No draft is perfect, and that’s okay. The first draft is where the real journey begins, and the messiness is a natural part of the process. I embraced the imperfection as an opportunity to discover new angles and insights.
Writing this memoir reminded me of the countless rewrites in journalism — the process of refining, clarifying, and shaping the story. With each revision, the narrative became sharper and more personal.
For new writers, I offer this advice: give yourself permission to write badly at first. It’s only through writing that the story takes shape.