For homework you read the essay Shitty First Drafts by Ann Lamott. Please answer the following questions. You can post your answers by commenting on this post. Posts are due by the end of the day Friday.
1. Were you surprised by anything in this essay?
2. What did you learn from this essay?
3. Choose one quote from the essay you like and explain why. Perhaps you like an idea or writing style or language choice.
After you have posted your response, be sure to respond to at least two classmates posts by the end of the day Sunday.
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ReplyDeleteI was surprised that even good writers all start out with a shitty first draft. I knew that their first attempts wouldn't be their final copy but I felt that good writers could always write something very well on their first go. What I learned from this essay is that it is okay to have a bad first copy of your work. This leaves room for improvement in the future copies of your work. One quote that I really liked from this essay was on page 356 "Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. you need to start somewhere." I really liked this quote because it was very easy to relate too. For me personally I know that my first copy of something is never my best work, seeing that even good writers admit that their first drafts are never their best work either makes it easier to accept that your first copy is not that well written either. As long as you start somewhere you are putting in the effort to your paper.
ReplyDeleteThat's what i thought at first about good writers that they don't make mistakes and that they knew what they were typing right off the bat but i guess not. Yeah starting off somewhere will help your writing improve as you write your drafts to make your essay better every time.
DeleteLeann, that is one of my favorite quotes too. I always tell my students I can't help you if you give me nothing to work with, but if there is something on the page, even if it is awful, we can work with it.
DeleteI agree that knowing good writers start off with first drafts that aren't the best makes it easier to admit that our first copies aren't the best either. I think it makes you feel more confident in your writing knowing that great authors started the same way you did
DeleteI agree i always thought experienced writers just wrote once on the topic they were writing about and that was the end of it. Hearing how middle aged men and woman who write for a career find writing difficult, makes me feel a little better when when a papers due and your freaking out about it.
DeleteI liked that quote too because although the first draft is not the best written work it could be a good start.
DeleteI also liked that quote and found it to be relatable, since it's often difficult to figure out where to start when writing. However, even just writing something down helps the task seem a bit less overwhelming. After all, you always have to start somewhere.
DeleteI was surprised to see that even the best writers have trouble diving in to their work and that writing does not always come easy to people. From this essay I learned that your first draft does not have to be so thought out and that you can just let your ideas flow with out worrying. Practice does make improvement and each draft will continue to get better and better. I am not sure of the page number of this quote because I read the text online, but the quote that I liked was, "People tend to look at successful writers who are getting their books published and maybe even doing well financially and think that they sit down at their desks every morning feeling like a million dollars, feeling great about who they are and how much talent they have and what a great story they have to tell; that they take in a few deep breaths, push back their sleeves, roll their necks a few times to get all the cricks out, and dive in, typing fully formed passages as fast as a court reporter" (Lamott). I chose this quote because it grabs the readers attention making it easy for the readers to relate to, knowing that everyone struggles with their first drafts.
ReplyDeleteExactly. I find the way this is written very easy to relate to.
DeleteI think you chose a great quote. I agree that it's very easy to relate to because everyone has difficulty starting their first drafts and it's surprising to see that talented writers have the same struggles as everyone else when it comes to writing
DeleteLiterally, like everyone else has said, I like the quote you chose. Its very easy to relate to because it goes to show that even the best of writers struggle as we do.
DeleteI was surprised too that even the best writers sometimes find it hard to dive straight into their writing! I also really like your quote!
DeleteAfter reading Shitty First Drafts by Anne Lamott, I agree with what she wrote about first drafts.As stated in the essay,"the first draft is the child's draft, where you let it all pour out and then let is romp all over the place, knowing that no one is going to see it and that you shape it later." First draft do not have to prefect, the messier they are, the better, because it shows that you have a lot of great ideas on what you are trying to write. In English 101, I found myself writing 2, sometimes 3 drafts before I felt my work was good enough to pass in for a grade.If you are looking to become a good writer, then you need to follow the Shitty First Draft technique.This technique is the path to successful writing.
ReplyDeleteI like how you used the quote about the children because i used the same quote and feel the same way about it. Also, during English 101 we actually did have to do a couple drafts to make our essays better then they were when we first wrote our ideas.
DeleteThis metaphor is one of my favorites. It makes the process easy to understand.
DeleteI agree that I found myself revising my English 101 essays two to three times before I felt it was ready and each time I was critiquing more complex details instead of just spell checking myself.
