Anne Lamott’s essay “Shitty First Drafts” in Bird by Bird offers a liberating approach to writing. Lamott argues that every good piece of writing starts with an imperfect, often disorganized first draft. She encourages writers to let go of self-criticism and get words on the page, even if they don’t fully make sense or seem off-topic. Her analogy of a “child’s draft” emphasizes that the first draft is a playground for ideas, allowing writers to make mistakes and explore without fear. For Lamott, the messy, unfiltered flow of thoughts is essential because it breaks down the barriers that perfectionism imposes, allowing creativity to emerge. Lamott believes that true clarity and depth can be shaped in subsequent drafts by permitting herself- and encouraging others- to write badly at first.
In contrast, George Dila’s Rethinking the Shitty First Draft brings a more disciplined perspective to drafting. While he doesn’t disagree with the importance of first drafts, he advocates for a more intentional approach. Dila suggests that writers should begin with some sense of purpose and direction, even in the early stages. He believes an entirely chaotic first draft might waste time and lead to frustration. For Dila, a balance between structure and freedom can help writers maintain focus while nurturing creativity. This approach, he argues, saves time by building a foundation for more precise revisions, keeping the draft messy but not entirely unrestrained.
Together, Lamott and Dila provide complementary views on the writing process. Lamott’s method allows writers to release inhibitions and engage with ideas without overthinking, while Dila’s perspective encourages mindful exploration. Both approaches reveal the complexity and flexibility of the drafting process, showing that first drafts don’t need to fit one specific mold. Whether through Lamott’s carefree messiness or Dila’s purposeful structure, writers are free to develop their drafting style, balancing creativity with clarity.
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