Writing with AI: The Power of the Smarmy First Draft

By Allison K Williams

“Shitty first drafts,” says Anne Lamott, “are how writers end up with good second drafts and terrific third drafts.”

Alexandra O’Connell calls it the Ugly Duckling Draft. Austin Kleon, The Down Draft (just get it down). In Seven Drafts, I call it The Vomit Draft, but also quote Jenny Elder Moke, “y’all quit calling your first drafts garbage. What you’ve got there is a Grocery Draft. Put everything you bought on the counter and figure out what’s for dinner.”

My ...