Published Authors

A place for budding and experienced authors to share ideas about publishing and marketing books
 
HomeHome  GalleryGallery  Latest imagesLatest images  RegisterRegister  Log in  Featured MembersFeatured Members  ArticlesArticles  

 

 Are you a basher or a swooper?

Go down 
+12
Brenda Hill
Don Stephens
Abe F. March
alice
lin
Tory Lynn
Dick Stodghill
alj
A Ahad
zadaconnaway
Carol Troestler
Shelagh
16 posters
Go to page : 1, 2  Next
AuthorMessage
Shelagh
Admin
Admin
Shelagh


Number of posts : 12662
Registration date : 2008-01-11
Location : UK

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 2:17 am

We are all different when it comes to writing. Some of us write whole chapters without doing a single edit while others can't complete a sentence without making changes. How do you write; are you a basher (bash out the words and edit as you go) or a swooper (swoop along following the flow and edit later)?

http://secondlanguage.blogspot.com/2008/12/swoopers-and-bashers.html
Back to top Go down
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk
Carol Troestler
Five Star Member
Five Star Member
Carol Troestler


Number of posts : 3827
Registration date : 2008-06-07
Age : 86
Location : Wisconsin

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 3:25 am

I swoop. If I bash then my writing becomes stilted.

The swooping is much more fun, and sometimes as I write that way interesting characters and/or connections occur.

Carol
Back to top Go down
http://www.authorsden.com/ctroestler
zadaconnaway
Five Star Member
Five Star Member
zadaconnaway


Number of posts : 4017
Registration date : 2008-01-16
Age : 76
Location : Washington, USA

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 3:26 am

Is there such a thing as a swoosher?
Back to top Go down
http://www.zadaconnaway.com
A Ahad
Five Star Member
Five Star Member



Number of posts : 1102
Registration date : 2008-03-25
Age : 55

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 3:30 am

Shelagh,
Mostly a swooper when I write things down as they come into my head, but equally I do stop to correct words and spellings as I go along.

In the first sweep, I write bits of the story in a jumble of mess, then come back to reorder things later when I do the thorough bashing.
Back to top Go down
Carol Troestler
Five Star Member
Five Star Member
Carol Troestler


Number of posts : 3827
Registration date : 2008-06-07
Age : 86
Location : Wisconsin

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 3:36 am

I took a course where the class listened to relaxation "tapes." (it was that long ago that it was a tape.) The instructor had given us a topic before we listened to the tape, and then immediately at the end of the tape, we were to write, to swoop with no worries about punctuation or grammar. That is where my fairy tale came from, one that is on inspirational websites and has gotten good reviews.

I tried the same technique when I would do training programs with teachers. I gave it up. It was very difficult for them to do this, and I'm not putting down teachers. They just wanted things correct from the beginning.

Carol
Back to top Go down
http://www.authorsden.com/ctroestler
alj
Five Star Member
Five Star Member
alj


Number of posts : 9633
Registration date : 2008-12-05
Age : 80
Location : San Antonio

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 6:06 am

Carol wrote:

Quote :
I tried the same technique when I would do training programs with teachers. I gave it up. It was very difficult for them to do this, and I'm not putting down teachers. They just wanted things correct from the beginning.

I noticed that during workshops I attended, where many of the olders teachers, especially, had trouble learning to take writing as a process. They were mostly "bashers," and the newer studies on teaching writing often focus on teaching students to "swoop." After a couple of years, though, many teachers got so caught up in encouraging their students to create, they forgot to show them how to polish things up afterwards. And there is a tendency, in traditional classrooms, to put everybody into one group. It seems to me that a teacher's job ought to involve recognizing both types, then helping bashers to occasionally swoop, and swoopers to bash once in a while. I took workshops in both types of teaching programs. The New Jersey Writing Project, or NJWP, was an excellent way of teaching swooping, but I'm glad I learned to balance it with the Jane Schaffer [sic?] Method, which focuses on structure. When I was preparing my AP students to take that very difficult Advanced Placement exam, I had to wean them off of NJWP and into TJSM.

