'Shitty First Draft' Reflection by Hira Devi Lama

2025-10-16 21:35:17 UTC

The idea that our work doesn’t need to be perfect at first stood out to me. Facing a blank page is scary and overwhelming because it’s hard to get started. Having something written, even if it’s bad, can help us come up with the final version of our writing. Lamott’s idea can help me start writing my first draft of my autoethnography.

2025-10-16 21:35:33 UTC

1: I thought the whole idea of writing and revising was great because the message of just writing freely and then being able to go back a revise is one I often forget.

2:usually boredom or confusion. I procrastinate so the hardest thing is to sit still and think.

3:Lamott encouraged me to just sit down and write about my story and know that no one will see it so I can write however poorly I want.

2025-10-16 21:36:40 UTC

An idea from Shitty First Drafts that stood out to me was that it’s okay to feel frustration and self-doubt, as that’s part of the writing process to create your best piece of writing. When I feel blank I take a break to brainstorm and then go right back at my assignment.

Lamotts idea is an inspiring way for us to keep writing, even when we feel stuck.

2025-10-16 21:36:45 UTC

The idea that stood out to me the most from “Shitty First Drafts” is that producing imperfect initial drafts is necessary as a writer. Usually, I feel a little frustrated when I face a blank page as I normally don’t know what to write, and even if I do know what to write, I don’t know how to articulate it well enough to meet my own standards. I think Lamott’s overall idea is that writers should embrace the messy first stage and shitty first drafts that are produced, so, in my writing today, I think I’ll start my first draft without being judgmental about it.

2025-10-16 21:36:53 UTC

The idea that stood out the most was that first drafts are about freedom and not perfection. I feel dread when I look at a blank page, but that starts to fade as I begin writing. Her ideas could help me today by allowing me to not focus on making my first draft perfect, but instead just focus on getting my ideas down on the page

2025-10-16 21:37:31 UTC

What stood out to me the most was that it’s ok to not have an amazing first draft. When I have a blank page I normally struggle to write because I feel like it needs to be perfect. Lamont’s idea will help me today because I know I should just start writing even if it’s bad because I can fix it and revise it later.

2025-10-16 21:37:45 UTC

The line “I’d try to write a lead, but instead I’d write a couple of dreadful sentences, XX everything out, and then feel despair” stuck out to me because i fell like it perfectly capture the feeling of writing a paper on something you are not passionate about. When I have a blank sheet of paper and am forced to write a paper on something I am not interested in, it feels like a bunch of rusty gears turning. It gets the job done but not the best, and at the cost of loud cranks and screeches.

2025-10-16 21:38:16 UTC

The line near the end, how the first draft is the down draft and the second is the up draft.
I feel like I don’t know where to start.
I think it will help me with making a first draft, and with turning a first draft into a second draft

2025-10-16 21:38:24 UTC

“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere.”

These lines stood out to me the most since it states that there is nothing wrong with having terrible beginnings as beginning it is much better than getting it wrong.

I face confusion and a feeling to fill out the page.

It helps me realise that I do not need to be perfect I just need to begin somewhere.

2025-10-16 21:38:57 UTC

The line that stood out to me the most was “ Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts.” I chose this line because it gives reassurance that good writing can come from rough starts.
I feel frustrated when I face a blank page.
Lamott’s will help me start writing by allowing my ideas to just flow and not worry too much about writing good and perfect when first starting with a draft.

2025-10-16 21:39:43 UTC

A line/idea that stood out to me was where she talked about how alot of people think authors wake up with million dollar ideas. It kinda helped me relate to them since i struggle to come up with ideas of what to write about.
When I face a blank page I tend to feel annoyed because nothing comes to mind and i just want to get the assignment over with
I think lamott helped me think of the first draft as just a set of unstructured ideas then from there turn it into a second draft

2025-10-16 21:39:44 UTC

1) the idea where Lamott explains that writing is not a glamarous or confident act. 2) when i face a blank pace i usually am feeling more creative as its a fresh stat and blank canvas. Similar to the fist idea, having the mindset that the writing process isnt going to be perfect all the time. So just keep writting.

2025-10-16 21:39:55 UTC

"Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts"
I chose this like because it shows that nothing is supposed to come easy on the first try even for those who are the best.
I usually get writers block. For me, it's hard to just start writing and focus on one idea
It will help me just start putting random words together and sentences and seeing where it goes. It lets me avoid following one central theme or idea.

2025-10-16 21:40:41 UTC

The line that stood out to me was when Lammot said "I'd try to write a lead, but instead I'd write a couple of dreadful sentences, XX them out, try again, XX everything out, and then feel despair and worry settle on my chest." That sentence stood out to me because I related to it. I would also do that technique when I would write. When I look at a blank page I usually think and stay in my thoughts not sure of what to write. Once I start an idea then I expand on it and keep writing. I like lammots idea and it would help me start writing and to keep writing then I can fix it up afterwards once the idea is on the paper.

2025-10-16 21:41:19 UTC

what stood out to me is that it's fine to feel bad, frustration and hesitated, it's normal when you are facing a blank page.

2025-10-16 21:41:22 UTC

the line of “it was almost just typing, just making my fingers move” stands out to me. I can deeply relate to the situation where I am typing dreadful words and crossing them out. I have almost used the same method as the author. I will just continue on, and come back to revise later. When I’m facing a blank page, I always feel overwhelmed. I can just continue yang this method today. I will type things, even I’m not happy with them. A draft is better than none.