Shitty First Drafts
This reading helped me realize how little time I actually spend thinking and "drafting" before I do things, especially when I write. I think the reason I usually skip drafting is because I pre-write well enough that I do not need to fully flesh out my ideas before the final writing. The idea of "brilliance in [my] second and third drafts" does intrigue me though. It makes me wonder how much better my writing, as well as other things, would be if I spent more time coming up with my ideas. It makes me hopeful knowing that all the great writers write multiple drafts before publishing. Even the best writers go from stiff writing to fluid, beautiful prose. That makes me feel way better but I still hesitate to spend the extra time on more than one draft. I would have to be in a very positive head space to not go crazy writing the same ideas over and over. I am such a perfectionist that if I do write something, I would rather write is almost perfectly the first time and fix it, if it needed fixing, when I type it. A shitty first draft would drive me insane. This passage made me think, but I do not think that it changed my mind about how I choose to write. If I have to write first and second drafts for class, I will, but I cannot say I will enjoy the experience.
I have always felt the same exact way! I'll come up with an outline maybe, and have notes and research on what I am about to write, and I'll consider it in my head as I'm writing. I too would rather fix up the intro paragraph right after I write it, than have to move on from something I know is bad and continue writing purposefully bad stuff. I would suggest maybe if ever in a really tough moment of writer's block, that jotting down bits and pieces of what you want to say will allow a fully developed essay to grow from that "shitty first draft" of sorts.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this and the first comment. When writing for school I'd rather just outline first, instead of writing several drafts. I'm willing to try writing several drafts but that seems more geared to creative writing instead of academic writing. I do like that we have the ability to utilize this option if we encounter writers block. It's nice to know that even the best writers struggle to write good pieces at first.
ReplyDeleteI think I may be in the minority based on this post and the comments. I usually didn't outline anything, instead just typing as a thought up what to say and refining it further. Like the others and yourself, I'm glad to see that even professionals struggle with their writing and drafts. I truthfully don't have any solution to writers block besides take a break and come back to it later.
ReplyDeleteI would actually disagree to your statement, I also only like writing good essays straight off the back and editing it from there. However when doing so writers block is very imminent and happens quite often. I believe if we were to write with multiple drafts, it may end or at a minimum lessen the affects of writers block for most individuals.
ReplyDeleteHi Tamara
ReplyDeleteYour perspective is very interesting. It should like that you don't write first drafts because you substitute it with pre-writing processes to the point that by the time you finish your re-writing, you already have all the ideas in your mind. It might be interesting to you to challenge your perfectionism and attempt to finish a first draft before it's perfect. It might be a good different experience for you.