I don’t think I’ve ever sat down and read straight through a book of writing exercises. And, at a very basic level, that’s what “What It Is” is. And I sat down and read through the whole thing, while taking time to digest it. It’s about writing, drawing, images, memory, creativity, a magic cephalopod, and Lynda Barry’s life. All done on a yellow legal pad of paper.

This is a great book for anyone who’s ever felt stuck writing or drawing (or just in the creative process). Barry’s collage work in the first half of the book gets you to ask yourself questions about imagery and memory. The second half has writing exercises and tips for how to make more for yourself. They’re excellent and I can’t wait to start using them. It’s also probably the only time I’ll ever cry over instructions for a writing exercise.

If there’s anything that takes away from the book, it’s that I wanted to see more about Barry’s life. The short passages about her childhood and education are very interesting, but take up only a small portion of the book. It’s somewhat depressing to hear that her comics became such a source of concern/depression for her, but I can understand that feeling of it becoming work and the pressure to only make “good” art. And I love her moments where she’s talking with her husband and thinking of all the stuff she forgets, but goes over conversation she had years ago where she said awful things.

Okay, that’s my awkward ending… go read this book.