Critical vs creative writing

The ideas presented in the readings for this week all relate to one another, I can see that. I understand the logic of exploratory writing, and how it can create a map for reference, in case you get lost in your writing. This makes sense to me, since I often make "outlines" for myself while writing. They're really nothing more than a haphazard list of bullet points that I write illegibly on a notebook, but it happens to be a way for me to see where I've been and where I would like to go in my writing.

The only thing that I get caught up on is the several steps it takes to get there. It's an overly explanatory explanation of writing. I took a class once where we were put into groups for a research presentation. We were required to turn in a research question, then a hypothesis, then sources, then annotated sources, then an outline, and finally, at some point in the semester, we were able to give our presentation. On the holy grail. We showed a video clip of Monty Python. I have to think that at some point, students need to work at their own pace, however fast or slow that might be. Exploratory writing is a great way to start out, but you cannot force a student to do something that simply doesn't work for him/her.

Similarly, I can see the logic behind active waiting. I actually think I could employ it a bit more when it comes to writing. I have to distinguish though, the style of writing these "rules" address. There have been times in which I have written at my best when I have sat down and made myself write, creatively speaking. I understand the need to actively pause when writing critically, but not creatively.

The reverse goes for the begin writing early "rule." I often write my way into my narrative when I write creatively because I needed to sort it out on paper, to begin telling the story before I felt comfortable. But critically, I'm not sure if this is true for me. I often sketch out my plan for the paper before I begin writing, or else I feel like I will end up somewhere I didn't want to be. I'll write myself into a corner, with no way out. So in a sense, I agree with the "rules" Boice has laid out, I just disagree with the context of the writing.