My Own Writing Process

When I start writing a paper, I usually like to start by "brainstorming" or writing down any ideas that come to my head and making a brief outline. I generally like to do this part on paper with a pen or pencil. At this step I'm really just letting my mind go and not thinking twice about what I'm writing. I can always correct mistakes or take stuff out later. 

I usually write at my desk in the dorm room, if it is quiet. If its to distracting then I go to the library and sit in the study cubicles. For me to be fully focused I need silence, especially when I'm just getting started. I think if it is noisy, you are more likely to make a mistake. 

When I begin drafting I use my brainstorm and outline to guide me. I pretty much write whatever comes to mind as I follow my outline. I don't really worry about following the outline exactly because its more of a guide and I often add things as they come to me anyways. Since I write down whatever comes to mind, revision plays a major role in my writing process. I often revise it 5 or 6 times before I even begin to solely focus on grammatical errors. 

In the past my workshop and peer review experiences have been pretty lame. We often just looked for grammatical errors and gave what we learned as "golden praise". My ideal writing circumstances would include intense workshopping. I think it would really help me grow as a writer and be a lot more productive then they were in high school