The most important thing I have learned about my writing is how to distance myself from it so that I can improve it. I think this maturity has really made a difference in my ability to accept feedback and to revise my work. Previously, I never considered letting someone else read my work to make it better. If I proofread it myself, I only looked for typos and grammatical improvements. Rarely did I consider revising on a full scale as I have done with every piece we have written for class. The more I rewrite my papers, the better I am at it. I believe that I can continue to improve my work through revision. In case you are thinking that I must have been arrogant to think my work didn't need improvement, please know that I am not so guilty of arrogance as laziness. Rereading to revise is much more time and energy consuming than simple proofreading is.
The second most important thing I have learned about my writing is that it is better when it comes from my heart. While this revelation may not seem earth-shattering, it has helped me define my voice more clearly. I don't waste so much time trying to distance myself from my writing as I did before. Writing from a dispassionate, emotionless voice isn't my style, so why should I bother with it? I have learned to limit my chattiness and hold back on humor when it isn't appropriate, but I don't worry about making my work sound so formal. Trying to sound formal when you aren't can really come across as trying to sound formal when you aren't! An absolute incorrectness of which I shall never again be of a notion to engender. Really.
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I find it hard to allow others to see my work as well. I feel proud of the work I do, and I am afraid that others will dislike my work and make me feel embarassed. I guess I need to get over that if I am going to write a dissertation....my committee will not only read it, but they will offer many revisions I am sure. Revisions do take more time, but it is needed to improve our work.
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