The Writing (Composition / Creative) Process

Summary

This video discusses the creative and composition process, emphasizing how it extends beyond traditional writing. The speaker explains a recursive cycle of invention, drafting, and evaluation, where ideas are brainstormed, refined, and critiqued. Drafting involves multiple stages—early, middle, and late—with back-and-forth movement between invention and evaluation. The process is personalized for each creator, whether they're writing essays, developing apps, or creating other projects. Ultimately, submitting work is part of the journey, with feedback and revisions as normal steps toward improvement and success.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The creative process encompasses more than just writing; it involves making various things, from websites to blueprints and even dances.
• 🔄 The process is recursive, meaning it can go in multiple directions and isn’t linear.
• 💡 Invention is the first stage, where brainstorming, prewriting, and idea generation take place.
• ✍️ Drafting has three stages: early, middle, and late. Early drafting often looks unstructured, while middle and late drafts shape into the final product.
• 📝 Evaluation is crucial for determining if the work is good through feedback and revision, which is different from editing.
• 🔁 The creative process often requires going back and forth between invention, drafting, and evaluation.
• ⏳ Individuals might work differently in the creative process—some prefer planning more, while others draft quickly and revise as they go.
• ❌ Rejection is a common part of the process, and it often sends creators back to revise or reinvent their work.
• 📈 The process can be personalized, with some focusing more on invention and others on drafting or evaluating.
• ✅ Completion occurs when the work is accepted, whether by a teacher, boss, or publication.

Q & A

What is the difference between the 'writing process' and the 'composition process' as mentioned in the script?

The 'composition process' or 'creative process' is broader than the 'writing process.' It includes creating various things beyond alphabetic text, such as websites, apps, blueprints, and even dances. It focuses on making and developing creative products, not just written work.

Why is the creative process compared to a circle in the script?

The creative process is compared to a circle because it is recursive, meaning it can move in both directions. This implies that creators often move back and forth between different stages of the process, revisiting steps as necessary.

What is the first step in the creative process, and what activities are associated with it?

The first step is 'invention,' where all the thinking happens. Activities associated with invention include brainstorming, prewriting, chatting with others, or engaging in activities like exercising or driving to help ideas gel together.

What are the three stages of drafting mentioned in the script?

The three stages of drafting are early drafting, middle drafting, and late-stage drafting. Early drafting involves rough ideas or notes, middle drafting begins to take shape (e.g., a blog or essay), and late-stage drafting is the best version of the work that the creator can do independently.

How is the evaluation stage different from editing?

Evaluation focuses on assessing whether the created work is any good by seeking feedback and revising the work, while editing is a later stage focused on refining the technical aspects of the work. A full lesson on editing is mentioned to be separate from this discussion.

How does the script describe the movement between invention and drafting during the creative process?

The script describes how some people, like the speaker, frequently move back and forth between invention and drafting, especially in the early stages. For example, they come up with an idea and immediately start working on it, constantly revising as they go along.

What should creators do when they receive a 'no' after submitting their work?

When creators receive a 'no' after submitting their work, it sends them back into the creative process. Depending on the feedback, they may need to return to invention, drafting, or seek more feedback from beta testers or revision groups.

What does the script say about personalized creative processes?

The script emphasizes that while there is a general creative process, each person's process is unique. Some may spend more time in invention, planning heavily before drafting, while others, like the speaker, may alternate frequently between invention, drafting, and evaluation.

What does the speaker mention about the 'end' of the creative process?

The speaker notes that the creative process may end when the creator submits the work and it gets accepted by a teacher, boss, contest, or publication. However, if the work is not accepted, the creator often has to revise and return to the process.

Why does the speaker compare the evaluation stage to asking 'am I done?'

In the evaluation stage, creators ask 'am I done?' to determine whether their work is complete and ready for submission. This decision may come from self-assessment or external feedback, and if the answer is 'no,' it prompts further revision and improvement.