Journal
...main topics from the clustering strategy and may have several subtopics. Items that are in the subtopic categories are then shown as pages of content. I would then brainstorm ideas for each page in a list or short sentence format. I try to remain as brief as possible and worry very little about grammar and spelling, as my eyes are usually the only ones to ever see this document. After I finish with this list, I step back and take a break from the subject. After an appropriate amount of time, I would then review what I had written and interject any additions, items that I may have missed, and changes that are necessary. When I write for personal pleasure, I do it quite differently. I usually start by listing out a number of characters who will be in the story. I will jot down some brief Barrett 2 history on each character, such as what they look like, what their likes and dislikes are, as well as how they relate to the other characters in the story. I build the storyline by taking a funny experience from my childhood, from someone else’s childhood, or make up one. I then build the characters into that storyline. I write short, quick notes, usually not stopping to think about what I am writing. I find that I am more creative when I don’t take time to think and just let the words flow from my pencil to the paper (as they are doing right now.) I usually get my best laughs after I have finished brainstorming and I am reviewing what I have written. I use a lot of dramatizing and quick drafting when I write for personal enjoyment. If I were to add more writing strategies from Chapter 11 into my day-to-day writing for work, I would probably add more cubing and questioning techniques...