I hate writing. Help?

uyulove · 11-03-2009, 10:26 PM

I used to be ok with writing but soon as I entered college my mind started to function oddly.

I type things and stop mid sentence because I can't remember what I was trying to type.
I forget words although they are always on the tip of tongue. I just write it out in colloquial english instead of using fancy words because I can't remember the words often times. I also break my sentences into smaller sentences rather than making large complex sentences because it ends up sounding like a run-on.

I don't know, it seems like my writing won't get any better at this point but I'm forced to take a writing class where I'm doing horribly at. They make me take it because they figure it'll make me a better writer but you can't get good grades UNLESS you are already a good writer! WT? I did everything I could, I went to talk to the professor, made people read it, rewrote it, edit it, etc. URGH! I got a lower grade on the one I did more work on. I guess one thing is I should write out a better outline for my papers (which I'm doing for my next paper)

I actually like writing stories (I do pretty well in my story writing class) and languages (I speak 2 languages fluently and is learning Japanese which I really enjoy) it's just I can't comprehend the english language rules for some odd reason. (It is probably the language I speak the best though! I think I understand Korean writing rules alot more although I've been speaking english since however long ago)

Do you guys have any tips? Will just reading more and writing more help? I don't know, I'm so tired of my writing class and when I asked my professor what I should do, his reply was "I don't know."

URRR..... he also said "Well being a competent writer is completely fine, etc etc rather than being a great writer." WHAT THE I'm competent already, I want to get better if I'm paying tuition/putting in effort for this crappy class! URGH.

dramakitty92428 · 11-03-2009, 10:30 PM

That happened to me at first with math--college is a lot harder than HS, so maybe you were prepared for the HS level but not college? I just had to work hard and push through it and then I was ok with it after a few weeks, when I got used to the level of work/skill the prof. demanded....I know that's really cliche but idk what else to say lol, sorry

dramakitty92428 · 11-03-2009, 10:31 PM

Oh, and what is your major? If you're majoring in something like science/math/engineering/etc, then not being able to write that great won't matter.

raefless · 11-03-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Do you guys have any tips?

Post a sample paper so we can offer constructive criticism.

Quote:

Will just reading more and writing more help?

You would need to read and write a lot before you notice any improvement. I bet you have better things to do with your time, like studying for your classes. People don't really become better readers/writers after they reach a certain age.

uyulove · 11-03-2009, 10:33 PM

I'm actually animation/east asian languages and cultures/drawing double major/minor. hahaha. I'm ok with other class papers, it's just I don't do very well in writing class where they focus on your writing technique.

See my mind is very structured and writing seems to be all over the place for me. Art is also like that but I just let it kinda take me wherever it wants to go so...

I'm already a college senior btw. haha. I think also lack of sleep/caffein did a number on my brain which is making me into a worse writer (as I can't focus much anymore)

... I'm too embarrassed to post my papers... it's just... ok. Not very good.

raefless · 11-03-2009, 10:39 PM

If you are doing well in all your other classes that require writing, don't worry too much about your writing class. Almost no one expects you to write literature. As long as you can communicate your ideas coherently that's often enough.

uyulove · 11-03-2009, 11:00 PM

^yeah that's sorta how I went through all my other college courses, but this writing class just urks me... I really want to do a bit better than I did before rather than torturing through it... :/ I think it's something one either works on/or is sorta born with but I wanted to improve it somehow...

Jimgotkp · 11-03-2009, 11:00 PM

Don't worry man. Everyone can't write well. My papers would probably be the worst on CC.

Write · 11-03-2009, 11:45 PM

I am a parent and a fiction writer. Reading definitely will help you to write better, and the more you write the better your writing becomes. Also, writing is revision so give yourself permission to write that first draft badly. I revised my 1st novel about thirty times before it sold and still had to do some rewriting before it was published. Most of my writer friends do lots of revising along the way. Good luck!

whheex · 11-03-2009, 11:59 PM

OMG. that happened to me senior year of high school. it wasn't a senioritis thing either. i jsut had this HUGE block. i hated it so much. i didn't really get over it until summer came. i guess one thing that sorta helped me out was having a blog where i would write randomness.. of random junk or anything. and it helped the words flow more nicely out of my head.

i hate being stuck though. eugh.

uyulove · 11-04-2009, 03:42 AM

I used to read ALOT but now I barely read. I think me not being able to write started with not reading as much anymore. I don't know why, but I also can't spell very well anymore! I used to be a spelling nazi! It's so odd.

I have a blog for class but I still get mental blocks... sigh... I really want to become a little bit of a better writer... sigh.

PlattsburghLoser · 11-04-2009, 06:54 AM

It sounds like you may need to get a hold of a thesaurus to help with those wordfarts. I do agree that reading more helps with writing.

bubblesocks · 11-05-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

I don't know why, but I also can't spell very well anymore! I used to be a spelling nazi! It's so odd.

I have the same problem, but for me I think it's because everything (Firefox, Pidgin, Word) has a built-in spellchecker now that I never bother to disable. I've gotten so used to having my computer point out my mistakes that I no longer think about what I'm writing. Then when I have to write something without that crutch, I constantly second guess myself.

1 Sky Pilot · 11-05-2009, 10:41 PM

My biggest problems with writing are 1) focusing and 2) writer's block. It takes me a good hour to write something that my roommate could probably whip out in ten-fifteen minutes. (sigh)

fauve · 11-05-2009, 11:32 PM

To the OP- You said you've been lacking sleep and depending on caffeine. That is the problem! Your brain needs sleep. Caffeine can keep you awake, but not make the neurons and synapses fire effectively in the brain.

Try to make yourself sleep more, eat enough protein, veggies and fruit & take your vitamins. Omega 3 fatty acids, in salmon (or capsules), have been shown to improve cognitive functions.