This is the second part of a two-part article
Earlier I wrote an essay focusing on exercises, procedures and processes suggested by Peter Elbow, most of which I endorsed. Today, with this piece, I am focusing on other wisdom that he has provided. As with part one, which focused on Dillard, I am going to focus on ideas and advice which match my own beliefs and experiences as a writer. Both Elbow and Annie Dillard are widely recognized and revered for their writings and for their books about writing. These articles of mine have a shared intent: To help others with their composition and writing processes.
What I like most about Peter Elbow’s advice is that it emphasizes the writer doing the composing and writing and pushing away, until later, contemplation about the audience possible critics and how it will be received. Elbow is quick to admit that following this advice can lead to bad writing.
That brings to mind an important distinction: Just because you write something does not mind you need to share it or try to get it published. At some future time I will write a piece intended to help you determine how you can tell if something you wrote is good or bad.
Not everyone needs to change their current composing and writing process. Some lucky people are able to write on any topic with no problems. To those people Elbow writes: “If your writing works well following an approach much different from what I advise, don’t change. But if your approach is not working well for you, why continue with it just because it is habitual or comfortable? Why not try my advice? I’d argue that it was rational. If you want your writing to go better, you may have to learn a process that drives you crazy at first.”
Writing Advice From Peter Elbow, With Some Assistance From Me
1. Don’t write defensively - Don’t let fear of a bad reaction or negative comments get in the way of good writing. Peter Elbow notes that this is particularly a problem resulting from teachers who, unintentionally, discourage writers. He writes,
We are often told to drive defensively, assume that there’s a driver you don’t notice who is careless or drunk and may kill you. Good advice for driving, but not for writing. Too many students write as though every sentence they write might be criticized for a fault they didn’t notice. Defensive writing means not risking: not risking complicated thoughts or language, not risking half-understood ideas, not risking language that has the resonance that comes from being close to the bone.
2. Instead, Write With Power - In an author’s note Elbow explains what he means by the title of this book:
Writing with power means getting power over words and readers; writing clearly and correctly; writing what is true or real or interesting; and writing persuasively or making some kind of contact with your readers so that they can actually experience your meaning or vision.
But writing with power also means getting power over yourself and over the writing process; knowing what you are doing as you write; being in charge; having control; not feeling stuck or helpless or intimidated. I am particularly interested in this second kind of power in writing and I have found that without it you seldom achieve the first kind.
3. Block the critics, be they your inner editor or other people - Elbow writes: “Put your effort into experiencing the tree you want to describe, not on thinking about what words to use. Don’t put your attention on quality or critics. Just write.”
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