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85 out of 88 people (96%) think this is worth consuming…

0385480016
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
by Anne Lamott
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14 entries have been written about this.

Shannon
Hillsborough

A review of this — 42 weeks ago

WORTH CONSUMING!

I decided to reread Anne Lamott’s treatise on writing, Bird by Bird, because I was looking for some inspiration to jump-start my own creative life, and I got it. The underlying messages are:

Everything is OK.
Do it [writing, creating, whatever] because it’s fun, it’s personally satisfying, it helps you and heals you.
Don’t bother being perfect.

These are things I desperately need to hear, probably more than once.

http://shannonturlington.com

Sonja Foust
Durham

Speaks to the heart, without annoying fluffiness. — 2 years ago

WORTH CONSUMING!

Most of the time, How To Write books are either reeeeally touchy feely, or completely technical. I get annoyed about books like that because writing is a combination of both. So I wasn’t convinced I’d much care for this book, which leans toward the touchy feely. I was NOT expecting to find touchy-feely with a hint of tough love.

I enjoyed it very much. Lamott manages to inspire without fist-pumping theatrics or lies about the publishing business. Instead, she offers humorous, straight-forward, sometimes tough-love advice aimed at helping you get over yourself and get on to your writing. If you’re in a rut, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. It helped me immensely.

Kiri Wagstaff
Monrovia

A review of this — 2 years ago

WORTH CONSUMING!

This is a great book with some great advice, offered in a conversational, chummy fashion. Anne Lamott repeatedly addresses some of the psychological barriers to writing, such as writer’s block, low self-confidence, insecurity, etc. She has specific advice on how to get past these things and get going, such as managing the impulse towards perfectionism, using a memory to get you started, focusing on writing about only what will fit in a one-inch picture frame, etc. I found her sections on specific writing issues, such as characters, plot, and dialogue, to be the most useful.

Here’s a great quote from the book:
“Writing is about hypnotizing yourself into believing in yourself getting some work done, then unhypnotizing yourself and going over the material coldly.”

And another of my favorites:
“A writer paradoxically seeks the truth and tells lies every step of the way.”

Jim Carson
Bellevue

Why I recommend this — 2 years ago

WORTH CONSUMING!

It’s great reading, with down-to-earth observations and humor on uncorking the creativity within you (but not in a way that just adds more pressure, counteracting this).

I intend to reread it before NaNoWriMo 2006.

Charlie
Philadelphia

Why I want to consume this — 3 years ago

Because Stephanie thought I should read it. I have always liked Anne Lamott, and I want to write more, so I figured “have at it!”

SwampOpheliaGrl
Fairfield

A story about this — 3 years ago

WORTH CONSUMING!

This is one of my favorite books on writing (and life). I especially like the advice about writing a novel being compared to driving in the dark – you can only see what your headlight illuminate right in front of you, but you can make the whole trip that way. All of Anne Lamott’s non-fiction books are refreshing and honest.

Stephanie
Seattle

A story about this — 3 years ago

WORTH CONSUMING!

One of my favorite pieces of advice in life, from this book is “Don’t compare your insides to other people’s outsides”.

Stephanie
Seattle

Why I recommend this — 3 years ago

WORTH CONSUMING!

It give good advice on both writing and life. I like this ladies philosophies. I love the honesty of her writing. My favorite chapter is Sh**ty First Drafts. A definate read and reread.

Junicus
Toronto

A story about this — 4 years ago

WORTH CONSUMING!

I’ve been wanting to read this for a while.

Halsted Bernard
San Francisco

A story about this — 4 years ago

WORTH CONSUMING!

A gift from my mother. So far it’s lovely.

Kelly
Austin

A story about this — 4 years ago

I highly recommend this book to anyone who’s ever wanted to write. I read it all the way through in just a few days, but I will definitely be going back to it and re-reading various parts so that they really sink in!

Crystal
Boston

A story about this — 5 years ago

I confess, I haven’t yet read this book, which is odd considering that I own a million books for writers. Well, maybe dozens. I’m kicking myself for not getting it sooner.

James McNally
Toronto

A story about this — 6 years ago

A book for writers from the author of Traveling Mercies. Just as funny, but not quite as moving, for obvious reasons.

donna
Cleveland

A story about this — 6 years ago

This is my favorite book about writing, period.


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