9/6/2016 0 Comments My Writing ProcessBlog Post #2 The “Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on writing and life” By Anne Lamott written in 1994, was about the writing process of a writer. The article walks about how writers’ gets side tracked during their writing and how to cope with it. She also talks about how shitty drafts are crucial to the writing process. Lastly, she explains the benefits of having someone else read those shitty drafts you write and giving you important feedback.
Anne Lamott explains how even she gets sides tracks from writing. For a moment she lets her mind wander. She starts to think about learning how to do her makeup better, who she needs to call back, even thinks about someone whose been annoying her lately. Which makes me feel like I’m not alone when it comes to procrastinating. All of these thoughts she has about her everyday life comes rushing into her mind. She explains how she gets back on track by breathing slowly and calmly. Its easy to get sidetracked by your thoughts when your dreading writing a long piece of writing. Anne explains how thinking of a one inch picture frame. Only write down only as much as you can fit on that one picture frame. Write that one paragraph that describes the main character from the first time we meet her when she walks through the front door, rather than the expression on her face when she first sees the blind dog sitting behind the wheel of her car. Only what you see through that one-inch picture frame. My favorite saying from the passage is “bird by bird” which means take it one step at a time. I find comfort in this because being a student I know the feeling of being overwhelmed with projects and essays due and this saying with help me get through it all, bird by bird. Another example of how she explains the writers’ process is having shitty first drafts. This is a vital step to the process because this is how a writer will come up with and great 2nd draft and an even better 3rd draft. She explains that even though its not your best work, you might be able find a few beautiful lines inside them that are your own raw thoughts that you might not have wrote if you were thinking too much about the writing. A shitty draft gives you the freedom to jot down what’s floating inside your mind and putting it to paper without thinking too much about it. The beauty about your first shitty drafts is that no one else will see it besides you. This will help you sort through the good and bad parts of the writing and come up with an even better second draft. Lastly, Anne talks about the importance of having someone else read your drafts. She tells her students to consider finding someone who would not mind reading them and marking them up with useful suggestions. A family member or a good friend is always a good option just as long as they are giving you good honest critiques instead of trying to avoid hurting your feelings. They can help you look at different outlooks of the writings your doing. For example, she says that they’re probably a number of ways to tell your story right, and someone else may be able to tell you whether you’ve found one of these ways. Also, having someone read your draft can make you feel more secure and connected that you’re on the right path. Anne also explains how criticism is very hard to take sometimes but at the same time its better to hear it from your loved ones rather than an agent or an editor. Anne labott has given me lots of help for my own future writing process. I have learned that everybody gets side tracked and procrastinates. She has taught me how to deal with it better by taking it bird by bird; one step at a time. I’ve also learned that shitty drafts are indeed very important. I’ll eventually turn that shitty drafted into a beautiful piece of work. Lastly, Anne Labott has taught me that asking for help with my writing can help me feel me confident about my writing and take the criticism.
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