the critics would be sitting on my shoulders, commenting likecartoon characters. They'd be pretending to snore, or rolling their eyes at myoverwrought description
I love how she uses the idea of an angel and demon on the shoulder. I could picture someone sitting at their desk with all the imaginary cartoon friends with exaggerated facial expressions. I got a chuckle from this part.
by then I had been writing for so long, I would eventually let myselftrust the process -- sort of, more or less
This sentence resonates with me. I have gotten to the point that I just type out whatever my response or assignment might be, then go back and fix it. But like she says at the end "sort of, more or less" sometimes my writing process will change slightly.
People tend to look at successful writers whoare getting their books published and maybe even doing well financially and thinkthat they sit down at their desks every morning feeling like a million dollars, feelinggreat about who they are and how much talent they have and what a great story theyhave to tell; that they take in a few deep breaths, push back their sleeves, roll theirnecks a few times to get all the cricks out, and dive in
I like that Lamott points out that successful authors also use this method of writing, and that just because an author is successful, making so much money in sales, doesn't mean they don't struggle with writing. It humanizes people we may idolize due to enjoying their works. It also puts into perspective how long it may actually take to write that 900 page book you've been waiting to be released.
I'd start writing without reining myself in. It was almost just typing, justmaking my fingers move. And the writing would be terrible. I'd write a leadparagraph that was a whole page, even though the entire review could only be threepages long, and then I'd start writing up descriptions of the food, one dish at a time,bird by bird,
I like how she explains finally starting to write. how she writes more or less than needed and then going back later to fix it. I remember learning to just start writing what you're thinking, even if it has nothing to do with the topic you need to write about, eventually, you should get on topic and get it all out.