Voices in my head Quote by Anne Lamott
““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. First there's the vinegar-lipped Reader Lady, who says primly, "Well, that's not very interesting, is it?" And there's the emaciated German male who writes these Orwellian memos detailing your thought crimes. And there are your parents, agonizing over your lack of loyalty and discretion; and there's William Burroughs, dozing off or shooting up because he finds you as bold and articulate as a houseplant; and so on. And there are also the dogs: let's not forget the dogs, the dogs in their pen who will surely hurtle and snarl their way out if you ever stop writing, because writing is, for some of us, the latch that keeps the door of the pen closed, keeps those crazy ravenous dogs contained.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, 1994
When drafting, silence inner critics and distractions that sabotage creativity, allowing the writing process to flow.
In simple terms: Quiet inner critics to write.
Key Takeaway
Silence self‑doubt, keep writing.
Themes
creativity
self‑criticism
writing process
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
advice
motivational
When to use this quote
- writing first drafts
- overcoming perfectionism
- daily writing habit
- managing external pressure
Key Concepts
inner critic
mental distraction
creative block
Questions to Reflect On
- What inner voices dominate your drafts?
- How can you turn criticism into constructive feedback?
A Different Perspective
Even quieted, doubts may resurface later, requiring ongoing discipline.
