Week #3 Response

In the essay, Shitty First Drafts, by Anne Lamott, she points out that in the world of writing, there is no such thing as a perfect first draft. It takes time, patience, dedication, and above all else, drafts. Sometimes lots of them, and sometimes some pretty shitty ones at that. However, she comforts us that this is the way it is for everyone. There isn't a soul in the world who can just sit down and write a masterpiece, let alone anyone who can even sit down and just start writing quality, final draft material right away. Even our favorite and the most renowned authors suffer from writers block now and again. People have strategies and steps for getting their words out onto paper, whether it's brainstorming and gathering thoughts, or just writing constantly until the levies of ones mind gives way, the trick is to just do it. Anne suggest that often times one of the most powerful things that holds us back is fear. Fear of judgment, fear of what others might think of our unpolished and raw work, sometimes even fear of what we ourselves will think of our work. She encourages us to let go of such silly concerns. After all, there is a reason they call it a rough draft, they were never intended to be smooth. She places great emphases on the importance of a robust first draft, shitty or not. We must understand that they are merely the foundation for what is to follow, but only that. We mustn't linger on the details of them, for there will be plenty of time to revise and redraft those in the future.