"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 task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother's shoulder, and said, 'Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.'"
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First Sentence
The very first thing I tell my new students on the first day of a workshop is that good writing is about telling the truth. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
The very first thing I tell my new students on the first day of a workshop is that good writing is about telling the truth. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
When writing my first book, I hit an all too familiar wall which was a lifetime of writer's block that had paralyzed me many times before. A friend recommended I read Bird By Bird. I did, and through reading Ann's words, with all her wisdom and practical advice, a door to my inner voice opened up and the book flowed. Not only did I complete the book (on deadline!) and get it published, but people tell me the book reads like a novel, with the sound of my voice warm, clear and engaging throughout. This is the greatest reward ---a non-fiction book that came from my soul and that people can connect with. (ORGANIZING FROM THE INSIDE OUT, 1998) Thank you, Ann LaMott, and thank you Bird by Bird. I highly recommend this book to anyone who struggles with writing.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Mrs. S. King
Format:Paperback
This is a lovely book written by someone who obviously 'gets' and adores writing.
I too am always at switch off point when God is mentioned but he is here in a 'and my Mum says' type way.....never forced into the readers face.
This woman is someone you'd meet in starbucks and you'd get talking to her and then inspired by her thoughts on writing.....lovely
I too am always at switch off point when God is mentioned but he is here in a 'and my Mum says' type way.....never forced into the readers face.
This woman is someone you'd meet in starbucks and you'd get talking to her and then inspired by her thoughts on writing.....lovely
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I picked this book up after hearing an audiotape of Anne Lamott talking about creativity and writing. I am not a writer or writter wannabe; I just liked her story telling. In reading "Bird by Bird," I discovered the same entertaining, laugh-out-loud story telling, used to teach her own particular brand of "how to write." It also became clear to me that the principles and techniques she was presenting are universal - they apply not only to writing, but to any pursuit or activity in life. The book is, in fact, a guide to living (intended? unintended? who knows, and who cares...). So whether you're looking for specific techniques for writing (in particular, fiction), looking for an entertaining read, or want to have your thinking provoked, I highly recommend "Bird by Bird." (Incidentally, as a result of reading the book, I was inspired to do some recreational writing...)
153 of 174 people found the following review helpful
By S. Bailey
VINE VOICE
Format:Paperback
I bought this because I was writing a novel in a month with Nanowrimo, and so many people on the forums recommended it. People who write novels in a month ought to know an inspirational book when they see it, I thought. Wrong, wrong, wrong...
The subtitle, "Some Instructions on Writing and Life", ought to have been a warning. But I was overwhelmed by delight in the title itself: Lamott's young brother had, in a single evening, to complete a school project on birds which he should have been writing over the previous three months. "Just take it bird by bird, buddy," was the sensible advice offered by their father.
Lamott herself, however, takes a different line: "just do it my way, buddy". She (presumably; like so many people who write books about how to write novels, I've never even seen one of her novels in a book shop) writes character-driven novels. Therefore, so should we all: don't worry about plot, or settings or anything else, just let your characters do their thing. This is doubtless very good advice for those who also write character-driven fiction, but if you're like me, and begin with a plot and then wonder what sort of people would get into such a ridiculous situation, Ms Lamott is not going to help you much.
I could have dealt with the book and found some useful insights in it were it not for the second problem: "... and Life". Lamott believes in God. Very much. There is far too much stuff here about what God wants for each of us and what each of us wants from God, for this to work for me, or anyone else who doesn't not share or wish to share Lamott's faith. If I wanted a book about fluffy Christianity, I would not have bought a writing book.
The subtitle, "Some Instructions on Writing and Life", ought to have been a warning. But I was overwhelmed by delight in the title itself: Lamott's young brother had, in a single evening, to complete a school project on birds which he should have been writing over the previous three months. "Just take it bird by bird, buddy," was the sensible advice offered by their father.
Lamott herself, however, takes a different line: "just do it my way, buddy". She (presumably; like so many people who write books about how to write novels, I've never even seen one of her novels in a book shop) writes character-driven novels. Therefore, so should we all: don't worry about plot, or settings or anything else, just let your characters do their thing. This is doubtless very good advice for those who also write character-driven fiction, but if you're like me, and begin with a plot and then wonder what sort of people would get into such a ridiculous situation, Ms Lamott is not going to help you much.
