Blog Post #2.5

While the guides from the UNC Writing Center did not phase me, the passages by Anne Lamott and Annelise R. Schantz surprised me. Lamott claims that “not one of (the writers you love) writes elegant first drafts.” This quote really made me think about all stories I have heard about famous writers. For example, J. R. R. Tolkien wrote the first line of The Hobbit while he was grading a student’s paper. In my mind, I’d always thought that he penned out the entire first chapter on that paper and only added minor revisions, but a story like that doesn’t really make much sense. There is no way that Tolkien, great writer that he was, could have written a perfect first chapter. He must have been just as lost as the rest of us during first drafts.

Schantz advises finding a calming distraction, something that will take your mind off writing, but help your focus. I was surprised that she used Tetris to improve her concentration, as I have struggled with distracting video games in the past. I may need to find a new hobby that can help me focus. I might try listening to relaxing music beforehand to calm down and breathe a little.

The only characteristic of good writers that seem to overlap with these two readings is the idea that writers are always learning. Whether this learning comes from a first draft or the time in between writing, you are always learning. The UNC Writing Center guides validate some of the characteristics of good writing: flow, a proper structure, and clarity.

The passages by Lamott and Schantz challenge the idea that writers have to be writing constantly, even if it’s in their own heads. Lamott urges that you take a break between your “shitty first draft” and your second one, and Schantz wants you to find a peaceful activity to better your focus. It’s better that you spend a little time on genuinely good writing, than a lot of time on awful writing.

Song of the Day

all i can do is keep breathing / all we can do is keep breathing now