The Female Writers

Anne Lamott’s “Shitty First Drafts” essay strongly stresses the importance of just getting anything down on paper no matter how stupid or drawn out it is. She also explains that writing is an ongoing process and is constantly in need of change. Although we think great writers just write their novels successfully in one day, they go through the steps just as everyone else does with little certainty or confidence. Lorrie Moore’s “How to Become a Writer” is written as more of a story line that tells you you’re allowed to be funny and seem crazy in order to write. It also makes me feel like I can relate to and imagine myself as Francie by the way she tells the story, kind of stating what you should do.  In Gail Godwin’s “The Watcher at the Gates” she says that she likes to be a “neat” writer. The concept of her essay is to find the demon inside of you that stops you when you’re writing and to compromise with it and slowly be able to block it out. Lamott and Godwin’s essays are very similar in the sense of being able to bottle up the things in your mind that distract you from reaching your ultimate goal of completing your writing. Lamott’s method is to kind of torture the voices in her head with the sound proof jar and watch them struggle to try to get to her. Godwin’s tactic leans more towards tricking the “watcher” and trying to, as Godwin says, “Outsmart, pacify or coexist” with it so you can write more successfully. They both worry about making a fool of themselves and the possibility of failure, while Moore’s essay is about being very carefree and following your instincts. Moore and Lamott’s essays are similar with their concept of just going out on a whim and letting what comes to mind that second be said or written. They both have a kind of sarcastic sense of humor in their essays that allows you to understand the feelings they have. All of the essays are very different, yet similar in their own ways, and they all speak to me. Lamott’s essay helped me to realize that writing takes time and it is important to get all of your thoughts out no matter how confusing they appear in the beginning because eventually it will all come together and make sense. Moore’s essay taught me to follow your instincts and do what you like; you’re allowed to be rebellious. Godwin’s essay gave me great tips on how to compromise with the inner critic that is standing in your way.