What is Process?
Key Outcomes
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to
- Describe writing as a process.
- Understand the stages of the writing process.
- Integrate process-based writing strategies into personal writing.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, process also refers to ongoing or continuous action. Think of process as an ongoing activity aimed at getting you from point A to point Z, but not necessarily in a straight line. There’s usually a goal in mind, it takes time and effort to get there, and sometimes you take a detour or the long way.
Writing coach Natalie Goldberg reminds us that neither writing nor learning to write are linear processes: “There is no logical A-to-B-to-C way” (3). Goldberg draws here on the process theory of composition, which adheres to the notion that writing is recursive. That is, I might go from A to Z in sequence, but jump back to step B, or skip ahead to step X as I write, think, revise, and write some more. And that’s okay. The goal is to get words on the page (or screen) and arrive at destination Z even if, at times, it seems like you’re getting nowhere and have so far to go. Goldberg also says to “trust in our own voice and process. Ultimately, if the process is good, the end will be good” (12). By “good,” she doesn’t mean perfect. She means giving yourself a chance to explore and think about some different directions. Allow yourself to make imperfect progress at times.
Process, in other words, is conducive to learning and figuring out what’s most effective and works the best. As long as you focus on moving forward, the end will be a perfect fit for your purpose and audience. Try the steps outlined in this chapter, and know that it’s normal for your process to feel a little messy and disordered along the way (inquiry and exploration are key to finding the best way to write).
In this whiteboard animation, designer Jonathan Beer explains writing as a skill and illustrates that, like any skill, learning it is a process.