DeleteI agree, I liked the same quote you chose. I can honestly say the same about writing multiple first drafts before turning one in for a passing grade, I just always wanted my work to perfect. This essay can definitely give courage to writers.
DeleteI was surprised that even people that are great writers have to do more then one draft to make their book or writing the best it can be. It's not perfect but every draft that writers write the writing will get better and better every time. I'm also surprised how great writers have to do three or more drafts to make it better and when they look back at their drafts they always find errors no matter what. What i learned about this essay is there are three types or drafts. The first draft is the down draft, the second draft is the up draft, and the last draft would be a dental draft. I also learned if i write drafts and correct them i will always find a mistake to fix so that my essay can be better then it was the first time. Practice makes perfect for everything even writing. My favorite quote from this essay was "The first draft is the child's draft, where you let it all pour out and then let it romp all over the place" I like this quote because it shows that drafts are ideas and they can be messy like children paintings, writing and etc... No matter how bad it is at first it will get better.
ReplyDeleteI also was surprised to find out that great writers have to write more than one draft before it is perfect. I like the quote you picked because i used the same one and liked how i write my first draft that way
DeleteI was surprised that talented writers have a really hard time in the beginning. I never thought great writers had great first drafts, but I didn't how hard or how long it take them to write something really good. Something I learned from this reading is that when writhing a first draft you just have to get words on paper. Usually when I write my first draft I am very caution on what I put on paper and make sure it make sense, but because of this reading I now understand it is okay to put down whatever comes to mind and pick and choose what you want to use for the next draft. A quote that I liked was "very few writers really know what they are doing until they've done it"(Lamott 355). I like this quote because most people think writer just know what they are doing and sometimes they don't. So when I am writer I don't necessarily need to know what I'm doing because I can figure it out later on. Also this quote is relatable because if your just a child and you don't necessarily know what stealing is until you actually have stolen something. So I can completely understand why only a few writers actually know what they are doing.
ReplyDeleteBefore i was going to read the essay i thought it was just going to be a a long article about what not to write about and examples of what not to write about. But instead it showed that even the most brilliant writers have troubles from time to time writing, and hearing the process of writing a new article sounded devastating and it almost made me wonder why people were writers when writing is so difficult and mentally draining.
DeleteI also have a tendency to always be checking over my work and making sure that it is as close to perfect as possible, including the first draft. It can be challenging to just let go and write whatever you feel like, but I know that nobody else necessarily even has to see the very first draft, so it shouldn't be obsessed over and worried about too much.
DeleteWhat surprised me about this article was that even people who write for a living struggle with creating a final product. They even stress over it more than myself and other amateur writers. What I learned from this reading was that you shouldn't stress yourself over a first draft, just get stuff done on the paper no matter how stupid it might sound. The quote i chose was " Very few writers really know what they are doing until they've done it. Nor do they go about their business feeling dewy and thrilled." The reason I chose this quote is because it makes feel better that even professional writers don't make a masterpiece on their first try and act like it's nothing.
ReplyDeleteI like that quote too because even professional writers never start off with a good draft.
DeleteI agree with this quote too because it proves that writers start essays just as we do. We have no idea what to write until we just start writing.
DeleteAgreed, some writers just make it seem like everything they write is perfect no matter what. At least this author actually spoke about the mistakes that they make too.
DeleteI was surprised to learn that even the most talented writers have difficulty starting their writing. This essay taught me that it's okay to write down everything you think and be messy in your first draft. I always struggle at the beginning of my essays because I don't know where to start but this taught me that you can worry about organization later. I liked the quote "Very few writers really know what they are doing until they've done" because it shows that writing is an art and it isn't planned out ahead of time, it just comes naturally. You would think that talented writers already know everything they want to write down, but often some of their best ideas come from a messy first draft.
ReplyDeleteI like that we both agree we find it surprising to see the most talented writers struggle to get something down on paper. I also enjoyed your quote because it teaches us that even the best writing can start from the worst.
DeleteThe beginning is where I mostly struggle too. I always worried about how to organize my essays before I even started them which made me take longer than I should have to finish them. This essay helped a lot and so did Professor Williams class last semester
DeleteI was also surprised that talented writers have difficulty starting to get words down on paper because I have that problem as well. My English teacher last semester sometimes said that if you have trouble starting your essay just get the rest of your ideas down first and then go back to the beginning to create a stronger introduction.
DeleteI was also surprised that even talented writers struggle with their writing.
DeleteI really like your quote! I agree with how you said that writing is an art and it isnt planned out ahead of time!
