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Shitty first drafts: my favorite writing advice

July 17, 2023July 14, 2023 by Andy Dehnart

A wood desktop containing a stack of books with a pencil cup on top, and an open Macbook laptop. The screen is yellow and has a large poop emoji on it.

Anne Lamott’s chapter in Bird by Bird about the value of “Shitty First Drafts” is writing advice that I keep returning to—and keep forgetting!

about this blog

Hi, I'm Andy! I've been writing on the Internet since 1997: as a blogger, TV critic, creative writer, essayist, and journalist.

In these pages, I share tips, tools, and whatever I can to help other people who write online.

Learn more about me, find out how to work with me, or contact me!

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recent comments

Andy Dehnart on Shitty first drafts: my favorite writing adviceAugust 30, 2023
You're most welcome! Have you written anything shitty yet? 😃
Steve on Shitty first drafts: my favorite writing adviceAugust 16, 2023
Love this advice! I've had some ideas for a book or two stewing in my brain for ages, but I…