and just start! I tend to spend WAY too much time analyzing the question and looking at it from a million perspectives to try and find what I like best. Then I sit retyping the first sentence over and over again. Once that's down though, I am literally ready to go and I keep typing until my fingers are numb... Things come easily for a while. When I finish typing and need to read it over, the battle starts right back up. I hate reading my papers over like I said earlier because it is so gosh darn frustrating. I mean really, I just finished writing, why the heck do I need to read it? That's usually when I pass it on for peer(or parental)-editing... The next day I will force myself to try and sit down and read it again, usually finding various silly spelling or grammar mistakes... Handing it in is like the final signing of the peace treaty with myself. Sounds fun, doesn't it?