DeleteI was surprised that all great writers start off by writing shitty first drafts. I always thought that great writers just were naturally good at coming up with a great first drafts without having to make a second or third one .This makes me feel little better about myself because writing essays is one of my weak points in school and I have to write a few drafts before I actually like one. I learned from this essay that all great writers start with a bad draft and not to worry if I write a first bad draft because no one is going to see it besides myself. The quote i liked the most from this essay was "The first draft is the child's draft, where you let it all pour out and then let it romp all over the place, knowing that no one is going to see it and that you can shape it later" I liked this quote the most because it relates to how I write my first draft. It looks like a fifth grader wrote it, but they eventually improve.
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DeleteI agree with you Kyle. I was shocked to find out that most professional writers have trouble writing. I thought they were gifted with the ability but we all are alike. It makes me feel better that i am not alone having struggle to write.
DeleteYou made a good point. It is comforting to know that the first drafts don't have to be perfect and that we all go through the struggle.
DeleteI completely agree with your first sentence. I mentioned the same exact thing when writing my blog. Its was an interesting point.
DeleteI was very surprised after reading Shitty First Drafts. I was surprised to discover professional writers and authors themselves have difficulty with “free writing.” After reading this passage I realized that I am not alone struggling to just write anything down on paper but others are right by my side.This passage taught me a couple key concepts on how to free write. One would be to take a deep breath before starting to write and to calm myself down. I need to get my mind off of things and just focus on the blank piece of paper. Besides that, this passage taught me to continue to keep writing. I know my first couple of drafts’ will not be perfect by all means, but each draft I complete will continue to get better until the final draft is perfected. One quote I enjoyed reading was the second to last paragraph on page 356. Anne Lamott states, “A friend of mine says that the first draft is the down draft – you just get it down. The second draft is the up draft - you fix it up. And the third draft is the dental draft, where you check every tooth, to see if it’s loose or cramped or decayed, or even, God help us, healthy.” (AL, 356) The author Anne Lamott is telling her readers to not worry about how awful you think your first or second draft is, but to fix all the mistakes you made in your paper until it is perfect. Anne Lamott is even comparing the final draft to teeth. She makes sure that the paper looks fantastic, such as a dentist would check a patient’s teeth to see if they are healthy.
ReplyDeleteI like the quote that you chose! I didn't realize how important it was until you pointed it out!
DeleteI didn't realize how important the key concepts were until I read your blog.
DeleteExcellent points, Eric. Those steps you point out are important to the writing process. It doesn't matter what you start with as long as you start with something.
DeleteYou did an excellent job of really breaking down the work that goes into creating a writing.
DeleteI was reading the essay, and as i read i was surprised to hear about the difficulty of writing that affects even the most experienced writers. I always thought that after learning enough about english you would get to a point where writing is as simply as riding a bike . During the essay she almost made being a writer sound depressing by saying every time she picked up a pencil to write she would start freaking out and panicking and not knowing what to do, and even going as far as to say her career was over. Hearing this story defiantly raises my confidence a little bit about writing this semester.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your first sentence. That was something that was surprising to me. I really like riding a bike analogy, I never looked at it that way.
DeleteI 100% agree with you, Landon. She did make it sound depressing.
DeleteI'm with you on your first sentence, it took me by surprise when I read that some of the most talented writers have problems starting out. I know I still do and probably always will.
DeleteThat was my hope. There is no reason for any of you to not feel confident about your writing as long as you try.
DeleteAfter reading the essay, I was surprised that all good writers compose shitty first drafts as well. I expected good writers to have little trouble since they write often. I learned that the first drafts are usually the child’s drafts. It is okay to “let is all pour out” and not worry about whether the language is good or not. The quote that I favored, “The right words and sentences just do not come pouring out like ticker tape most of the time” helps me understand that the main goal of the first draft is to keep writing and get something down on paper.
ReplyDeleteOne of my biggest problems
DeleteShamila, I can't stress enough how important it is to not get held up on the first draft and to just get something down on paper. When there is something there you can work with it. If you have nothing on the paper there is now where to go.
DeleteThat was one of my other favorite quotes.
DeleteAs a student, I find it very hard to believe that professional writers have a hard time revising an essay or even thinking about a topic. I always thought it was a student thing, mainly for beginners. One of the biggest points that I learned from this article was that it is okay to not be a perfect writer. To be quite honest, there is no such thing as the perfect writer. Knowing that, I have a sense of relief and a pressure lifted off of my shoulders. On Page 356 "Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts, you need to start somewhere." I think thats my favorite quote because it gives me inspiration that even though sometimes I don't think I have a good enough idea or I don't have enough information to talk about, it doesn't mean it's going to turn out terrible.
