Why do people have first drafts and why do some people not? and why do people judge others writing style? I can agree with both authors. You don’t necessarily have to write something and it immediately comes out perfect. The purpose of a first draft is to write down ideas and allowing yourself to structure out your main points without worrying about perfect grammar or style. Anne lamott explained that it’s a way for your child like side to come out, and I completely agree. Drafts aren’t something you need to put your entire thoughts and focus on because it’s basically practicing writing. You write down whatever it is you want to write and you know it’s not going to come out great but it doesn’t matter, called a first draft for a reason.
Most writers out there have a bunch of drafts but it doesn’t mean that they aren’t good writers or shouldn’t be one at all. Drafts help you reserve ideas to use as a reference for later, getting feedback from others to let you know what you need to add, take away, or fix , and etc. George Dila has a point also because first drafts don’t always come out shitty, actually, most people first draft is there ONLY draft. You can write and it can come out great especially if you get clarity from other writers or readers. Just because you don’t have a rough first draft does not mean you are not a writer and if that’s the case then maybe no one should be a writer. Everyone has a strategy that works for them, like Dila said, “if it works for you to pour it all out, pour away. If you can’t write that way, don’t try. And by all means don’t feel guilty about it.” No one should feel bad for the way they write and they certainly don’t have to follow after someone else’s writing style. Some people have first drafts, some don’t, and that’s ok.
Everyone writes in a particular way that is comfortable for them even if they mess up a thousand times, writing doesn’t always have to be perfect on the first try. Your mess doesn’t make you a bad writer, not having a first draft doesn’t make you a bad writer. Anyone can write, they can write as a hobby or as an actual author who wants their writing to be known. As long as you have good research and thorough understanding, you’re a good writer. Realistically, there are some writers who weren’t known until someone has read their writing and was so impressed by it that they told them they should be a writer and actually publish books/novels. If you can write, comprehend what you’re writing, and make your writings make sense, then to me you’re considered a writer. You don’t have to copy others with the way they write, find your style and write.
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