In Shitty First Drafts by Anne Lamott, Lamott argues that the key to writing is realizing that your first draft is not going to be the best of your writing. She also emphasizes that the first draft does not need to be perfect; instead, it should serve as a starting point for revision. Lamott encourages writers to take self-criticism and simply get their ideas down on paper, highlighting that even accomplished writers have messy first drafts too. This process of writing and starting off with a rough draft during writing allows your creativity to flow without the pressure of perfection.
In Renee Long’s Why I Regret the Idea of Shitty First Drafts, Long presents a counterargument to Lamott’s concept. She believes that “shitty first drafts” can be useless for some writers, especially those who thrive on structure and clarity to begin with. Long supports a more organized approach to writing because she prefers to outline and plan before the drafting process. This helps her feel more confident and focused and gives her a smoother writing experience.
After reading both readings, I have come to the conclusion that I agree with Anne. I believe that everyone starts off with a shitty draft. When I have an idea and type away, I don’t stop; I keep going until I get out of my flow of writing. Once I have stopped writing, I will go over it. I feel as though shitty first drafts always come first. Just like Anne said, shitty drafts create the best writing, especially with some feedback.
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