ReplyDeleteI like when you say there is no such thing as a perfect writer because you are completely right. Also, I agree with you that it is a sense of relief off every writer.
DeleteI found that same quote to be my favorite as well and I liked how to you it meant that even though you may not have enough information at the time that an idea isn't a bad one.
DeleteI share the same opinion. I too couldn't believe that authors (who write for a living) struggle with writing.
DeleteThis was one of my favorite quotes as well.
DeleteAfter reading "Shitty First Drafts," I thought it was relieving to think that as a student, we don't have to stress ourselves out to come up with the perfect first draft. I like the idea that writing is a process and you have many different drafts and opportunities to perfect your piece of writing. "If one of the characters wants to say, "Well, so what, Mr. Poopy Pants?," you let her. No one is going to see it." I liked this because personally when I am writing and I can't pronounce or spell someones name I get frustrated and can't get past writing without fixing that characters name. The author made me feel better about my writing and reminded me that no one is going to see my first draft and it is more important to get all my ideas on paper then perfecting a first draft.
ReplyDeleteThis was my second favorite quote because even though you mess up somewhere in the first draft you just have to move past it and fix it in the final draft.
DeleteI also found it very relieving since I also stress myself out in the first draft more than any other draft.
DeleteI agree with you, I felt so relieved to know that our first drafts don't have to be perfect. We just need somewhere to start and get our ideas down.
DeleteThat is a good point we often overlook, we will be the only ones to see it
DeleteI was also relieved while reading this essay. When it comes to writing essays, I feel pressured to do great on the first try, even though my first drafts come out terrible, but it is relieving to know that even the greatest of writers have many of the same problems that we as college students have.
DeleteReading this essay I was surprised to find out that even good writers have shitty first drafts and even freak out about them because you would think that someone who is so great at writing wouldn't even need to begin with a first draft. I learned that it is okay to have a crappy first go at an essay because everyone needs them, even the professionals. It kind of relieves the pressure of trying to make an essay perfect the first time you try to write one. One quote that really caught my attention was, "Almost all good writing begins with terrible first starts. You need to start somewhere." I liked this quote because it gives me the motivation and reassurance that a shitty first draft is acceptable and you're only getting closer to your final outcome.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by some of the methods that the writers used to get their thoughts out. I was even more surprised with the difficulty that Anne had producing a review after doing it several times before. I actually use the same method of just writing all my thoughts out then going back cutting stuff out and doing other revisions. I learned that even people who write daily have trouble writing. I also learned that even people who write pretty much the same topics have trouble. It seems like having a routine to writing helps. "Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere. Start by getting something -- anything -- down on paper". I think this is sometimes my problem because sometimes I just sit there and think instead of write.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you I was mostly surprised of the difficulty Anne had at writing a review too. It's crazy even the famous/ best writers aren't perfect. It takes time to write something good.
DeleteI was surprised by the fact that pretty much all terrific writers, just like any other person in the world, start out with a shitty first drafts. Yes, I completely understand practice makes perfect. But regarding that fact as a writer, I didn't think there would be such thing as a “shitty first draft”. I learned from this essay, that all writers are like everyday people. When it comes to writing, they let all their ideas just flow onto the paper. Mess up. Rewrite it. Mess up again. Panic. I also learned that it’s good to write a really crappy paper the first time, because that gives a person more room for improvement. The quote I really liked throughout this essay was the last paragraph, “Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere. Start by getting something -- anything -- down on paper. A friend of mine says that the first draft is the down draft -- you just get it down. The second draft is the up draft -- you fix it up. You try to say what you have to say more accurately. And the third draft is the dental draft, where you check every tooth, to see if it's loose or cramped or decayed, or even, God help us, healthy.” I found this quote intriguing because it related to my thinking of when I use to write essays throughout high school and my first semester in college. I’d just write, let all my ideas flow through my fingers as they hit the keyboard. Then I’d rewrite and fix it up. Then once again, I’d rewrite and completely look over every detail making sure I reached my full potential of whatever I happen to be writing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that I was surprised that all amazing authors and writers don't start out with terrific first drafts. Usually when we read something from a talented writer or author, we don't assume that they could have struggled with it because we enjoy what they have written.
DeleteI can never stress enough to students how important it is to just start writing. I can help you when there is something on the page, but you can't make something without a start.
