I found this reading a bit difficult to follow, as I felt it was all over the place, but it has a good message behind it. At one point, Lamott describes writers as not really knowing what they’re doing until they’re done, and I think that applies perfectly to artists. The beginning of artworks that we create are our shitty first drafts- they are designed to be a way to let our ideas out and we go from there. It is easy in art to get caught up in getting the first draft perfect, but we do not really learn that way. First drafts are not necessarily what you will pursue, but gives you the chance to test out ideas and techniques. By not knowing what we are doing, we have the chance to create an opportunity to learn what we can do and what we want to do.

Lamott also discusses the idea of having someone you can go to to “read your drafts” and give feedback. Being able to have someone to go to and discuss what it is that you are doing is of great importance I feel in art making.  The very act of communicating your thoughts to someone else makes you consider what it really is that you are doing. It also creates the opportunity for sharing of ideas and building off of what you have already done to improve it further. The same value can be said in being the person who looks at other people’s works and letting them know how you feel about it. Being put in that kind of situation demands that you become familiar with what you do and do not like, and also requires that you explain the reasons behind it. Being in the position of judging can create a chance for us to learn more about the art being made, and also how we may value what is included in art or what we feel that should be included.