If you’ve been paying attention, you know we think free-writing is THE way to start your college essay.
But unexpectedly I came across some sage advice on how NOT to begin your essay, which I’ll pass onto you. (Don’t fret– it leads right back to free-writing.)
Being Bored, Lazy, Trivial and Proud: that’s how not to write your college essay.
Paying attention?
Got that?
Need a sharper voice to tell you so?
Sit up and listen to these words from poet Frank O’Hara. Or better: read them out loud.
Don’t be bored, don’t be lazy, don’t be trivial, and don’t be proud. The slightest loss of attention leads to death.
— Frank O’Hara, 1964
Did he say death? He said death!
To avoid such certain death, here are some free-writing exercises to set your observer free. Your medicine is…Your attention! And what simple steps must you take? Pay it!
(Don’t worry: your doctor would approve.)
(And the admissions committee would definitely approve, because they are SO bored of being bored!)
Your inner observer can do the work
There is nothing better you can do for your college essay success (or your writing voice, period) than to liberate your honest inner observer.
Who’s that? Glad you asked.
It’s the little voice inside you that knows–or could know– what you’re really like. Where you shine, where you falter, where you are (join the club, membership free) unmistakably human.
Let’s look at this quote again, then complete all or some of the prompts below.
Don’t be bored, don’t be lazy, don’t be trivial, and don’t be proud. The slightest loss of attention leads to death.
— Frank O’Hara, 1964
Free-Writing Prompts:
- Reflect on something from your life that makes you: 1) bored, 2) lazy, 3) trivial and 4) proud. (One example for each, please, and using as much detail as possible)
- Reflect on something that makes you sit up and pay attention. Voluntarily (say, Simone Biles) or involuntarily (say, gunshots).
- Speculate: how could you cross the bridge between prompt #1 and prompt #2? What does it feel like when you’re paying attention?
- Think big. What the hell is O’Hara talking about? Why should it matter (to you?)?
Forgot the rules for free-writing? Go here.
Now what?
Want feedback? Want to expose yourself to a non-judgmental audience (our baby judges no one!)? We’re paying attention to you, and to the meaning lurking inside your words. (However crappy they come out at first. Do not worry).
Copy-paste your work into our contact page. We’ll get right back to you with our rates and turn-around time. Your few minutes invested up front in these free-writes could lead to an unexpectedly powerful personal essay. We’ve seen it happen hundreds of times.
Are you a free-writing prompt junkie? Head to our Facebook page and scroll through our feed. Prompts galore.
