The Process of Writing

This is an attempt to describe the process of writing and the stages involved in it.



Scene or object:

The first stage refers to the external world of sights and sounds. A writer gets fascinated by this reality and is captivated by it. The external object can be a beautiful natural scenario or a flower. The writer in this first stage dons the role of an observer. He observes his fellow human beings and the world around him. Subjectivity plays a great part in this act of observation.

Senses:

The scene or the object of fascination can enter a writer’s mind through the five senses – hearing/smell/taste/touch and vision. These senses make the external reality to become an internal reality. There are varying degrees in which this senses can function. For example if a person is hungry, his olfactory organs will be in a state of high alert. If the same person is spending time in a silent environment then his/her auditory faculty will be sharper.

Impression or Perception:

The dictionary meaning of the word impression is something that stays in the mind, or a mental image of something or somebody. Some of the external realties that get transferred to the mind will leave a lasting impression on our minds. It will be imprinted in the inner recess of our minds. In my opinion this is an unconscious process. These impressions to a certain extent shape our perception about life.

Thoughts:

The impressions lie dormant in the mind. They find their way to the conscious level and become thoughts which to certain extent guide the writer.

Writing:

The thoughts appear in the form of writings either in a piece of paper or in a word processor. The writing can take any shape – it can be short story or a poem or even an essay.

Rewriting: The act of correcting, polishing, and sharpening the first draft.

To summarize the process of writing in a line -
(Scene/Object – Senses – Impression – Thoughts – Writing-Rewriting)