DeleteI have to admit that this is so far one of the best essay that read this year. I'm so confident to have such a response, because most of the times when i write i get frustrated since the problem will always be where and how to start. Specially when English is my third language. I learned that writing can be difficult even for the best writers in the world and all of them have a shitty first draft, and so will I. I found it interesting how Anne Lamott delivers her message to the reader, she uses good sense of humor and personal experience. A bowl of homogeneous mixture that contains funny and relatable quotes, and you can get it all in one single spoon. As i read i found this passage very compelling from the page 355 : "The first draft is the child's draft, where you let it all pour out and then let it romp all over the place, Knowing that no one is going to see it and that you can shape it later. You just let this childlike part of you channel whatever voices and visions come through and onto the page". I like this particular passage together with the advice given to her by the hypnotist on page 357 which consists of eliminating all the external distractions and focusing in ourselves in order to express truly. I believe that writing is one of the most powerful form of expression but in order to manipulate this weapon in an efficient way we need to be who we truly are. Humans.
ReplyDeleteI also really enjoyed the article. I agree that one of the hardest parts and most frustrating thing for me in writing is where to start. I also found it very interesting how the author gets her point across using humor and personal experience. I feel like this made it much easier to relate to the writing, and the humor made it a very interesting article that I enjoyed reading.
DeleteSam, I am glad you enjoyed it. I love your last sentence. The thought and beauty of it is fantastic.
DeleteI was surprised at how honest the author was. She did not sugarcoat anything and she used casual language. Usually authors aren't so casual in their writings. I learned that writing is a process. There are steps you have to take before you get to the final product. I also learned that writing is even difficult for those who do it for a living. My favorite line was "We all often feel like we are pulling teeth, even those writers whose prose ends up being the most natural and fluid. The right words and sentences just do not come pouring out like ticker tape most of the
ReplyDeletetime." I liked how the author used examples and humor to show how people feel before they start writing an essay.
I was also surprised how casual the author was. I agree when you say that she doesn't sugarcoat anything, she just tells it how it really is. I really enjoyed how the author used humor to get her point across about her writing as well. I feel like using humor, and being straightforward makes it much easier for the reader to connect with what the author is saying.
DeleteYes, Jailene. Writing is an art. No one is able to just sit down and write perfect prose the first time. I like that this essay focuses on this.
DeleteI really enjoyed the humor it made it an easy read.
DeleteI was surprised how the author wrote the article. She was very upfront with how she explained things. She also did not try to say that things are easy to write. She explained that it is stressful, and she used humor to try to get her points across. I learned that not only students struggle with writing. Even talented writers have really hard times trying to get their writing the way they want, and even then there are still mistakes. I also learned that it is important to have a first draft that you get all of your thoughts down on paper. That way, you can think clearly, and then you can expand on all of your thoughts. On page 356 the author states, "Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere" I like this quote because one of my biggest problems with writing is always where to start. I like the idea of just putting all of my ridiculous thoughts down on paper, and then organizing them and making a draft out of the crazy thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThe use of humor helps make the essay easier for readers to understand and get through. I think it works well that it is not a stiff academic tone.
DeleteWhile reading this essay, I found it very surprising how honest Anne was. She talks about how even the best writers do not always start out with great work, it takes time, editing and multiple drafts to construct a great piece of writing. I was shocked that this is the first time that I've heard the truth behind all good writers, yet It sends a positive message that all good things take time. I learned that all talented writers have a difficult time shaping their work into what they want. The quote I like is "I know some very great writers, writers you love who write beautifully and have made a great deal of money, and not one of them sits down routinely feeling wildly enthusiastic and confident. Not one of them writes elegant first drafts." This quote really puts yourself in their shoes, and builds respect for these talented writers who really have to work hard.
ReplyDeleteI was also surprised that Anne was very honest about how writes do not always start with work that is final draft worthy. She was pretty straight forward and didn't beat around the bush. The quote you chose was also something I liked because, like you mentioned, it really puts yourself in the writers' shoes and sees writing from their perspective.
DeleteIn this essay, I was surprised by the fact there can be as many drafts as you want there to be because there will always be corrections to make. What I learned from this essay is that your first draft does not have to be perfect by any means. The first draft is meant for you to get all your ideas down on paper, then form into something more. One quote I liked was on page 354, “People tend to look at the successful writers, writers who are getting their books published and maybe even doing well financially, and think that they sit down at their desks every morning feeling like a million dollars, feeling great about who they are and how much talent they have and what a great story they have to tell; that they take in a few deep breaths, push back their sleeves, roll their necks a few times to get all the cricks out, and dive in, typing fully formed passages as fast as a court reporter. But this is just the fantasy of the uninitiated.” I really like this quote because it is 100% accurate. Even I do this. People think the story/thoughts in their mind will come out perfectly the first time, which is not true.
