Anne Lamott’s article, “Shitty First Drafts”, talks about how every writer should start off by writing a shitty draft because from there you are able to produce even better drafts by figuring out what works and what does not. This reminded me of the dotline project we are doing in class because we had to prepare 15 thumbnail sketches and after getting feedback we created 15 more. From there we keep getting more feedback and improving our ideas until we finally get close to something worthy enough to be a final composition. I think the hardest part of this process for me is getting over my fear of producing something not pleasing enough. I need to focus more on getting my ideas down first and then perfecting it later.…
In my opinion, whoever said that the process of writing was fun and creative was delusional. I find writing to be incredibly daunting and as painful as the sound of fingernails scraping a chalkboard. Reason being, I never learned that one should begin a paper by writing a “Shitty First Draft.” In the past, I would practice getting it right the first time around without any direction or sense of organization. However, after reading Anne Lamott’s article about “Shitty First Drafts,” I’m thankful I am not alone in my quest to write the perfect piece all at once.…
For the article “Shitty First Drafts” we read this week, it remained me something about writing. This is a essay written by Anne Lamott, who is the author of six novels, the food reviewer for the magazine, a book reviewer for Mademoiselle, and a regular contributor to Salon.’s .“Mothers Who Think..” She’s busy because of several occupation at the same time, but there's still a question that what made her writing attracted? In this essay we read, there may be the answer.…
One concept that I learned is the importance of what a first draft means to writers. A first draft is like the…
Whenever I have to write an essay, I do feel like pulling out my teeth or better yet just dropping out of school. I do relate to the essay “Shitty First Drafts” by Anna Lamott because I do struggle writing my first draft. I have always struggled writing any kind of papers. My first drafts are more than shitty. Sometimes in the middle of my first draft you will see a word or even a sentence that has nothing to do with the topic that is being discussed.…
This essay stands out in my mind because of its relatable topic; pretty much everyone at some point or another has struggled with writing, whether they care to admit it or not. Lamott realizes this, which spurred her on to trying to help audiences to realize that no one writes perfectly at first, and that brainstorming by write without caring inevitably breeds perfection. First drafts, as Lamott reveals, are “The child’s draft, where you let it all pour out and then let it romp all over the place, knowing that not one is going to see it and that you can shape it later” (222). For instance, whenever a person starts a new writing, thousands of thoughts and words are echoing through their heads. Not knowing where to begin or what to first write down.…
It shows the audience that even the most experienced writers start with nothing but a jumble of unorganized thoughts. Lamott also uses this personal experience to let the readers into her thought process. Not only does Lamott lower herself to the writer’s aspect of things by saying how she has a hard time writing too, but the readers can also see how she deals with it. Throughout, readers begin to realize that professional writers aren 't as perfect as they seem. Lots of people believe professional writers are perfect from the first draft all the way to the…
Entering a Conversation While writing there is a lot of pressure to be able to create a perfect piece of writing. This tends to create an unreasonable type of pressure on the writer. Writers tend to overthink their work which leads to a block being created. When approaching writing many of use take different routes, but more often than not we stress ourselves out trying to create perfect drafts. In “The Inspired Writer Vs.…
“Shitty First Drafts" by Anne Lamott states everybody should write shitty first drafts to make their writing better, but many people tend to think successful writers only write their writing once. Anne Lamott says people don 't understand that all great writers write many shitty drafts before they have their final draft. Good writers write first drafts to put everything in their mind on their paper. She says its good to write shitty first drafts because first drafts are child drafts. When you are writing…
Contrary to Tompkins (2012) theory that explains children can be writers at the same time they are learning to read if not sooner; when children are able to develop the interrelation of purpose, audience they can write about those experiences while learning standard spelling usage, capitalization, and punctuation. The writing process has five features with subsections lead the writer through the complete process of producing a paper ready for publishing. When I compare my writing preparation I find that most times it falls into prewriting = 1st draft, revising = 2nd draft, final round of revising for grammar/punctuation errors, and the paper is ready for submission. Tompkins (2012) outlines the constructive process of writing with the key features; prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.…
“The Maker’s Eye” In the article “The Maker’s Eye” by Donald Murray, the author explains the aspects of rewriting and how writing isn't a one step process. Most professional writers live by the phrase “writing is rewriting.” One of Murray’s idea is about the importance of revision that plays a big role in becoming a better writer. Murray mentions Peter F. Drucker, a prolific business writer, who claims that his first draft is “the zero draft.”…
Stephen King, in his piece “What Writing Is”, claims that “it’s writing, damn it, not washing the car or putting on eyeliner. If you can take it seriously, we can do business”. Not only is writing an intellectual and reflective activity, it is a vital skill in all fields of work and academia, and can be learned through abundant reading and practice. Effective and engaging writing can bring about change. Claim:…
Her method of writing strengthens her story and allows reflection on her past. Griffin writes, “Often I have looked back into my past with a new insight only to find that some old, hardly recollected feeling fits into a larger pattern of meaning” (234). Throughout the essay Griffin refers back to her past and allows new messages in certain paragraphs. These paragraphs often convey messages which allow readers to feel connected. This writing method introduces how she is as an author and how she allows others to feel as if they can imagine and understand the story.…
In Anne Lamott’s article “Shitty First Drafts,” she believes that every good writer should write shitty first drafts because the writer will produce better second drafts and “terrific third drafts.” she said when you write your shitty first draft, just write whatever you have on your mind because no one is going to see your first drafts. She said it is okay to make mistake because you don't get better if you don't try it and mistakes make you better. All writers struggle to write shitty first drafts, but they never give up. After you’re done reading the first draft, start revising your first draft then begin to structure into the second draft.…
Parents and teachers often have trouble deciphering what they wrote, and also students struggle with reading their own notes sometimes. Graham remarks that, “All beginning writers struggle with fluency and legibility to some extent, and that inevitably affects their approach to composing. Young writers typically cope with the multiple demands of handwriting and composing by minimizing the composing process (planning, organizing, etc.)” (Graham, 2010, p.50). If there is early attention put into handwriting about student’s legibility there will be a decrease in the likelihood of them becoming poor writers in the…