Writing is an art. It is an action and ability that a person has to express his/herself in which ever why they can think of. Finding one's "voice" or inspiration can be hard whether in writing, art or any other every day activity. Donald Murray describes in the first couple chapters how to create and develop one's voice through their writing. Being an art major, I was familiar with different brush strokes and painting techniques that differentiate every artist, but I had never really brought that aspect into my writing style. Within the first few chapters, I started viewing writing differently and I started developing a more personal and emotional feeling towards writing topics and pieces, just as I would within an art piece.
Murray's writing is very easy to read and it is almost as if you are having a conversation with him instead of just reading an instruction manual. This book is not only helpful with tips and advice for actually writing a piece, but it is also helpful in discovering oneself through their own writing experiences. In the beginning chapters, Murray encourages the readers that writing is fun and an individual experience that we get to share with others. I tend to forget about the fun that writing can be when I am in a university setting. With guidelines, due dates, MLA or Chicago style...there is so much that we as students have to be conscious of in our writing that it takes out all of the fun.
He then began speaking about the writing process. I was surprised by his instruction to “unlearn to write” but really liked how he then started giving advice on what the process should really look like, unlike that which we grow up with. It is almost like we have to take our stereotypical mindsets of what is good writing and throw it out the window so that our individual style and "voice" can show through.
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