Exploring Your Position in the Writer's Development Spectrum?
Article Title: The Parallel Between Writing and Physical Growth: A Journey of Skill Acquisition and Cognitive Development
In the realm of personal and professional development, the concept of growth is a common theme that resonates across various disciplines. One such area is writing, where authors often experience a growth curve that mirrors the pattern seen in physical growth.
According to a contributing author, who has been part of a critique group for three years and is currently working with writers at various stages of their writing journey, the writing growth curve is characterised by an initial significant increase followed by leveling out. This pattern is reminiscent of the hypothetical physical growth curve, where a newborn experiences rapid growth during infancy before reaching a plateau in adolescence.
The author, who has a humour blog and writes about teaching and writing specifically, recalls making several novice writing mistakes when starting in the critique group, such as filtering, not anchoring the character in the setting, using echoes, being redundant, and overusing dialogue tags. However, through practice, feedback, and revision, the author learned to show emotion and avoid adverbs by using strong verbs, a lesson that has proven invaluable in refining their writing.
Interestingly, the author does not believe that the critique group is for ego-stroking. Instead, it serves as a platform for constructive criticism, helping writers identify areas for improvement and fostering continuous learning. The author is not interested in working with perfect writers but rather those who are open to growth and willing to refine their craft.
The boy mentioned in the article is also growing along a growth curve, with his doctor predicting that he will reach a height of approximately 6'1''. His current height already surpasses that of his grandmother, and his mother, who is shorter than him, eagerly awaits his continued growth.
The author emphasises that there is always something new to learn in writing, regardless of one's progress. Even writers who refuse to improve can benefit from feedback and guidance, as the writing growth curve can potentially continue indefinitely, unlike physical growth.
For readers interested in more of the author's work, their website is mentioned below. Here, you can find a wealth of insights, humour, and practical advice on teaching, writing, and personal development.
[1] Growth curve. (n.d.). In Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/growth-curve [3] Physical growth. (n.d.). In Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/physical-growth
Engaging in education and self-development, particularly focusing on personal growth, can parallel the journey of writing and physical growth. This synergy is evident as both domains follow a growth curve, characterized by an initial rapid phase, followed by leveling out, much like a newborn's physical growth compared to the writing growth curve.