ReplyDeleteI like your quote because everyone thinks when they write for the first time, their story comes out amazing and they look too farther into the future when in reality it takes time to have your story become amazing.
DeleteWhile reading this essay, I was surprised that everyone, even great authors and writers, has difficulties with writing first drafts. In my opinion, the first draft is always the hardest because you don't really know what direction you want to go in or how you want to sound. I learned that you can mess up as many times as you want, because drafts are only buffers to the real essays. Like Anne Lamott said, the first draft is the child's draft, and the rest are for revising and polishing. A quote from this essay that caught my attention the most was on page 357, from Anne's hypnotist giving her an exercise: "Close your eyes and get quiet for a minute, until the chatter starts up. Then isolate one of the voices and imagine the person speaking as a mouse. Pick it up by the tail and drop it into a mason jar. Then isolate another voice, pick it up by the tail, drop it in the jar. And so on... Then put the lid on it...". I really liked this quote/exercise because I feel like this technique can help a lot of writers, including myself, if they are struggling with writing a first draft. I know when I begin to write, I get distracted. I think that this would help by pushing away anything that isn't helping with writing.
ReplyDeleteGreat description of the text, i was surprised as well when she mentioned that every good writer have their difficulties when writing. I specially liked the quote that you included because it's really efficient.
DeleteI like how the quote you picked made it seem like meditation.
DeleteWhat I was surprised about this essay was that even the best writers start of writing shitty essays. It shows that they to have to scribble down their thoughts and then organize them in order. I like how the author gives her personal feedback of when she worked for the "California" magazine and had to write the reviews she would panic, say she's gonna get fired and she would go off do other things to relax and would come back and try it again. I was very surprised by this and I was able to learn that all true writers start of crappy but as they progress in each draft it gets better step by step. I also learned that I a not the only one who has a "shitty first essay" to begin with. there are other people who are just like me when it comes to writing, but in the end we write very good essays. I'd like to point out one of the quotes in the book. When the author states that the first draft is known as the child's draft where you throw all of your ideas down on paper. I like when she says " if one of the characters wants to say " Well, so what, Mr. Poopy Pants," you let her.(Lamott 355)" I like how she comes out and says you can write whatever you want because your trying to put your thoughts down on paper and its supposed to be childish, but after more drafts it won't look so childish.
ReplyDeletei liked that quote too because it just shows that you can literally write anything you want and just revise it on the next draft
Delete"For me and most of the other writers I know, writing is not rapturous." I chose this quote from the text because I think this is exactly how I feel when I write anything. I just expect that I'm going to know what to write off the bat. Reading this gave me insight to understanding that everyone goes through the same struggle with getting started regardless of skill level. So many things run through my head at the same time, and my difficulty lies in arranging them in a sensible manner. What this essay ultimately did for me was enforce my need to write everything in my head down, regardless of how "crazy" it seems, then go back later to revise it.
ReplyDeleteI always expect myself to write off the bat but I sit and struggle to even put words on the paper.
DeleteI almost chose this quote too, I can also relate to it as well!
DeleteSidney- it really is a process that has to be worked through. With the work we will be doing this semester you will see just how you can't know what you are going to end up writing about.
DeleteI feel the exact same way that you described whenever I sit down and write a paper. I know bits and pieces of whatever I am writing, but the hard part is arranging them and adding things in a manner in which I can get my point across, and in a manner that would make sense. In my opinion, getting the first sentence or two down on paper is the hardest part.
DeleteI was surprised that writers don't just compose one shitty draft but multiple drafts. I learned that it is okay to just sit down and write what comes to your head then edit it. I would always sit there and struggle to think what to write. " A friend of mine says that the first draft is the down draft- you just get it down. The second draft is the up draft- you fix it up. You try to say what you have to say more accurately. And the third draft is the dental draft, where you check every tooth, to see if it's loose or cramped or decayed, or even, God help us, healthy." I like this quote because it explains that you write the first draft and edit then finalize it. I always just wrote it and edit it. Then I thought it was good.
ReplyDeletei liked this quote too because it kind of gives an outline of what people should be looking for when moving to the next draft
DeleteI forgot about the down and dental draft part - very good quote!
