1) Dillard's process—at least as she describes it on pages 49-52—involves trying to work herself up into a fury, drinking multiple cups of coffee, putting herself in a vise clamp (metaphorically), and smoking multiple cigarettes. In short, she engages in the physical manipulation of the self in order to attain a “writerly” state of mind, to find the “lions” so to speak. Do you engage in any physical rituals as you prepare to write? How much does your physical position affect your ability to write? Do you have any pre-writing rituals? If so, what do they accomplish?
Writing for me is a long process. I usually have to sit down, open up Microsoft Word, write a paragraph, and read it over and over again. An hour later I find myself reading that same paragraph, however, it has significantly changed, and now I can start with the next paragraph. I wouldn’t say I do any physical rituals other than stress myself out, because I feel like I’ve wasted so much time. I guess if I really loved to write I might try and manipulate myself more so the end product would be that much better.
2) In the opening chapter, Dillard describes writing (or perhaps more accurately rewriting), as a process of knocking out bearing walls. When you write or rewrite, how often do you knock down those bearing walls? If we can think of bearing walls as the necessary structures that support, yet also put limitations upon, writing, who creates these foundations/limitations? That is to say, are the bearing walls to which Dillard refers generated by the writer, or by social constructions?
After I finish writing a paper, every time I re-read it, I have to re-write it in some way. I think this is essential in writing a paper because as you read and re-write you tend to express and refine the ideas and purpose of the paper. I think the bearing walls are generated by the writer, because after a significant number of re-writes, you begin giving form to the ideas you originally intended writing. I guess the social constructions could stem from so many rules about writing structure and form that have been drilled in our minds throughout school.
3) Dillard uses myriad metaphors to describe the process of writing—Inchworms, bees, construction sites, exploding typewriters, etc. Do you find any of her metaphors particularly salient for—or applicable to—your own perception of writing? Do you have (or can you come up with) any metaphors or images that seem to describe your own writing process? Do you consider metaphors useful in this sense?
Like a child who doesn’t want to do his chores. I enjoy writing and expressing my ideas. However, life is really hectic right now and for me to do something right, like writing, I have to set aside a lot of time so the final product comes out well. I feel like a child who always wants to play outside, and becomes frustrated because he knows that doing his chores will rob him of this time.
4) Part of the reason Dillard uses so many metaphors (I think) is that she seems to take a “mystical” view of writing. Do you share her sense of mysticism when it comes to writing? If you do, it might be a line of narrative worth continuing. If you don't, then how do you view writing in more concrete terms?
Obviously there are different types of writing that don’t require a mystical process. However, I think that a personal narrative is a type of writing that most definitely requires a special mindset in order to capture ones ideas on paper. In relaying the “personal” message, the reader must feel and understand your emotions. In order to relay the feelings and emotions, one must leave their body at that point in time and relive the moment they are trying to express.
5) It is possible (and I am truly not sure) that Dillard's thick prose, mystical descriptions, and constant use of metaphors are meant more to entertain and intrigue us than to say anything concrete about writing? It may be a mixture of both. Dillard is considered a very talented writer, as this book and other books show. But she seems determined to maintain a certain vagueness when writing about writing. Why?
Writing really is an art. With that being said, there’s no one-size fits all formula that produces good writing. I think Dillard is vague about writing because she understands that the art of expression can only being influenced and not forced. I think she gives us tactics and tools to deepen our understanding of the writing process, but at the same time understands that it can only go so far.
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