Writing the Proposal or Vow: Editing Your Work
So you’ve thought long and hard, written your every feeling and experience, and now you just want to memorize it until you can say it in your sleep. Wait! You haven’t edited it yet! Editing your vow or proposal is one of the most critical steps you can not afford to miss because here, you will catch any spelling or grammar mistakes.
How do I edit? First, read quietly, to yourself the entire speech. Does it sound good to you? Does every word make sense? This activity will help you to catch any spelling or word misuses. Next, read it aloud. Does it sound a little funny? Maybe you need to put in a comma or two. Doing so, not only makes it sound better, but also emphasis the points you are trying to most deeply express. Practice reading aloud until you are comfortable with it, and next time, we will work on memorization techniques.
Writing the Proposal or Vows: Organizing Your Pre-Writing Thoughts
Ok, so now you are ready to take all of those thoughts, wishes, hopes and dreams for the two of you and put them into an organized group of words? First, you will want to ask yourself how you are going to get him or her to notice you. If this is going to be unexpected, and most likely you will be nervous, or if this is expected and you both are going to be nervous, consider opening with a bit of humor. This will break the ice and at least get you both smiling. Next, start with the past, make you way through the present, and end with any future goals that you wish to reach with your new or potential life-mate. When all of this is done, pause right there. Tomorrow, we will touch on the editing process. Yes, while this is not your college term paper, it still needs to be edited; so sit tight!
Getting Started: Prewriting
Ok, so you’ve decided you want to try to write a proposal or vow yourself. Great, now where to begin, you ask? Pre-writing, or brainstorming, is the first step in the writing process. To being your writing, I want you to fold your paper into three columns and ask yourself these questions.
Column one - What is it about this person that you really like? Was there moment of truth where the two of you were tested, and this person’s character or trait that you admire came through to win over your heart? (Basically, we will call this column the past)
Column two – How long have you two been together? Have you seen any major growth improvements as a couple that have led you to this day? Why did you pick now to ask (right amount of time together, expecting a baby, something told you inside it was right, etc.) him/her to marry you? For the second column, you will be dealing with your relationship specifically as a couple in the present tense.
Column three – Your future goals as a couple are addressed here. Some questions to ask yourself in this column are: Where do you see the two of yourself years from now? Will you stand by him/her in both the good and bad times ahead? If step-children are involved will you make the commitment to be in their lives forever? Think about this column long and hard; while you are not technically “selling yourself” like in a job interview, but standing firm in a commitment which, for most people, is even more powerful, as for many it is in a house of worship where these commitments will be made.
Look for my next step, putting it all together in words, tomorrow.
