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Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
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"Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he'd had three months to write. [It] was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the t
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Paperback, 237 pages
Published
September 1st 1995
by Anchor
(first published January 1st 1994)
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There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed. - Ernest HemingwayI have not always felt much like writing. My writer’s block, if that is what it was, and not merely the tardy development of some creative muscles, occupied a large portion of my youth. Writing papers for sch ...more
One writer I know tells me that he sits down every morning and says to himself nicely, “It’s not like you don’t have a choice, because you do—you can either type or kill yourself.” - Ann Lamott
Where I got the book: purchased from Amazon.
Perhaps I'm reading this, one of the writing community's most referred-to books, too late in life. Perhaps as a 20-year-old English major (which I never was) I would have loved this book. That could explain its popularity; it seems like the kind of writing-advice book that will be invariably set as a mandatory read in an MFA program. And that, in turn, could explain why a certain type of writer will, if asked to give writing advice, sound exactly like ...more
Perhaps I'm reading this, one of the writing community's most referred-to books, too late in life. Perhaps as a 20-year-old English major (which I never was) I would have loved this book. That could explain its popularity; it seems like the kind of writing-advice book that will be invariably set as a mandatory read in an MFA program. And that, in turn, could explain why a certain type of writer will, if asked to give writing advice, sound exactly like ...more
I'm getting to the point where I've read a handful of books on the writing life by authors and I found this one to be particularly resonant at this point in my writing career. I actually found myself underlining things that Anne Lamott wrote and thinking, "I need to reread this so that I can absorb its message better."
Perhaps the one thing that I'd like to pass along from her book that I wholeheartedly believe is her assertion that novels should have hope in them. I've spent several years thinki ...more
Perhaps the one thing that I'd like to pass along from her book that I wholeheartedly believe is her assertion that novels should have hope in them. I've spent several years thinki ...more
Ugh. I used to write and then I took some time away from it, and someone suggested this book to me to inspire me. It did exactly the opposite. Lamott makes writing sound like passing a kidney stone, and it doesn't have to be that way.
I love that she doesn’t shy away from the dark stuff, all the shitty feelings, angry rants, and suicidal episodes. I also love that she's funny. Not just amusing, but actually funny. I love that she curses. I love that she can be (and seems to enjoy being) spiteful and sarcastic. I love her and wish I could call her up when I'm feeling miserable. Luckily, I have this book.
Not new-agey, hippie-esque or nearly as self-help guide-like as I feared it would be when I started listening to the audiobook version as read by its author. Anne Lamott's monotone voice set off the "OH NO! SHE'S TRYING TO HYPNOTIZE ME!" alarms in my head, while her occasional allusions to faith had me ready with my own form of holy water (urine) to dash upon any self-righteous pulpits. However, Lamott is more grounded than that, and her dry delivery provides the perfect vehicle for her Tina Fey
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This is a fantastic writing guide!
"Bird by Bird" is one of those books I have been meaning to read for years, and I finally got around to it thanks to the audiobook, which was marvelously performed by Susan Bennett. I think this is the first Anne Lamott work I've read, so I was pleasantly surprised by how funny it was. I laughed out loud several times by her stories of writing, teaching and family life.
I especially appreciated how kind Anne is, and how she truly tried to make an inspiring writi ...more
"Bird by Bird" is one of those books I have been meaning to read for years, and I finally got around to it thanks to the audiobook, which was marvelously performed by Susan Bennett. I think this is the first Anne Lamott work I've read, so I was pleasantly surprised by how funny it was. I laughed out loud several times by her stories of writing, teaching and family life.
I especially appreciated how kind Anne is, and how she truly tried to make an inspiring writi ...more
After so many books about how fun and easy writing can be, it's great to have a book that shows how painful and difficult it really is. Lamott puts a premium on discipline, the discipline of writing every day at a set time and trying hard to get the first draft out, no matter how bad it may be. This message may not be news to most, but along with the added info that neurosis and writing go hand in hand, Lamott is not here to inform, she's here to encourage. She's a real teacher, someone who isn'
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I recommend this book to everyone, writer or not. It is Anne's most classic, I think. You will laugh and maybe even cry.
I pull it off the shelf now and then and read whatever page I land on -- and always find my way back to my own writing.
I pull it off the shelf now and then and read whatever page I land on -- and always find my way back to my own writing.
Aug 07, 2008
Jillian
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Any writer
Recommended to Jillian by:
Janet Evanovich
This was fantastic, and I wrote a million notes. For example:
I love the description of throwing rats in a jar and watching them scratch. This was a tool for the mind to silence distractors in your life that block you from writing. Also having an acre of land with a fence, and if people come in and mess it up-you simply kick them off.
I like the idea of creating a book from characters, and letting the plot follow what the characters desire.
I liked the idea of moving forward bird by bird, (readin ...more
I love the description of throwing rats in a jar and watching them scratch. This was a tool for the mind to silence distractors in your life that block you from writing. Also having an acre of land with a fence, and if people come in and mess it up-you simply kick them off.
I like the idea of creating a book from characters, and letting the plot follow what the characters desire.
