Writing in College

"The ink from a pen of a scholar is worth more than the blood of a martyr"

– Nas

Some gems about writing –
from Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird:

On writing drafts:

"The only way I can get anything written at all is to write really, really [awful] first drafts. The first draft is the child's draft, where you let it all pour out and then let it romp all over the place, knowing that no one is going to see it and that you can shape it later."
She adds that drafts are also helpful because: "You are learning what you aren't writing, and this is helping you to find out what you are writing."
"Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere. Start by getting something--anything--down on paper."

On perfectionism:

"Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and [your writing]." 28
"Perfectionism will ruin your writing, blocking inventiveness and playfulness and life force."

On books and reading:

"...books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are..."
: "Concentrat[ing] on writing itself, on how to become a better writer...is going to help you become a better reader, and that is the real payoff." (page 10)

More to come…