Study Notes on Anne Lamott's "Shitty First Drafts"
Overview of Anne Lamott's Perspective on Writing
Introduction to Anne Lamott
Biographical Details
Born in San Francisco in 1954.
Graduate of Goucher College, Baltimore.
Author of six novels:
Rosie (1983)
Crooked Little Heart (1997)
All New People (2000)
Blue Shoes (2002)
Worked as a food reviewer for California magazine and a book reviewer for Mademoiselle.
Regular contributor to Salon’s “Mothers Who Think.”
Nonfiction Works
Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son’s First Year (1993): Describes her experiences as a single parent.
Tender Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith (1999): Chronicles her journey towards faith in God.
The Concept of "Shitty First Drafts"
Essence of Shitty First Drafts
All writers produce them; they are a crucial step in the writing process.
They serve as a foundation for better second drafts and refined final versions.
Myth vs. Reality in Writing
Common misconception: Successful writers sit down feeling confident and inspired.
Reality: Writers often do not feel enthusiastic or confident, contrary to public perception.
Notable exception: Lamott identifies one writer who writes well from the start, but she humorously implies they lack a rich inner life.
A friend’s advice: If God dislikes the same people you do, it indicates a problem in your perception of God.
The Writing Process
Psychological Challenges
Writers do not typically begin with effortless creativity; the process often feels laborious.
The act of writing can resemble pulling teeth, no matter how skilled the writer.
Lamott’s Experience with Food Reviews
Writing food reviews for California magazine involved pressure and panic.
Regardless of experience, Lamott often felt overwhelmed when trying to write the lead for a review.
Example of panic: Thoughts of being unable to capture the “magic” of writing, leading her to consider returning to clerical work.
Strategies for Overcoming Writer’s Block
The Importance of First Drafts
Lamott emphasizes the need to allow oneself to write a “shitty first draft.”
This draft is where she permits her creative instincts to run wild without censorship.
Allows for childlike spontaneity in writing, embracing even absurd characters and dialogue.
Process of Writing
Initially chaotic; she writes extensively (example: a lead paragraph that is a full page long).
Faces internal critics while writing, leading to self-criticism and self-doubt.
Typical outcome: A lengthy and incoherent first draft filled with non-essential detail.
Revising and Refining the Drafts
Second Draft Process
Following the terrible first draft, Lamott sits down with colored pens to edit.
She focuses on condensing material, finding a compelling lead, and crafting an appropriate ending.
Lamott notes that this process often leads to enjoyable and useful results after revisions.
Cycle of Writing
After completing a review, the anxiety and fear of upcoming projects returns, including worries about accessibility of the first draft.
Understanding the Nature of Drafts
Draft Descriptions
First Draft: Known as the “down draft,” where the aim is simply to get ideas down on paper.
Second Draft: The “up draft,” focused on revising for clarity and accuracy.
Third Draft: The “dental draft,” examining each part of the work for quality and coherence.
Key Questions Raised by Lamott
Perception vs. Reality of Writing
Lamott describes misconceptions about the ease of writing as “the fantasy of the uninitiated.”
Reflects on how most readers do not grasp the internal struggles writers experience.
Trusting the Process
Lamott's statement about trusting the writing process “more or less” reflects a common wariness among writers.
Her view may resonate with a universal uncertainty in the writing experience.
Process vs. Product
Discussion on whether the focus of writing a first draft should be on the product or the process itself.
Encourages self-reflection on individual writing experiences regarding the priority of product versus process.