ANDERSON- WRITING STYLE

What kinds of writing do you do on a regular basis? (For example, you may regularly write course papers, lab reports, correspondence, e-mail, grant proposals, journal articles, fiction, poetry, etc.)

In the morning, I make myself coffee and usually do my personal “Dear Diary” journal writings. I have 5 journals. Yes, a little crazy, but I do. One is a “gratitude journal”, maybe a few times a week I jot down a little thing I’m thankful for. I have a “Brain Dump” journal, where I just let my heart and brain out on paper. I have a “Reflection” journal…this is where I take to my individual counseling sessions, or it’s a journal where I write special reflections, or quotes, and significant stuff.

I really dug dip into journaling when I was about 20, and I’m thankful I did.

I also do a ton of emails to our customers (my husband owns a business).

In addition, my favorite thing to do is to write stories about my family life.

1. What is your favorite kind of writing? Why?

HANDS DOWN- Creative writing is my favorite. I don’t enjoy writing academically. It takes my brain so much effort, whereas, when I write just about life it comes naturally.

1. Describe yourself as a writer using five adjectives.

Authentic, fun, real, informative, powerful.

1. What is your biggest challenge as a writer? What kinds of critiques have you received from teachers, colleagues, friends, and other readers?

1. I must be in the writing mood- If I’m not in that mood then nothing will come out on the paper

2. I literally must do my first drafts with a pen or pencil, and I hate that! I’m not sure if it’s because I have personally journaled

for a long time. But, I can start any type of major documented writing without drafting it with a pencil/pen and paper first. It takes up so much more time, then just starting it on a computer!

1. I struggle with writing a critique on other peer’s work or journal articles. Professors in the past have shared this with me. It’s hard for me to critiques other writings, because I feel like I’m judging their work, and I don’t like that feeling.

2. What is your greatest strength as a writer? What do other people normally praise about your writing style?

Some people have felt that my writing was relatable, and that made me feel very happy inside my soul. That really is all I want…for people to relate to my writing and feel a little less alone.

1. If you could change one thing about your writing or your writing process, what would it be?

I would want to “feel” in the writing mood every day.

1. Have you changed as a writer over the last five years? If so, how? Why?

I think my writing has change. I have gone through a little more life and feel more experienced and mature. The graduate program has also opened my eyes up to a different world too.

1. Describe yourself sitting down to write an important piece of writing. Where are you? What are you writing with? (A computer? Pen and paper?) Is there music or other distraction in the background? How do you feel? (Anxious? Excited? Relaxed? Nauseated?) What are you thinking about? (Your audience? Your ideas? Your grade?)

ALWAYS- have piano music playing in the background, with my aromatherapy diffuser on (usually orange or peppermint scent) I have a cup of tea or coffee and I always sit on our cute little farm table. Of course, a pen and paper first, then I will get the computer out. Most of the time my kiddos are upstairs in the loft playing a video game and giving me a time-out to do my “Mommy homework”. I’m anxious if my heart and mind aren’t in the writing realm. I’m eager if my heart and mind are feeling the writing vibe. I’m thinking about writing a piece that my audience understands and enjoys. I never think about a grade, because that would be way too much pressure. I always give myself a time limit and quit when that time is up.