Comments on: Why it’s better to write than to BE right

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 15:47:00 +0000

In reply to Maria Alejandra Brons. Thanks for your insightful comments, Maria. It is intriguing to speculate where these new ideas come from (our deep subconscious, perhaps?) But I know that mindmapping, writing quickly and editing are the best ways to articulate them.

By: Maria Alejandra Brons

Maria Alejandra Brons — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 13:42:00 +0000

I relate to what you say about learning while I am writing. It starts fuzzily when I am mindmapping my research. Then, when I write, new ideas come forth, seemingly out of the back of my mind; actually, they must be prompted by something invisible on my mindmap. But, while I edit, that is when I come up with the best insights. Writing has magic to it.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 14:01:00 +0000

In reply to Anthony. Yes, I agree: this powerful in situations other than writing.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 14:00:00 +0000

In reply to Zahn. Oh my goodness! Of course native speakers make mistakes! That's just the reality of how languages work. They're always changing and our knowledge is sometimes uncertain...

By: Anthony

Anthony — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 05:40:00 +0000

Hello nice post I agree with everything. Actually all of this relates to the fact of being confident with the do /learn by testing process which is powerful in any situation not only writing. Since people become confident with this try and learn method all become easier and even self confidence strengthen.

By: Zahn

Zahn — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 05:18:00 +0000

Uau! Very interesting. As a english student, it’s very interesting know that even native english speakers make mistakes when they write. Well, I can tell you that it’s encourage me much more to keep trying and practicing. Thank you so much!!!

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 01:31:00 +0000

In reply to LE Williams. No one ever gets anything right the first time! I hope you're able to give yourself more leeway, now.

By: LE Williams

LE Williams — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 19:56:00 +0000

This is good advice! I get caught up in the “it has to be perfect the first time” mind set. And, I’m a full-blooded procrastinator. Your comment about “we learn when we start writing…” makes a lot of sense to me. It was an “aha moment” to read that! It’s now on a post-it-note on my desk as a daily encouragement to just start writing!

By: Philip

Philip — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:43:00 +0000

In reply to Daphne Gray-Grant. Absolutely. Thinking about publishing only leads to paralysis. With my need to please, I end up trying to cater to a publisher I have never met, or even an audience I cannot predict. Writing the book (or at least the first draft) for myself and only myself is freeing.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 15:10:00 +0000

In reply to Petruta. You simply need an editing PROCESS. Something that's linear and predictable so you're never in the position of asking yourself "is this any good?" That's way too vague and imprecise! Instead, give yourself some measurables: Sentence length is an excellent place to start: Begin editing by working towards an average sentence length of 14 to 18 words.