Gotta love those educational acronyms. Rolling Eyes
Back to top Go down
http://www.annjoiner.com
Dick Stodghill
Five Star Member
Five Star Member
Dick Stodghill


Number of posts : 3795
Registration date : 2008-05-04
Age : 98
Location : Akron, Ohio

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 6:41 am

I am definitely a basher. As with so many things I do, I'm sure it is because of my newspaper days. If I see a mistake, don't like a word choice or feel something is awkward, I change it immediately.


Last edited by Dick Stodghill on Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:44 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top Go down
http://www.dickstodghill.com
Tory Lynn
Three Star Member
Three Star Member
Tory Lynn


Number of posts : 149
Registration date : 2008-01-11
Age : 60
Location : Auburn Washington

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 7:04 am

When I write something initially, I'm definitely a swoosher. I have a lot of fun just writing what is on my mind in the beginning. I usually write it long hand at first, never with complete sentences as my thoughts just go to fast.

Vickie
Back to top Go down
http://www.torylynn.webs.com/torylynn
lin
Five Star Member
Five Star Member
lin


Number of posts : 2753
Registration date : 2008-03-20
Location : Mexico

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 7:07 am

Is there such a thing as a swoosher?

I think there was one cruising me in the sauna the other day.
Back to top Go down
http://linrobinson.com
alice
Five Star Member
Five Star Member
alice


Number of posts : 15672
Registration date : 2008-10-22
Age : 76
Location : Redmond, WA

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 7:38 am

I obviously swoosh and do not take sufficient time to bash.
I have a most ridiculous phenomenon--I can immediately spot an error in someone elses's writing, It takes a good bit longer to see my own mistakes.
Back to top Go down
http://www.freewebs.com/acrooker/
Abe F. March
Five Star Member
Five Star Member
Abe F. March


Number of posts : 10768
Registration date : 2008-01-26
Age : 85
Location : Germany

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 7:56 am

I think I'm both.
I write until finished with my thoughts. The next time I attack my work, I re-read what I wrote and edit. That is an on-going process.
Back to top Go down
Don Stephens
Five Star Member
Five Star Member
Don Stephens


Number of posts : 1355
Registration date : 2008-01-25
Age : 85
Location : Wherever my hat's hanging today!

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 8:09 am

I think I’m a bit like Abe. I write out a complete thought, then re-read and refine. When I stop for the day or set work aside for awhile, when I restart I reread up to the point where I quit before starting again, so I’m constantly editing and rewriting. Probably has a lot to do with why it takes me a year to write a hundred thousand word novel.
Back to top Go down
Shelagh
Admin
Admin
Shelagh


Number of posts : 12662
Registration date : 2008-01-11
Location : UK

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 10:00 am

Alice wrote:
... I can immediately spot an error in someone elses's writing, It takes a good bit longer to see my own mistakes.
You can always rely on someone else to stop your miss takes.
Back to top Go down
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk
alice
Five Star Member
Five Star Member
alice


Number of posts : 15672
Registration date : 2008-10-22
Age : 76
Location : Redmond, WA

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 10:33 am

Shelagh

When you are right you are so right!
Back to top Go down
http://www.freewebs.com/acrooker/
Brenda Hill
Five Star Member
Five Star Member
Brenda Hill


Number of posts : 1297
Registration date : 2008-02-16
Location : Southern CA

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 1:16 pm

I edit as I go. I cannot concentrate on the next scene if something from the previous one is nagging me. It may take me a while to complete a novel, and I wish I could say that because of all the editing as I go, it's perfect. But that's not the case. There's always something from this chapter or that one that I know I could smooth, straighten, or just simply write in a better way.

So, I go back and start the edits again, and I'll keep at it until I can read the entire thing and feel that certain satisfaction that it's the best I can make it.
Back to top Go down
http://www.brendahill.com
RunsWithScissors
Four Star Member
Four Star Member



Number of posts : 823
Registration date : 2008-12-31

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 2:07 pm

I'm definitely a swoosher. I type in scenes. Usually anywhere from 7-10 pages at a time. I just type, type, type, then go back and read through it, adjust it, edit it, add something, take something away, tweak it a bit here or there.

Then, when I get ready to add the next section, I re-read what I wrote the time before (usually changing it a bit again!) and then continue on with the next section.