I liked the idea of moving forward bird by bird, (readin ...more
I read this to try to understand and learn the craft of writing. With great apprehension, I’m trying to figure out if this is something I want to do. I’ve been a musician and songwriter for many years, so it’s not like it’s a stretch. I think I’m mostly intimidated by the sheer volume of work by so many great writers before me, writers that have given their entire lives to the craft and some sacrificing even more. What do I have to add? Who am I to swagger into the Sistine Chapel readied with pa
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Swell Songs Sung So Well
This little book sings so sweetly. You've probably read in other books some version of the optimism, pointers and warnings that are covered here. Yet, you've probably not read one as practical or as well-written as this.
Anne Lamott's book is a virtuosic "Best of" LP, for writers and other creative artists, from which one may choose among many tracks of anecdotes, experience and hope. It's something you can pull out from time to time to put you on the right track, get you ...more
This little book sings so sweetly. You've probably read in other books some version of the optimism, pointers and warnings that are covered here. Yet, you've probably not read one as practical or as well-written as this.
Anne Lamott's book is a virtuosic "Best of" LP, for writers and other creative artists, from which one may choose among many tracks of anecdotes, experience and hope. It's something you can pull out from time to time to put you on the right track, get you ...more
A surprisingly hysterical book about writing and, as the title implies, life. The hype surrounding Lamott's book is definitely well-earned and I can't wait to read more of her work. Much of her advice on writing is practical and no-nonsense as she addresses the difficulties of writing and getting published.
If I had one complaint it would be that I wasn't as inspired to write by the end of the book as I was to be Anne's (see? I'm already calling her by her first name as if I know her) friend. I ...more
If I had one complaint it would be that I wasn't as inspired to write by the end of the book as I was to be Anne's (see? I'm already calling her by her first name as if I know her) friend. I ...more
Bird by Bird is my new bible. Not just for writing, but for life - it is my favorite work of nonfiction so far. Stephen King's On Writing impressed me, but Anne Lamott's book had me tearing up and laughing at the same time. Her self-deprecating sense of humor and her harsh yet realistic approach to writing won me over. If I could, I would throw this book at every student at my college studying English or Creative Writing. Lamott tackles topics ranging from the neurotic mentality of writing to th
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I didn't enjoy this book, simply because it didn't inspire me to write. I got the strong impression that Ms. Lamott has horrible self-esteem issues, and her overusage of self-deprecating humor really wore on me after the first chapter or two. She didn't give the reader the inspiration to go out and achieve the greatest thing possible in their writing lives, but instead said basically "it's okay to suck, and you shouldn't worry about never getting better." Maybe that's a message some people need
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Bird By Bird is less a book about writing techniques and more a writer speaking to other writers and telling them that it's okay. All of it. All their neuroses and hang ups and setbacks. It's okay. Just take it word by word (bird by bird). I don't think I learned much from it, but just having someone say it's okay to me for two hundred and thirty-seven pages was good. There is some good advice in there about how to start writing a scene you don't know about, how to let your characters develop, h
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This book offered an interesting perspective on life and writing fiction. She was preaching to the converted, however; didn't really open my eyes to anything I wouldn't expect/already know. I happen to think jealousy is the ugliest human emotion. Kudos to her for shamelessly admitting to her shortcomings, but I honestly wanted to close the book during this chapter. I'm glad I toughed it out though because it was decent well-laid out writing advice, nonetheless. Can't hurt for beginners.
Lamott c ...more
Lamott c ...more
I don’t necessarily aspire to write fiction, but I loved this book all the same. Along with step-by-step advice on dialogue, plot, characterization, etc., it has Lamott’s trademark wry observations about living life somewhere between faith and failure.
If you feel compelled to write, write, Lamott urges; “I don’t think you have time to waste not writing because you are afraid you won’t be good enough at it.” Accept that you’ll produce “really shitty first drafts,” and move on from there. At its w ...more
If you feel compelled to write, write, Lamott urges; “I don’t think you have time to waste not writing because you are afraid you won’t be good enough at it.” Accept that you’ll produce “really shitty first drafts,” and move on from there. At its w ...more
Anne Lamott has made me finally feel like it is all going to be okay!
This is less of an instructional guide to the craft of writing and more of an extended pep-talk about living life creatively. This book will not necessarily guide you in how to create stellar characters or how to merge your sub-plot with your main plot-line, but it will aid you in going into your writing endeavors with a more sound mind and a better expectation of what the creative process holds. It is profound, anecdotal and f ...more
This is less of an instructional guide to the craft of writing and more of an extended pep-talk about living life creatively. This book will not necessarily guide you in how to create stellar characters or how to merge your sub-plot with your main plot-line, but it will aid you in going into your writing endeavors with a more sound mind and a better expectation of what the creative process holds. It is profound, anecdotal and f ...more
May 12, 2007
Lisa Vegan
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
writers and readers
This is an enjoyable read and a lovely book. Anne Lamott is a very engaging writer and she is very funny, honest, and heartfelt. Although I don’t desire to be a writer, like most readers I’ve wanted to be a writer at times in my life. I took to heart her advice that at some point one has to decide whether to be a reader or a writer, a choice I’d made but it solidified my decision for me. The “bird by bird” philosophy espoused in this book can apply to all endeavors, not just the one of writing.
when i finished my undergrad, i received 5 copies of this book.
