Donald Murray Introduced Me to Process Writing

I understand, writing serves many purposes. Sometimes deadlines push me to produce a product with the focus on content instead of style or voice. Authors influence the readers; they impact society and with this responsibility comes the charge not only to communicate a message but to persuade, entertain, motivate, inspire, and feed the readers’ spirit. But often, my goal for writing to understand my thoughts and emotions.

Donald Murray is my favorite writer who teaches writing. This probably shows my age because my first introduction to him was in the early 1980s when I was completing my bachelor’s degree in English. Because I believe wholeheartedly in the process of writing, his wisdom encourages me as I encounter each stage of the process ; his words provide guidance for when I need direction or inspiration. Mr. Murray’s recommendations provide cautious warnings to writers.

Prewrite

Prewriting the actions before the first draft when research, brainstorming, thinking, talking, watching and reading inspire lists and ideas form. A writer’s skills improve through the practice of manipulating words and experimenting with the language. Prewriting allows me to discover what I know.

“The student (writer) finds his own subject. . . It is the responsibility of the student to explore his own world with his own language, to discover his own meaning.” — Murray

Through the process of writing, meaning is discovered. Often as a piece develops, it comes alive and controls the direction of the narrative. When I first read this quote, I began to value my own thoughts.

“The student (writer) uses his own language. . . [as] they embark on a serious search for their own truth.”— Murray

Write

Moving from the prewrite to writing, the paper begins to take a narrative form: sentences and paragraphs. Through the process of writing, meaning is discovered. Often my writing makes its own direction, focuses itself, and cuts its own path.

“The student (writer) should have the opportunity to write all the drafts necessary for him to discover what he has to say . . .” — Murray

Each stage of the writing process fulfills a purpose and the process as a whole is recursive. I grant myself the freedom to move from gathering ideas to drafts and through revision knowing the opportunity to revisit any stage is an opportunity for improvement.

“The student (writer) is encouraged to attempt any form of writing which may help him discover and communicate what he has to say.” — Murray

Revise

Revision means making changes. It can be the most intimidating stage of the process, but it can be the most rewarding. Every topic imaginable has been discussed. Every story has been told. However, during revision, I create a unique piece of art that shares my reality.

“The students (writers) are individuals who must explore the writing process in their own way, some fast, some slow, whatever it takes for them, within the limits of the course deadlines, to find their own way to their own truth.” — Murray

Edit

Save editing for after the creativity. Don’t stifle the flow. Then get out the dictionary, thesaurus, grammar book and clean up the mess. By allowing myself to process writing, I isolate tasks so that editing doesn’t interrupt the ideas and stifle creativity.

“Mechanics come last. It is important to the writer, once he has discovered what he has to say, that nothing get between him and his reader. He must break only those traditions of written communication which would obscure his meaning.” — Murray

Publish

The final stage of the process is when the writer proudly displays the finished product — simple reminder that deadlines are always an important part of the process.

“There must be time for the writing process to take place and time for it to end. The writer must work within the stimulating tension of unpressured time to think and dream and stare out windows, and pressured time the deadline to which the writer must deliver.” — Murray

A paper is never done. It continues to evolve as it takes on a life of its own. In fact, even after a paper is published it can be revised to address a new audience or fulfill a different purpose.

For me this quote shares wisdom. Read the rules, digest the grammar, apply the formulas and then forget it all and write from the heart. When the words communicate, there is success.

“There are no rules, no absolutes, just alternatives. What works one time may not another. All writing is experimental.” — Murray

As you continue on your path as a writer, remember to allow time to process your writing so the words lead you to wisdom and open to new discoveries.

If the idea of the writing process is new, this article provides information.

Understand Writing as a Process