Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

by Anne Lamott

All I know is that if I sit there long enough, something will happen.

“Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.”

Very few writers really know what they are doing until they’ve done it.

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.