This article was written by Anne Lamott and during the year 1954. The thesis of this selection is that shitty first drafts are necessary. The author claims this because they are needed to have a successful first draft. By doing so, the writer can see where the mistakes occur and have adequate time to fix these mistakes. I know personally speaking, I have to write several shitty drafts before something good comes out of it. I make many mistakes, that teachers or peers generally show me. It is difficult for one to see their own mistakes. I feel one way to help fix this problem is to read out loud the article. Sometimes we can hear these mistakes, however, we can’t easily see them.
Even successful writers are not always feeling to write. They are just like normal people, like you and I. They become tired and also, like us, write many drafts. Many people believe they are perfect writers, with little to no mistakes, but that is not the truth. These people have problems just like we do. They create probably more drafts then we do. Since they have professional works, they must do the most since money will generate from their efforts.
I cannot imagine writing professionally as my career choice. I am very shy with allowing others to see my work. I would not be able to be open and honest with writings if I knew that others would read it and know it was a production of my own. I understand that some authors use aliases, but still, I don’t enjoy allowing others to know how I feel. I am this way in real life also, I do not like to open up to anyone including family and friends alike. I have always been this way, and most likely always will be.
The author claimed that one should trust the process, but this is very difficult for me. Whenever I write a paper for class, I stress until I see my grade. Even after that, depending on the results I still stress about it. I feel that sometimes this is normal, however, not to the degree that I take it. It’s very hard for me to trust something that is unknown. I understand that there really isn’t much I can do after a paper is turned in, but it makes me feel anxiety. I think the main reasoning for this is that English isn’t my first language. So when I write, I am never 100% if my messages are coming off right or if I’m properly answering the question.
This article ties into the censoring language paper I had just recently written. The author in this selection uses the word shitty. At first, I was quite shocked at the language. To me, it seemed unprofessional. One could say crappy, and that seems more suitable for this book. Although, this did gain my attention as to what the subject is about. I think that may be why the author used it. To add some interest to an otherwise boring topic.
Writing is what I struggle with most. Knowing that even professional authors struggle with such topics brings me some ease. I figured, they, if anyone, would never need a draft. I thought they just simply wrote, and it was all correct. I even felt this way with most English native persons. I never would have imagined that they undergo the same identical process as I do. I mean certainly they have fewer flaws in their papers, but they devise several drafts and thinking processes just as me.
