Blog Post TWO

( Shitty Firsts Drafts by Anne Lamott)

Though my number of school years I have never been a strong writer (which may have to do with my inability to sit in one place with no movement). I was able to visualize the message I wanted to get a cross but had no idea the words to write down to portray that message. At a young age my mom signed me up for dance classes in hopes of easing my ADHD. Through the years I’ve realized that dancing is my way to portray the message, not by words but by movement. Dancers do the same thing with creating first draft, second and ending with a third and complete story. You start by simple improvisation and letting the music move you, then you start to connect and choreograph and you end with a whole dance that connects to every click and tick in the music while portraying a strong message to the audience. Over countless years the process gets easier every time. You learn to take risks and do what is borderline uncomfortable. Writers and dancers are similar in many ways. We strive for critiques and want an emotional connection with our audiences. Artist want people to feel something through their art, whatever that medium may be. I’ve learned to connect my movement and writing my essays through the means of dance. Over time I have learned that you must write a ‘shitty’ draft to come up with what you think is the best version of your art as possible.