To say that I write a lot in my free time would be a stretch, but finding inspiration to do writings for the classroom is still sometime difficult. Typically I’ll sit down to write a first draft of a paper a week or so in advance, to give myself extra time to think about what I have to say, and then I won’t come back to the paper until several days before it is due. I have difficulty finding inspiration to do papers on subject matter that I find to be, for lack of a better word, dull. Although this practice of waiting to the last minute may perhaps be a bad habit to from, it is the only way that I can seem to get my words down on the paper; it seems I work the best under time constraints and pressure to get it done. On the topic of writers block I find it easiest to listen to music while writing, or even take an hour break or so during the process to get my thoughts into order. For example, I have a paper due on Thursday this week over the issue of conflict in the novel, Belinda, by Maria Edgeworth. I’m sure I won’t start to write my final draft until Tuesday night or Wednesday afternoon. It’s not that I don’t care about the paper, but working within limited time constraints helps me focus on what I need to accomplish.
I wish I could pull of a last minute paper like you! I freak out if I am under pressure to finish something, and I wish that instead of getting frustrated, I would get motivated under time constraints.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you in that music really inspires me to focus and keep writing; last week I actually wrote my blog about how much music inspires me. I've found that George Harrison does a great job at keeping me motivated, haha. Good luck with your paper!
ReplyDeleteI would never, ever admit it to highs chool students, but there have been times my best writing has come under pressure, last minute...but the truth is that most high schools students (except those maybe aspiring to be English teachers) can't pull this off, despite the large number of them who try to do so...
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