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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 May 5th 1994)
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Start your review of Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
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 sc ...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.” - Anne 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.
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Ann Lamott's Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life reads like a collection of anecdotes on writing. The book is easy to read and some of the suggestions are worthwhile, especially the advice that inspired the book's title.
I did get a little tired of Lamott complaining about all her students wanting to get published, but I understand her points. More disturbing to me, however, was her advice to students who wanted to write about people from their own life. To dissuade this real per ...more
I did get a little tired of Lamott complaining about all her students wanting to get published, but I understand her points. More disturbing to me, however, was her advice to students who wanted to write about people from their own life. To dissuade this real per ...more
May 06, 2019
☘Misericordia☘ ⚡ϟ⚡⛈⚡☁ ❇️❤❣
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Aspiring writers. Procrastinators.
Shelves:
favorites,
motivation-incarnate
Q:
... 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, which 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 task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother’s shoulder, and said, "Bird by bird, buddy ...more
... 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, which 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 task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother’s shoulder, and said, "Bird by bird, buddy ...more
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.
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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
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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Aug 07, 2008
J
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Any writer
Recommended to J 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 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. ...more
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. ...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 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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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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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
I'm of two minds about this book.
As an autobiography, it's actually quite good, especially the latter half. Lamott is good at talking about her own life in a way that feels genuine and touching, and when she recounts anecdotes she is, for the most part, really engaging.
The problem is that this... isn't an autobiography. It's not even in that weird in-between place that a lot of science writing often is, where stories of discovery are intertwined inextricably with stories of life. This is first a ...more
As an autobiography, it's actually quite good, especially the latter half. Lamott is good at talking about her own life in a way that feels genuine and touching, and when she recounts anecdotes she is, for the most part, really engaging.
The problem is that this... isn't an autobiography. It's not even in that weird in-between place that a lot of science writing often is, where stories of discovery are intertwined inextricably with stories of life. This is first a ...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. ...more
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. ...more
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
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
...more
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
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
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
May 12, 2007
Lisa (not getting friends updates) 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
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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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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
I'm sure the advice in this book will be useful for some, but I couldn't get past the use of a casual jokes trivializing the genocide of Native Americans and mocking autistic children. I'm not interested in learning writing from an author who hasn't progress passed humor and metaphors founded on ignorance and bigotry.
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Very inspirational reread of a book I remember loving many years ago. This time I listened to it in audio. Susan Bennett did such a good job I believed I was listening to Anne Lamott. I love Lamott's authenticity, her personal anecdotes, her humor and her advise. I simply like her. Lamott puts so much of herself into this book that I feel like she is a friend whom I could meet for coffee and just start gabbing about life. I imagine that she has this effect on many of her readers.
I'm not a write ...more
I'm not a write ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Play Book Tag: Bird by Bird/Lamott - 4 stars | 5 | 26 | Feb 11, 2019 04:20PM | |
| Writerly Reads: September Book Discussion | 15 | 74 | Sep 24, 2017 01:06PM | |
| Snippets That Ins...: Glimpses As Scene? | 1 | 3 | May 21, 2016 05:57AM | |
| Mansfield Public ...: The"Bird by Bird" review by Suzanne Dowling | 1 | 25 | Aug 13, 2014 05:00PM | |
| Can anyone find page number of a quote in this book? | 17 | 322 | Apr 25, 2014 01:09PM |
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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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If you want a great book recommendation (or three), here at Goodreads we have a tip for you: Ask an author! Not only are authors very...
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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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