When I've actually finished the entire book (do we ever really finish a book?), I go back through the entire thing several times and have two other people read the entire thing, noting what thoughts hit them along the way and pointing out inconsistencies or typos.

Gosh, I make it sound like work. It's not. It's my favorite way to spend time. Well... one of my favorites. =)
Back to top Go down
Phil Whitley
Four Star Member
Four Star Member
Phil Whitley


Number of posts : 907
Registration date : 2008-04-01
Age : 81
Location : Riverdale, GA

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 2:11 pm

I fall into the Basher category. I edit as I go, writing and re-writing
sentences while my original thought is still fresh. Plus, if I don't
correct obvious errors as I go I may never find it again!

I do my swooping in a spiral notebook beside my bed - for those late-night inspirations.
Back to top Go down
http://www.philwhitley.com
Rhymer
Four Star Member
Four Star Member
Rhymer


Number of posts : 278
Registration date : 2008-12-24
Age : 33
Location : usa

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 2:16 pm

I was a swooper with my first book, a basher wanna be with my second and now I find I have turned full fledge basher with my third.
Back to top Go down
http://www.freewebs.com/abcedit
Brenda Hill
Five Star Member
Five Star Member
Brenda Hill


Number of posts : 1297
Registration date : 2008-02-16
Location : Southern CA

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 2:16 pm

It's fascinating how different we all are, but that's the way it should be. Someone can say I need onions for a dish I want to make, but we'll have different methods of chopping, slicing, dicing, frying, or sautéing them.
Back to top Go down
http://www.brendahill.com
RunsWithScissors
Four Star Member
Four Star Member



Number of posts : 823
Registration date : 2008-12-31

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 3:03 pm

Throw some garlic in with those onions and we've got a party!
Back to top Go down
Dick Stodghill
Five Star Member
Five Star Member
Dick Stodghill


Number of posts : 3795
Registration date : 2008-05-04
Age : 98
Location : Akron, Ohio

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 3:05 pm

This may spoil Brenda's day, fascinating as she may be, but I am in total agreement with her first post. It's also the way I do things. Knowing that, she may change to being a swooper.
Back to top Go down
http://www.dickstodghill.com
Brenda Hill
Five Star Member
Five Star Member
Brenda Hill


Number of posts : 1297
Registration date : 2008-02-16
Location : Southern CA

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 3:10 pm

Good heavens, Dick. We have something in common? Even the saints are shaking their heads over that one.
Back to top Go down
http://www.brendahill.com
madhatter
Four Star Member
Four Star Member
madhatter


Number of posts : 502
Registration date : 2008-02-13
Location : Tallahassee, FL

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyThu Feb 26, 2009 5:40 pm

I was a basher. Then I took part in NaNo--the National Novel Writing Competition--where the author attempts to write 50K words in one month. I learned to swoosh. I get more accomplished when I swoosh. Plus, I have to be in a certain frame of mind to bash. Bashing is the true work of writing.

I'd much rather be swooshing. Hey, can we make that into a bumper sticker?
Back to top Go down
http://www.rhettdevane.com
Abe F. March
Five Star Member
Five Star Member
Abe F. March


Number of posts : 10768
Registration date : 2008-01-26
Age : 85
Location : Germany

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyFri Feb 27, 2009 2:01 am

Bumper Sticker:
"Bashing or Swooshing can make you Mad-hatter."

"To Bash or not to Bash. That is the question. Can Swooshing be done about it?"
Back to top Go down
alj
Five Star Member
Five Star Member
alj


Number of posts : 9633
Registration date : 2008-12-05
Age : 80
Location : San Antonio

Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? EmptyFri Feb 27, 2009 4:53 am

OK, this thread has become an example of how false information gets quickly accepted. The original word was "swooper," not "swoosher."

Ann
Back to top Go down
http://www.annjoiner.com
Sponsored content





Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Are you a basher or a swooper?   Are you a basher or a swooper? Empty

Back to top Go down
 
Are you a basher or a swooper?
Back to top 
Page 1 of 2Go to page : 1, 2  Next

Permissions in this forum:You cannot reply to topics in this forum
Published Authors :: General :: Chatter Box-
Jump to: