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Effort Quote by Anne Lamott

“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere. Start by getting something—anything—down on paper. What I’ve learned to do when I sit down to work on a shitty first draft is to quiet the voices in my head.” quote by Anne Lamott
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“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere. Start by getting something—anything—down on paper. What I’ve learned to do when I sit down to work on a shitty first draft is to quiet the voices in my head.”

Anne Lamott

About This Quote

Source Interview: The Art of Writing, 1994

Great work starts messy; you must begin by silencing self‑criticism and just write.

In simple terms: Start messy, then improve.

Key Takeaway

Write anything, ignore inner critic.

Themes

writing creativity process

Mood

motivational practical

Type

advice inspirational

When to use this quote

  • first drafts
  • writing blocks
  • creative projects

Key Concepts

drafting self‑talk

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you quiet your inner critic?
  • What small step can you take now?
A Different Perspective

Perfectionism can stall progress.

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