Audio available in app
Embrace shitty first drafts from "summary" of Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
You have to start somewhere when you sit down to write. And that somewhere is usually pretty awful. It's like stepping into a messy room full of junk - you have to start sorting through things before you can find what you're looking for. That's where the idea of embracing shitty first drafts comes in. It's about accepting that your first attempt at writing is going to be far from perfect. In fact, it's going to be downright terrible. But that's okay. Because the first draft is just the beginning. It's like laying down the foundation for a house - it's not pretty, but it's necessary. You have to get all your ideas out on the page, no matter how messy or incoherent they may seem. This is the time to let your creativity flow without worrying about grammar, structure, or even making sense. When you embrace shitty first drafts, you give yourself permission to be imperfect. You allow yourself to make mistakes, to go off on tangents, to write utter nonsense. Because you know that you can always come back later and clean up the mess. The important thing is to get something down on paper, no matter how awful it may be. Writing is a process of discovery. You may not know what you're trying to say until you start saying it. And that's where the magic happens. In the messiness of the first draft, you may stumble upon a brilliant idea, a unique turn of phrase, a profound insight. But you'll never find it if you don't allow yourself to make mistakes. So, don't be afraid of writing badly. Embrace those shitty first drafts with open arms. They are the raw material from which your masterpiece will emerge. Trust in the process, and have faith that you can turn that mess into something beautiful. Just keep writing, keep editing, keep refining. And before you know it, you'll have a finished piece that you can be proud of.
Similar Posts
Develop good writing habits
To become a successful writer, it is essential to establish a routine of good writing habits. These habits are not merely a mat...
Build tension in your writing
One of the key elements in creating a compelling piece of writing is the ability to build tension. Tension is what keeps reader...
Create dynamic conflict to keep readers interested
The key to maintaining a reader's interest is to introduce dynamic conflict into your story. Conflict is the driving force behi...
Be mindful of context
The meaning of a word can vary depending on the context in which it is used. A single word can have multiple meanings, and the ...
Start with big picture editing
When you sit down to edit your own work, it's tempting to dive right in and start fixing individual sentences. But before you g...
The art of crafting a strong introduction
Crafting a strong introduction is an essential skill for any writer, as it sets the tone for the entire piece. The introduction...
Writers must stay open to inspiration
Writing requires a willingness to be receptive to inspiration from unexpected sources. This means being open to ideas that may ...
Incorporate critical thinking into writing exercises
Critical thinking is a crucial skill that students need to develop in order to engage with complex texts and ideas. One way to ...
Find inspiration in the mundane
The idea of discovering inspiration in the everyday may seem paradoxical at first. After all, isn't inspiration supposed to com...
Share your writing with others to gain perspective
One of the most valuable practices a writer can engage in is sharing their writing with others. This act of sharing allows the ...