DeleteWhile reading this essay I was surprised most by how even the best of writers can have trouble writing their first drafts just like the rest of us. Explained in this essay the writers with their great talents still can have trouble getting ideas down. Also that it’s nothing like in the movies where I like to think “that they take in a few deep breaths, push back their sleeves, roll their necks a few times to get all the cricks out and dive in, typing fully formed passages as fast as a court reporter.” (354) That’s how I always pictured the great writers in my mind. After this quote it explains how a lot of writers go through a completely different process. But I liked this quote because it shows the ridiculousness thinking a human could do that and that great writers are more like me and that they can’t just sit down and write masterpieces in their first try.
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ReplyDeleteOverall, I think this essay was reallygood. I was surprised that the author wasn't ashamed to say how they write "shitty first drafts" because most authors don't typically say things like this or even make an essay out of it. Something that author said that I really like was "The first draft is the child's draft, where you let it all pour out and then let it romp all over the place, knowing that no one is going to see it and that you can shape it later". This quote was something I really liked because it gives courage to potential writers who think their first drafts are supposed to be perfect.
ReplyDeleteI like the fact that you noticed honesty of the author, and using the quote as reminder how our first draft really matters but it can be really shitty.
DeleteJennilee Robbins
ReplyDeleteWhile reading the essay I was surprised when discovering that even the best of writers at times must create multiple drafts just like we have throughout our years of school. They re-read, they write, they erase and write again. Although it can be frustrating and time consuming, the outcome of an amazing piece is written material in which you created was well worth the wait. This essay shows you that it is okay to make mistakes, it is okay to not always be “perfect”, that is the only way you learn to improve and better your writing skills as well as bettering yourself. One quote that caught my attention was in paragraph 2, the first sentence stating “Very few writers really know what they are doing until they've done it.” I can completely relate to this statement because for me I do my best work when hardly thinking about it. Believe it not, when I allow my brain to relax and start jotting things down as I go I find that it is easier for me than sitting and sending a lot of time planning and organizing my thoughts. I sit there clueless, looking at my computer screen writing complete nonsense. As I type away, a bulb will suddenly go off and what started as me having no clue what to write about will turn into me having too much to say.
I can relate to this statement because I feel the same way. Jotting things down first gets you in the zone and gets you to start thinking about what you can actually write about not just thinking about the random things that are going on in your life and what's not important.
DeleteAs I was reading this essay, I was surprised at the fact that even the best writers struggle at what they are writing about. It never crossed my mind at the fact that these writers have difficulties in writing and It's not just a piece of cake for them. The important thing I learned from this essay was that first drafts don't have to be perfect. Also, I learned that I don't have to waste so much time just writing the first draft. The quote I liked the most was "People tend to think that successful writers take in a few deep breaths push back their sleeves, roll their necks a few times to get all the cricks out, and dive in typing fully formed passages as fast as a court reporter. But this is just the fantasy of the uninitiated." This quotes implies that writing isn't easy it takes a lot of time and effort. Not just for certain people either, it applies to everyone.
ReplyDeleteLauren Moss
ReplyDeleteReading this essay for an assignment for the second time reminded me how far I have come since reading this essay for the first time. The thing that surprised me was the fact the writer went to a hypnotist for tip on her writing process. I've wondered why the writer went to a hypnotist in the first place. What possible made her think that a hypnotist would help, but it did so it wasn't a loss. I'm glad that I got to reread this essay for a second time it reminded that everyone starts out terrible. I loved relearning that even the best of writers start off awful. it just takes a few times to get it right. It's perfectly fine. The quote I choose was " Almost all good writings begins with terrible first starts. You have to start somewhere." I like this quote because it calms me down about writing. When I write I get so worked up about it I cause myself to freak out. Then I remember this quote and I can breathe again. I can get back to the paper and focus with a clear mind.
In this essay I was surprised to learn how professional writers or some professional writers write their first drafts. I originally believed they were naturally gifted in great fluid sentences and extraordinary vocabulary, but to hear that they have awful first drafts to is something else. Writing a first draft that is just all your thoughts could definitely get long and off topic but when I thought about it, it would most likely have at least a few great ideas. I learned to not stress so much about the first draft of an essay and just let myself type to get stuff down. One quote I liked from the essay was, “A friend of mine says that the first draft is the down draft-you just get it done,” because it is something I struggle with most on some of my essays. Sometimes I just can’t come up with a good enough sentence to start or to put down so I get stumped but after reading this essay all you got to do is just write down all your thoughts to compose these kind of sentences.
