As i was reading Anne Lamott’s article, “Shitty First Drafts,” i truly felt a sigh of relief. I was one who felt that most successful and talented writers have the ability to bang out essays and literature as if they were angry  rebuttals to facebook trolls. I always had this sense that my writing abilities were a bit subpar because it would always take me “hours” to even come up with something even close to what my old highschool teacher (who got fired) would say “medicore.” Only god knows whether it’s my occasional lack of motivation, inability to focus on a given task for a long time, or OCD approach to writing? In my opinion it’s the “OCD”, but what do i know. By an OCD approach to writing, i meant that i always proof-read my work as i go; doing the editing and writing simultaneously. Although i admit it’s a bad habit, i just can’t physically keep writing when i mentally know what i’ve already written needs editing.

Another dark and horrifying writing secret of mine is that i don’t really do so called “drafts.” I can already hear some of you screaming, “WHAT?? THAT’S PREPOSTEROUS!?!?!?!” Hopefully most of you fellow classmates could still look at me the same way after reading this, but yes I honestly don’t do first drafts. My writing method consists more of editing during the frequent pauses i take when i run out of ideas and then a final edit where i make all the finishing touches to the paper before hitting the print button. I know my technique is contrary to Lamott’s way, and i truly believe her’s is definitely more helpful. I will consider reforming my method of writing for this upcoming paper about rhetorical analysis.

As Lamott stated, “Very few writers really know what they are doing until they have done it.” One of the most relatable quotes to my life. It’s just not my style to plan things ahead of time, it would only inhibit my thoughts; the writing takes shape as i go. I’ll still take Lamott’s advice to heart and attempt to utilize first and second drafts when i write formal papers.