“For me and most of the other writers I know, writing is not rapturous. In fact, the only way I can get anything written at all is to write really, really shitty first drafts.”

— Anne Lamott, “Shitty First Drafts,” Bird By Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life (1995)

Every time I seize up about trying to write something (which is, like, all the time) I am reminded of this chapter. I think it should be required reading for the entire universe. It’s not simply about writing — it’s a good life lesson. No one gets anything “right” the first time around, and it is better to put the idea out there than to have done nothing at all.

I was excited to see someone had posted the first chapter, but I recommend plunking down some dollars for the whole book. It’s enjoyable.