ReplyDelete1.) Like many others, I was surprised that even the best of writers don't start out being the best. They start out writing less-than-stellar first drafts, just like everyone else. It's their ability to revise their work into great (though still not perfect) final drafts that makes them be regarded as some of the best writers.
ReplyDelete2.) I learned that there is absolutely nothing wrong with writing a bad first draft. It's a completely normal part of the writing process. The first draft really is mainly about the effort. The subsequent drafts are the time to fix basic flaws, such as spelling, punctuation, grammar, and content, as well as more complex issues, such as transitions and fluidity. In other words, one shouldn't stress too much over their first draft.
3.) One quote I like from this essay is, "You need to start somewhere. Start by getting something -- anything -- down on paper." I like this quote because I can completely relate to it. I hardly ever know where to begin when I have to write something. However, it definitely helps to just try and write something down and work off of it.
I like your response to number 3 because I can relate to "starting somewhere. I hardly have a clue as to where to start or what o write about when it comes to writing an essay.
DeleteI completely agree with the idea to start with anything even if it makes no sense, because for me it usually sparks ideas that I begin to work off of.
DeleteThe quote you picked here is what I find most important about this essay in terms of teaching writing.
DeleteBradley Dill
ReplyDelete1. Were you surprised by anything in this essay?
One thing that really surprised me when reading this essay was the author's writing process. I thought exactly what she said, every professional writer just sits down at the computer and spits out a perfect novel. I was surprised to find out this was not the case! This really shows the passion that writers have for their craft and career.
2. What did you learn from this essay?
I learned that it is okay to mess writings up and it is okay to have a horrible first draft. When I write, I usually am trying to be efficient and correct and change as I go. I really was not open to thinking anything else because this worked and why change (not the best thought process).
3. Choose one quote from the essay you like and explain why. Perhaps you like an idea or writing style or language choice.
"Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start
somewhere. Start by getting something -- anything -- down on paper".
I liked this quote in the conclusion because it really summarizes the entire passage. It made me look at my writing style I dragged through all my writing and gave me a new idea to put into practice!
I do the exact same thing! I always try to perfect everything as I go. It's as hough I treat my first draft as my final draft, making corrections and revisions while writing it. Then when I go back and read it through, it sounds ridiculous. This essay definitely changed my outlook on writing.
ReplyDeleteNothing really surprised me about this essay it was pretty blunt and direct and I have heard about this method of writing before. Even though I have heard about this method before I did learn somethings. Even the greatest writers have to make the shittiest drafts. Writing could become better and better no matter how many drafts it has come to. “It’s not like you don’t have a choice, because you do-you can either type or kill yourself.” I think this a great way to motivate yourself not only is it comical, but true in a sense. In most jobs and careers you are going to have to learn how to write. I was a little confused about that reference to that one woman she knew who made the perfect first drafts. I thought this essay was a nice direct read for the most part and easy to follow.
ReplyDeleteI think that I share many people's opinion when I say that I was surprised by how much difficulty most professional writers have when trying to write a book, review, etc. I did not believe that professional writers who have written so much already still do not write great first drafts. I was also surprised by how informal this essay is. It is written like she is talking to her best friend instead of writing an essay for a college text book, but this format makes it easier to understand and more appealing, at least for me. What I learned from this essay is that it is perfectly normal for a first draft to be terrible, and that it can just be a flow of ideas and concepts jotted down on a piece of paper and not a properly formatted essay. A quote that I liked was "Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere. Start by getting something-anything-down on paper. A friend of mine says that the first draft is the down draft-you just get it down. The second draft is the up draft-you fix it up. You try to say what you have to say more accurately. And the third draft is the dental draft, where you check every tooth, to see if it's loose or cramped or decayed, or even, God help us, healthy." I like this quote because, while being comical, it is a simple and easy-to-understand description of how to look at an essay and how to write a great one. I have never looked at writing an essay in this way, but I think that this idea will stick with me and will help me the next time I need to write an essay.
ReplyDelete1. Nothing really surprised me in the article or paper because everyone is expected to correct their drafts and go over them multiple times with an editor. The one thing that was really weird was that some people don't go over them causing them to receive a lot of criticism. I learned that no one is perfect at writing papers and that it takes time to write a masterpiece. The quote which I found interesting was the first draft being a down draft because you are just getting it done. Anything that comes to mind just gets written down.
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