1. Ways of Being a Writer c. N Haigh, Edquest

2. Some perspectives diver, patchwork writer, grand planner, architect (Crème and Lea) architects, bricklayers, oil painters, water colourists (Chandler) time of day preferred environment – the introversion/extraversion factor soloist – collaborator Writing Together Case studies, issues and options

3. Diver Writer? Starts writing - to find out what wants to say. Starts anywhere - sees what emerges - before developing a plan. Makes several dives - before considers tying together what written. Writing considered a part of thinking process

4. Patchwork Writer? First - decides on some subtopics - writes about them While writing - decides whether subtopics relevant – whether/how can be combined. Later - combines subtopics with linking ideas and words. Writing is an aid to thinking.

5. Grand Plan Writer? Reads, makes notes, thinks Does not write until has plan for ‘what to write’. Can’t say what plan is until write it down. Then plan comes out nearly complete = an epiphany. Writing is an outcome of thinking

6. Architect Writer? First - makes lots of notes, sketches out many ideas. Has sense of structure almost before content. Produces complex plan/‘map’ early in process. Sees writing as – communicating ideas already clear in mind.

7. ? Which way is most like your own? How stable is your way? Have you changed over time? How do you think your way is different? What might be advantages and disadvantages of these different ways? Might there benefits from adjusting your way?

8. Architects Have conscious planning and design processes for writing. Less likely to see writing as – a way of thinking Generally follow classic plan – write – edit sequence More likely to leave and come back to writing.

9. Bricklayers Built up text slowly Every sentence/paragraph polished before go on. More likely to leave and come back to writing. Usually have clear idea of what they want to say. Thinking leads to writing.

10. Oil painters Work fairly slowly Keep making alterations (over paint) Tendency – minimal planning + maximum alteration May be too writer-centred - not sufficiently reader-oriented

11. Water colourists Work quickly (once paint dried, picture cannot be altered). Minimal alterations In single attempt – produce near perfect product May be insufficiently attentive to readers If word processing skills limited may feel – cannot work fast enough – and dissatisfied.

12. When and Where? Do you have preferred times of day for writing? – circadian rhythms – am or pm person? Do you have a preferred environment – the introversion/extraversion factor?

13. Writing Alone - Together? What preferences? What pros and cons?

14. Some of my writing strategies, methods, tools Turn off editor. From coarse granularity to refined grains. Polish later. Try the ‘nutshelling ’ process. When bogged down, try talking vs writing. (try out ways of expressing ideas). Note: Tape record supervision sessions

15. Some of my writing strategies, methods, tools Have a grand writing plan But divide into ‘complete-able’ tasks. Write – incubate - write get past ‘first thoughts’ and ‘taken for granted’ ideas. Have a writing buddy/critical friend - sounding board - mapping partner - source of feedback Note: giving someone else feedback helps make explicit own writing criteria