Prompt 1: Discuss
changing a bad writing habit. What is a bad writing habit you have? Should you
change it? Why/Why Not? How do you change it?
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What is a bad writing habit I have? I don’t think I have a bad writing habit. I probably do, but I don’t remember it because
I’ve learned to focus on writing versus focusing on the negative aspects of
things.
Here’s one thing I could improve on…
Looking at the word counter in Word. I need to turn that thing off, but I never
do. It’s both exhilarating and heartbreaking
to look at the word count as I write. it
reminds me that I have a goal to meet, but it also nags me when I can’t reach
the number count as I type. Sometimes,
the words in my head don’t add up to the number I need, so that number in the
lower left-hand corner harasses me until I write more words, meeting the word count,
often to the injury of my flow. I add
words that aren’t necessary and don’t add much to the writing. They’re just filler and fluff. Filler and fluff can ruin quality writing.
Now mind you, I give my students word count limits for a
number of assignments, but I think having a word count limit causes writers to
be creative with their word choice, causing them to think about the words they
chose. But, I do allow my students to go
over the word count. My general rule is…
Don’t go over double the word or page count limit. I understand that as you write, inspiration
hits and the words flow.
I try to focus on the quality of writing while reaching the
word count, I just hate it when the word counter bullies me into having filler &
fluff.
