I was so pleased after reading Anne Lamott's "Shitty First Drafts". It made me feel comfortable to write wherever the heck I want, without the restrictions of my "perfectionism". I totally loved how she shares that we all believe that our favorite authors write perfectly. I truly believe, even after reading this article, that my favorite writer was just perfect. Like for an example, my favorite poet is John Keats and after reading his poems I can only imagine that all he has to do is just sit down and write his poem nonchalantly. But if I try really hard, I can only imagine him hesitating for a moment but then continues on. I mean the thought of John Keats crumpling up papers of his "shitty" drafts was just impossible!
I also loved how Lamott wrote about her writing process. I felt like someone understood me, because I too freak out when nothing is coming to mind as I write my essay. And I get the notion that everyone is doing so well that they are beyond the point of stress and are out having fun. Thus begins my long nights of staying up late, frantically finishing up my paper before the next few hours that it's due. But now I feel a bit better about writing the first draft, because I have always treated my first draft as my final draft. Now I can just write everything that comes out of my mind...that relates to the topic of course, but it case it doesn't, I can always change it later. And it's comforting knowing that a higher being like God is on my side, helping with my paper, because no other problems in the world are as important! I just want to point how respectful and understanding Lamott is. I mean it may seem like a small detail for most, but I really liked how she addresses to both audiences; those who believe and those who don't.
There was one thing that I didn't agree and one thing I didn't understand from this essay. What I didn't understand form this article was "the kid against the fence" under School Lunches. Like is there any wrong with a "kid against the fence", is he trapped? Well at least he was very helpful to Lamott in the end...somehow. And what I didn't agree with was how she wrote a draft twice as long as what was required. I mean if I did that, I would be going off on so many tangents to the point where the topic in of my essay is lost. Plus with all of the workload in college, I doubt that we would have time to write such a paper. I mean we would have time, but that would just cut into our free time of going out. I guess I'm just saying that because I'm a freshmen, but I'm sure that one day I'll be studying and working all the time. And I just went off a bit of a tangent, and you know what I feel fine...thanks Anne!
And ending her essay with her going to the Special Olympics was very heart-felting, it made me happy and I usually not get happy after reading an essay. And man I sure would love to make someone happy after reading my essay. And she's also a teacher, which for some reason makes it better. Probably because I respect teachers who actually care about their work, otherwise she wouldn't have written this essay. And I guess the best practice that I can get out of this essay is to just write whatever you want and proofread it later. It's beneficial because it allows you to write all of your thoughts and you can put them all together rather than trying to recall thoughts of what you thought were "bad". Overall, Lamott's essay did help ease my writing anxieties, so thanks again Anne!
You should watch the movie Bright Star. It centers on Keat's romantic relationship, but it provides insights into the way he lived as well. Of course, it's a Hollywood movie, but it might give you some new perspective on how he made his way (or didn't) as a poet.
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