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Tired> Energy > Academic writing
I had this train of thought:
I am too tired to write academic writing.
What does this imply?
Academic writing requires energy.
Yes, but creative writing also requires energy.
This got me thinking about the differences between the two kinds of writing. Although academic writing requires effort, creative energy seems to be a two-way street; you get a certain feeling of satisfaction, even a feeling of being energized, when you are writing creatively. Academic writing, on the other hand, seems a slog from the word go all the way to the last completed draft.
What could this imply, dig a little deeper?
People with little energy will struggle with academic writing. People with jobs, kids, bad diets, stressful situations, could find academic writing torturous.
And?
Could it be that academic writing favours the well-to-do middleclass? Single-mothers and fathers working two high stress low paying jobs must surely struggle with this part of education, and yet they are the ones most desperate to improve their situation.
Could there be a way around this? Can creativity find a way into academic writing without jeopardizing the authenticity of the research presented while at the same time engaging both the writer and the reader?
I think situating the writer inside the academic writing may be a way to solve this problem, but it would have to be done carefully. And it is probably risky. I am not sure, but I would venture a guess that amongst the 'academic writing establishment' different traditions exist - even different fads. When you take a risk with your writing, you are risking that your tiny audience will see foolishness instead of courage. One of writing's main rules are: Know thy audience!
That is probably why so many play it safe. For who can truly know the mind of a professor?
To be continued...
Eben
Comments
Interesting, but because I think of it the other way around. Creative writing, to me, takes way more effort than academic writing. Anytime I need to do "creative" writing, I feel instantly drained. I put it in quotes because for the most part, I believe writing is writing, but I know what you mean. Either way, I enjoy academic writing immensely and it always leaves me feeling energized with a sense of accomplishment. Possibly because the process to me is a creative one. But essentially, I feel the exact opposite of what you are saying. I am by no means arguing with your view, because it is most likely just the differences in the way of brains are wired. I love to use academic writing for my version of creative; linking and creating new ideas and in turn, creating a paper that has never been written before.
Hi Larissa
Right after posting this post I thought of my professor, and how he loves editing over creative writing. I realized that my argument is really just a personal preference, or wiring as you put it. Which is great! Must be wonderful to 'feel energized' after writing academic writing!
Well... I do feel that AFTER writing as well. And my essays get good marks, regardless of how scary they are to me before I begin. There have been a few essays that I really enjoyed. However, the process of academic writing is no where near as invigorating to me as the completion of it (which has more to do with pride - sense of accomplishment for having done something really challenging).
Creative writing is for me a reward in its own right. I am being rewarded by just being allowed to let me imagination take flight. Lock me up and throw away the key. As long as I have paper and pen/laptop/guitar/paint and canvas I will not even notice!
Eben