I could have dealt with the book and found some useful insights in it were it not for the second problem: "... and Life". Lamott believes in God. Very much. There is far too much stuff here about what God wants for each of us and what each of us wants from God, for this to work for me, or anyone else who doesn't not share or wish to share Lamott's faith. If I wanted a book about fluffy Christianity, I would not have bought a writing book.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Reading Anne Lamott is like sitting
down with a close friend who shares all of your idiosyncracies and insanities, as well as
your warped sense of humor. Bird by Bird gives Lamott's view of the writing life and
confronts all of the little details and major crises faced by anyone who's ever wanted to
write. Filled with warm and witty anecdotes from her own writing career and from the
classes she teaches, Lamott takes you gently by the hand and then proceeds to push, pull,
or drag you to the pencil or the keyboard because you suddenly feel that you have to write
something, right now! This is a book to keep next to the bed or the computer,
or wherever else you're likely to be when you need a nudge to keep going and a major
dose of inspiration. Read this book with a highlighter grasped tightly in your sweaty palm,
because you're going to want to come back to certain lines over and over again. Highly
recommended.
down with a close friend who shares all of your idiosyncracies and insanities, as well as
your warped sense of humor. Bird by Bird gives Lamott's view of the writing life and
confronts all of the little details and major crises faced by anyone who's ever wanted to
write. Filled with warm and witty anecdotes from her own writing career and from the
classes she teaches, Lamott takes you gently by the hand and then proceeds to push, pull,
or drag you to the pencil or the keyboard because you suddenly feel that you have to write
something, right now! This is a book to keep next to the bed or the computer,
or wherever else you're likely to be when you need a nudge to keep going and a major
dose of inspiration. Read this book with a highlighter grasped tightly in your sweaty palm,
because you're going to want to come back to certain lines over and over again. Highly
recommended.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
I expected the book to be a little deeper. Have similar books already.
But I did enjoy it. Would recommend.
But I did enjoy it. Would recommend.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Ella
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
I enjoyed this book, it was full of easy to read advice on life itself and writing, I have already gone back to it a few times to re-read certain chapters.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Mrs Dean
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
This is a book for writers of all levels, a book for thoughtful authors keen to expand and improve their skills. It is clear, concise and easy to reference. Anne speaks from experience. I highly recommend it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
a lovely reading pleasure
Published 3 days ago by MissB
5.0 out of 5 stars
I have both enjoyed and learned from this book and I am recommending...
I am engaged in an educational form of research (Living Theory research: some details on http://www.actionresearch.net) and I have been wondering how to describe the process. Read more
Published 2 months ago by M. Huxtable
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Great book
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. B C Murrill
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliantly written and useful
This book is brilliantly written and easy to understand. I found it engaging and there was lots of useful information that I haven't read in other books.
Published 5 months ago by S. J. Garrity
4.0 out of 5 stars
Witty Common Sense
All the great points in this book are pretty basic. There's nothing new or eye opening covered. But that doesn't make the great points any less great. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Jack Kenyon
3.0 out of 5 stars
Half about writing, half about the everyday.
If you can stand Lamott's religiosity and folksey, doe-eyed sentiments, you may just find a few gems inside. Read more
Published 8 months ago by presque_vu
5.0 out of 5 stars
sometimes painful - but always true
Recommended! I can't think of another book that describes the ups and downs of the writing process as clearly and honestly as this. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Jeff P
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational
I loved this book that inspired me to keep writing and reach our beyond myself. I immediately ordered 'Travelling Mercies', which I enjoyed even more.
Published 8 months ago by Sophie Neville
3.0 out of 5 stars
A few life lessons, some writing wisdom but not enough
This book was recommended by so many people I lost count. As a new author and long time lover of memoirs, it seemed a good book choice for me. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
want to be a writer, read this book!
You won't get better help, or more humorous instruction elsewhere, I love this book, I've read it and will read it again, and no doubt again, I am unsurprised that so many... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Suzanne
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