I eventually sold them all for swill.
I eventually sold them all for swill.
It is a great book . Works like guideline and a plan for new writers . It is also inspiring. Especially the "last class" chapter . It was a nice chapter from a great book
I can see why this is a popular book. Lamott is funny, self-deprecating, and encouraging even in the face of cold, hard realities. She means what she says in the title, too. It really does set out to be instructions on writing and life. There are undoubtedly better books covering particulars of the craft, but this may be one of the best at construing a writer’s perspective. I liked her advice about making incremental progress (the meaning of “bird by bird”), about getting something/anything down
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I deeply dislike Anne Lammott and all her idiotic statements on writing. This book was torture to read and I cannot figure out how my English teacher could have possibly assigned it. This woman, with all her lengthy words, does not seem to have any sort of understanding about writing at all.
I'll even use a quote from her own book to explain exactly why this book was so awful:
"One thing I haven't told you about my famous short story 'Arnold' is that besides sending it off every few months to my f ...more
I'll even use a quote from her own book to explain exactly why this book was so awful:
"One thing I haven't told you about my famous short story 'Arnold' is that besides sending it off every few months to my f ...more
This book is like a friend to me. Anne Lamott advises and encourages towards writing as a way of life. She helps the reader understand the various aspects of writing and also in introspecting and finding one's own voice. This is a book that I'm gonna read over and over again. I love it.
#mystrangereading bird by bird by Anne Lamott ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and or is the main obstacle between you and your shitty first draft"
"One of the things that happens when you give yourself permission to start writing is that you start thinking like a writer"
I'm so thankful that my Aunt Robin recommended this book yesterday! How have I missed it? It's such a great encouragement for someone ...more
"Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and or is the main obstacle between you and your shitty first draft"
"One of the things that happens when you give yourself permission to start writing is that you start thinking like a writer"
I'm so thankful that my Aunt Robin recommended this book yesterday! How have I missed it? It's such a great encouragement for someone ...more
OK, now I get it.
I finally understand why so many people LOVE Anne Lamott. It's because of this book, because she is self-deprecating, funny and full of compassionate advice in this book.
She still gets on my nerves, though, especially when she starts talking about God--and she mentions God quite a bit--and her church and her priest friends.
She also has an upper-class life, which always rubs me the wrong way when I pick up on that in a writer's memoir. And when I say "upper-class," I mean the ed ...more
I finally understand why so many people LOVE Anne Lamott. It's because of this book, because she is self-deprecating, funny and full of compassionate advice in this book.
She still gets on my nerves, though, especially when she starts talking about God--and she mentions God quite a bit--and her church and her priest friends.
She also has an upper-class life, which always rubs me the wrong way when I pick up on that in a writer's memoir. And when I say "upper-class," I mean the ed ...more
So with this one I'm going against the grain. I think I understand why this is a writing classic. It has practical advice with a lot of examples and metaphors and analogies to help you understand it. However, it didn't teach me anything. Maybe the lessons it imparts have become so ingrained that the original becomes superfluous.
The writing seemed overwritten to me. The many examples and metaphors and analogies really started to irk me. Tell me in the simplest way. I don't need you to write me m ...more
The writing seemed overwritten to me. The many examples and metaphors and analogies really started to irk me. Tell me in the simplest way. I don't need you to write me m ...more
Mar 22, 2013
Zenmoon
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
People like me who have wished more than once for the paranormal transmission of writing skill
Shelves:
craft-of-writing
There was a time when I used to consume books like this in the hope that I might learn to write through osmosis. What saves this from being just another writing guide is Anne Lamott’s irreverent humour, and self-deprecation. I loved lines like: ‘I worry that Jesus drinks himself to sleep when he hears me talk like this’ . For the most part, however, it's hard to even quote her, since she takes off on long comedic runs of writing tuition. The book is pretty well pitched at the beginning writer bu ...more
"Wonderful book". I read it awhile back when I took a class. (I still own it --and look through often)--
I was inspired when I saw my Goodreads friend here reading it!
NOTE: I still never want to 'write' (as in serious) ---but I feel 'free' to express myself. Anne Lamott' book is filled with wisdom.
I was inspired when I saw my Goodreads friend here reading it!
NOTE: I still never want to 'write' (as in serious) ---but I feel 'free' to express myself. Anne Lamott' book is filled with wisdom.
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| Can anyone find page number of a quote in this book? | 17 | 297 | Apr 25, 2014 01:09PM |
Anne Lamott is an author of several novels and works of non-fiction. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, her non-fiction works are largely autobiographical, with strong doses of self-deprecating humor and covering such subjects as alcoholism, single motherhood, and Christianity. She appeals to her fans because of her sense of humor, her deeply felt insights, and her outspoken views on topics such
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“For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die.”
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“Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft. I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won't have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that a lot of people who aren't even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you, and have a lot more fun while they're doing it.”
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