I’m ebarrased to tell you that I resisted this book for years; all I managed to do was deny myself a delight.
Bird by Bird : Some Instructions on Writing and Life is just what the title and subtitle say it is. Anne Lamott has written a charming book that is considered a modern classic.
Writers love it because Lamott lets all the agony, self-doubt and confusion show. We identify with her process and we relish her successes, somehow knowing they can become ours.
The first time I read Bird by Bird, I read it straight through, sometimes laughing, sometimes groaning and sometimes with a tear in my eye. Now I pick it up every now and again, particularly when I need some encouragement or a gentle kick in the behind.
These days I often simply let the book open where it will – full knowing that wherever my eye falls, I’ll find exactly what I need.
Buy the Bird by Bird : Some Instructions on Writing and Life now!
Write well and often,
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I like Bird by Bird — but Writing Down the Bones is my “must re-read annually” book on writing.
Lou, that’s a great one too.
Bird by Bird has always been one of my favorites. Lamott is just so beautifully honest about the process, and that’s been very helpful and inspiring to me.
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Anne, your timing is ESP-like. I ordered this on Thursday of last week.
I’ve heard nothing but good things about it. When writers recommend books, I listen!
Can’t wait to enjoy it.
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Those are two of the best book on writing ever. I just bought Ms. Goldberg’s latest, Old Friend from Far Away but have not started it yet.
This remains my favorite book on writing…such an enjoyable, humorous
yet practical take on the tough task of writing. Thanks for reminding me I need to refer again and often to this useful, inspirational book, if only, as you say, in timely snippets!
In addition to the wonderful “Bird by Bird,” Anne was recorded about a decade ago and “Word by Word” makes a great listen. Annie is funny and insightful.
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I had the luck to be assigned “Bird by Bird” in a journalism class I took in college — I assumed it was going to be just another text book. But I’m still using things I learned from the first read (and reading my copy every so often). I particularly like the idea that I only have to get an inch or two written. That approach has gotten my work done more than once.
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