This week’s readings were all about first drafts, revisions, and how different authors use different strategies to get to the final draft. First drafts are a necessary part of the writing process, and while the readings "Shitty First Drafts," by Anne Lamott and "Rethinking the Shitty First Draft," by George Dila are just about opposites, the one thing they both agree on is that you need a first draft, and no matter how good it is, you will end up revising that first draft multiple times. That philosophy applies just about everywhere: English papers, resumes, and even this blog post. As annoying as it can be to write something you know you will end up changing in the future, it is necessary. It will be an especially helpful part of the writing process throughout the advocacy project, and in the end can only make a good paper better and more effective.

While I find the metaphor George Dila uses to be somewhat extreme, it does make sense. If I were to build a house, but forget the electrical wiring, what was the point of building the house in the first place? Dila says the house would be “so shitty it would probably be easier to tear it down and start over, maybe a little more carefully the next time.” Oftentimes I find myself writing more like Dila says he does. However, sometimes it is necessary to just get everything out so you can tell what direction you need to go. Starting a large project is daunting. Oftentimes, it can be a struggle just to begin. Getting words on paper, no matter how awful you know it is, can sometimes the place to start Like Anne Lamott says, “The first draft is just the down draft—you just get it down.” Its only after you have something that you can fix it and make it better.

Praxis brings up some good tips to writing and revising. For example, at times I can forget to just “keep it simple,” which is the first tip Praxis gives. It is outrageously easy to blather on and on about a topic, especially when there is a word count requirement. This goes hand in hand with the advice to “use precise words.”

Overall, this week’s readings are meant to help prepare us for the advocacy project we are about to begin drafting.