"Writing a first draft is very much like watching a Polaroid develop. You can't—and, in fact, you're not supposed to—know exactly what the picture is going to look like until it has finished developing. First you just point at what has your attention and take the picture."Source: Lamott, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life (1994)
—Anne Lamott
(For those who are too young to recall the significance of Polaroid photography, please click here.)
5 comments:
I agree - that's a great analogy. In our digital age, that quote will be relevant to only the older among us.
This quote came at just the right time, since I'm about to finish the first (underdeveloped) draft of my memoir. Thanks, Erika!
Excellent quote that I am (sigh) old enough to understand . . .
One of my favorite books. Thanks for the reminder I need to re-read it.
Another great piece of advice from Ann Lamott and her fabulous Bird by Bird !
Glad you are feeling better, Erika.
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