dialectical notebook: Lamott, King, Diaz

Junot Diaz: Becoming a Writer

Response	Quotation
I agree with this quote. I believe that to be a good writer you have keep working and never give up.	"In my view a writer is a writer because even when there is no hope, even when nothing you do shows any sign of promise, you keep writing anyway" (320).
I feel like everyone goes through this at least one time when you have been writing. It has definitely happened to me and I felt like nothing I was writing made any sense. It is important to keep on trying though because that’s what a good writer does.	“Nothing past page 75 made any kind of sense. Nothing.”(319).

Stephen King: What Writing Is
 

Response	Quotation
Having a favorite place to read where you feel comfortable is a good place to go to get the most work done. I have learned this through experience and I completely agree with what King is saying.	“So I read where I can, but I have a favorite place and probably you do, too-a place where the light is good and the vibe is usually strong”(306).
I like this quote because I think King makes a good point about taking writing seriously. If you don’t take it seriously there is nothing he can do for you.	“But it’s writing, damn it, not washing the car or putting on eyeliner. If you can take it seriously, we can do business. If you can’t or won’t, it’s time for you to close the book and do something else”(307).

 Anne Lamott: Shitty First Drafts

Response	Quotation
I like this quote because it makes me feel better to know that no one gets it right the first time. Writing takes time and no one is perfect.	"I know some very great writers, writers you love who write beautifully and have made a great deal of money, and not one of them sits down routinely feeling wildly enthusiastic and confident.  Not one of them writes elegant first drafts.  All right, one of them does, but we do not like her very much" (301).
I can also relate to this quote because when I first write an essay it sometimes doesn’t make sense and I end up rewriting it a lot. I now know that it is okay to just write down whatever comes to your mind first because you have to start with something.	“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere. Start by getting something-anything-down on paper.” (pg. 303)