Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Drib
I agree: It shouldn't stop someone from writing.
But, in my opinion, such an exercise is merely therapeutic, at best.
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I disagree. Writing, at its core, can be broken down into a number of distinct elements. One of them is basic grammar. Another is a grasp of plot and story structure. A third centers around the idea of passion, and learning to put not just words, but
emotion onto the page. And perhaps the most critical is a sort of tethered
hubris: enough confidence to believe people will pay money for what you have to say, without becoming so overconfident that you reject all outside input.
The exercise under discussion will do nothing to further the first basic skill. But it is extremely valuable as a means of developing the other three. Particularly the last one. Fledgeling writers, in my experience, tend to be delicate and tentative. Before tackling grammar, before diving into an analysis of story structure or market trends, it can be incredibly valuable to simply experience the act of creation: to discover the techniques that keep the words flowing onto the page, to convince oneself that yes, this can really be done, and it is worth doing.
Will the product of such an exercise be immediately salable? Probably not. But it is far, far more than merely a therapeutic exercise.