SWA

“Shitty First Drafts”

       In the essay “Shity First Drafts”, Anne Lamott depicts the process of writing first drafts. She talks about the several steps she goes through to come up with her final published works. First Lamott speaks on what she believes in, and gives a short description of her thoughts and personal life. She then moves on to what I believe is her thesis and is set to begin her “shitty” first drafts. She starts off with what she calls a “child’s draft” which is her first five pages that consists mainly of brainstorming. With the thought in mind that no one is going to see this “child’s draft”, she gives herself the ability to write whatever comes to mind. As a writer, she has the fear of someone getting a hold of this first draft before she is able to revise. Lamott gives a really good visual of her process, stating that at first it would simply be just typing and making her fingers move. Then after crossing out lines and phrases that she could do without, she would begin a second draft.