HENRY TAN
EN102 Professor Lorena Fuentes
WEEK 6
The Unconscious Writing
In the reading “Freewriting” by Peter Elbow, he introduces his own effective way to
improve writing. Elbow names it freewriting where the writers will write whatever words and
sentences are in their mind and never stop no matter what. Elbow believes that this type of
practice will remove the bad habit of over editing which will ruin the writing output. Although
Elbow himself states that this practice seems crazy but it will improve people’s unconscious
writing. By saying unconscious writing, it means as a states where people can write without
thinking too much. It is the same as the condition where people speak to each other. They don’t
think too long. Elbow convinces his readers to apply that idea to their writing habit.
As writers, people have their own habits on writing. These habits are created when they
write without their awareness. They will lead and create people’s style of writing. For example,
there are some people who tend to over think about their works. In fact, over thinking will create
more problems. I feel the same with this idea. When I write, I always think a lot and it sometimes
bring me to a dead end. Elbow believes that Freewriting will improve people’s unconsciousness
on writing. Daily practice will refine the writing skill and remove the bad habit on writing
because the writers will not think too much when they write. Writers don’t have to worry about
feedback because there is no feedback. Therefore, freewriting is a great way to improve writing
as it also refines our unconscious writing skill.
Writing is separated into several steps. Dealing with these steps is very crucial in writing.
If the writer ruins a section, it will affect the whole writing. In the reading “Freewriting” by Peter
Elbow, he provides “Writing has the advantage of permitting more editing. But that’s its
downfall too.”(Elbow 13) Editing may be one of the most favorite parts of writing for some
people because altering some writings will make it looks better. However over editing will just
make the writing worse. In some case, people will over think about their work, worrying about
how their words or ideas will work well with the reader. With freewriting, the writer will be
trained to overcome their anxiousness towards their work. For example, the practice of
freewriting requires neither preparation nor feedback from other people. This will help the writer
not to worry about their work and somehow they will apply this idea when they write their paper
too. However from this concept, does it mean that editing is not necessary?
The idea of freewriting does not mean that editing is not essential. Elbow also mentions
that people need to edit in order to achieve the desired result. He states “Editing is usually
necessary if we want to end up with something satisfactory.”(Elbow 14) That is the main reason
of editing. People who over edit their work won’t attain their adequate outcome. Their uncertain
thoughts towards their work will ruin their work. The work that is used to be good turns out to be
bad. For example, there is writing with a topic of nature followed by a specific thesis. When the
writer over edits the writing. It will change the purpose of the analysis which is supporting the
thesis. Again, Elbow wants the reader to just forget their worry towards their work. Being
anxious will influence the voice inside the writer. This voice is the only guidance for writer.
Elbow mentions “I don’t know how it works, but this voice is the force that will make a reader
listen to you, the energy that drives the meanings through his thick skull.” (Elbow 15) When we
write a paper, unwittingly there is a voice in ourselves. Sometimes this voice can show up and
give the writer some inspirations to write but it’s also temporary. For example, in some case
when people write something, they have an idea to add to paper. The fresh idea will not last long
for some people. It’s like a dream. Some people will be able to remember it, and the rest of them
will forget it. This is how freewriting will give the writer a hand. By practicing it, they can
strengthen their mind in the term of idea. When people stop writing, they are demanded to find
something to write about. Freewriting will give them the ability to expand the idea that their
voice gives to a whole new level. With a lot of practice, free writers will gain a lot of ideas when
it comes to writing. So what is the point of practicing freewriting? Elbow notes “Free writing are
vacuums. Gradually you will begin to carry over into your regular writing some of the voice,
force, and connectedness that creep into those vacuums.” (Elbow 15) This is the central
reasoning of freewriting. Freewriting is a vacuum. It will siphon all of your practices into
yourself while the result will be applied to your formal task. For instances, if someone work as
an amateur painter. Eventually he will become good painter if he practices a lot. It’s the same as
writing. No one can start as a good writer. People need process in order to achieve their goal.
However, the goal of freewriting is not just vacuuming people’s practices. It’s to simply
construct a habit. A routine where people are accustomed to writing unconsciously. In brief,
freewriting will be a good way to boost writing proficiency but it all depends on the person. It
will highly lean on the writer’s dedication to practice more. If the writer is passionate enough to
create the habit of freewriting, it’s more likely for him to write effectively.