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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
At nineteen, overwhelmed by all-too-imminent university essay deadlines, my mother quoted Lamott’s wisdom to me over the phone: ‘Bird by bird, word by word.’ This became a mantra I’d repeat every time I sat down to write. Who knows if I’d still have my degree if it weren’t for this little phrase (so thank you, Mum, and Lamott).
Six years later and now having read the book itself, in essence, this is the main takeaway from Bird by Bird: keep putting words on the page. With all her witty wisdom and anecdotes, Lamott succeeded in inspiring me to get writing again. For that, I’m grateful.
Bird by Bird was first published in 1994, and is well-loved by many. It’s not that her advice isn’t relevant anymore—writing is still writing—but the publishing landscape has, of course, shifted dramatically. Self-publishing, social media, AI: none of this is addressed, which dates it somewhat. I still flew through the book, and have left with helpful (if not necessarily ground-breaking) techniques and strategies to implement when the going inevitably gets tough when writing.
Six years later and now having read the book itself, in essence, this is the main takeaway from Bird by Bird: keep putting words on the page. With all her witty wisdom and anecdotes, Lamott succeeded in inspiring me to get writing again. For that, I’m grateful.
Bird by Bird was first published in 1994, and is well-loved by many. It’s not that her advice isn’t relevant anymore—writing is still writing—but the publishing landscape has, of course, shifted dramatically. Self-publishing, social media, AI: none of this is addressed, which dates it somewhat. I still flew through the book, and have left with helpful (if not necessarily ground-breaking) techniques and strategies to implement when the going inevitably gets tough when writing.
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Very informative. Gives you many insights about writing and situations in your own life.
This book made it to my 'gonna reread this book' list.
This book made it to my 'gonna reread this book' list.
Full of fabulous ideas, insights and imagination. I can see why so many people recommend this book. Add me to that list.
I love the combination of journal-type outpouring, habits, stories and ideas for writers and a better writing life.
The honesty, humour and integrity of Lamott's work is like a breath of fresh air. Writing is not all unicorns and rainbows, but Lamott will help you find them in everyday moments.
I love the combination of journal-type outpouring, habits, stories and ideas for writers and a better writing life.
The honesty, humour and integrity of Lamott's work is like a breath of fresh air. Writing is not all unicorns and rainbows, but Lamott will help you find them in everyday moments.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
"If you're not enough before the gold medal, you won't be enough with it."
-John Candy, Cool Runnings (1993)
The above isn't the exact quote from Cool Runnings as I just Googled it myself, but Anne Lamott's paraphrasing of it is close enough. I really enjoyed this short read. The author is very eccentric, quite whimsical, and at times relatably neurotic. Apparently "relatably" isn't a word, but I'll use it anyway.
I read this partially as a wannabe writer but was thrilled by Lamott's direct quote "Becoming a better writer is going to help you become a better reader, and THAT is the real payoff." Before checking this out from the library I asked an English major friend what books he'd read for his major that had the greatest impact on improving his writing and he said he couldn't remember any - why, was I hoping to read something to become a better writer? My answer - kind of, but I was hoping to become a better reader. In this aspect Anne Lamott understands me.
This book was published nearly 30 years ago - it's a little dated at times, much has changed in the dawn of the digital age. Nowadays including self publishing, which was not nearly as prominent when Lamott wrote this, there are over 4,000,000 books published every single year. Your odds of carving yourself a modicum of relevancy in a rampant sea of 4,000,000 new titles every year is extraordinarily small, so in that sense you best have better reasons for writing than just getting published.
Even if you don't want to write and don't care to become a better reader there's a plethora of content on managing anxiety, particularly the chapter about drowning out the radio station KFKD. It was refreshing to read someone who has similar thoughts as myself, right down to imaginary conversations with police officers after you've just ran a stop sign or similar, even though they never saw you and will never pull you over. Bird by bird isn't just a metaphor for writing, it can be applied to so many things in life.
-John Candy, Cool Runnings (1993)
The above isn't the exact quote from Cool Runnings as I just Googled it myself, but Anne Lamott's paraphrasing of it is close enough. I really enjoyed this short read. The author is very eccentric, quite whimsical, and at times relatably neurotic. Apparently "relatably" isn't a word, but I'll use it anyway.
I read this partially as a wannabe writer but was thrilled by Lamott's direct quote "Becoming a better writer is going to help you become a better reader, and THAT is the real payoff." Before checking this out from the library I asked an English major friend what books he'd read for his major that had the greatest impact on improving his writing and he said he couldn't remember any - why, was I hoping to read something to become a better writer? My answer - kind of, but I was hoping to become a better reader. In this aspect Anne Lamott understands me.
This book was published nearly 30 years ago - it's a little dated at times, much has changed in the dawn of the digital age. Nowadays including self publishing, which was not nearly as prominent when Lamott wrote this, there are over 4,000,000 books published every single year. Your odds of carving yourself a modicum of relevancy in a rampant sea of 4,000,000 new titles every year is extraordinarily small, so in that sense you best have better reasons for writing than just getting published.
Even if you don't want to write and don't care to become a better reader there's a plethora of content on managing anxiety, particularly the chapter about drowning out the radio station KFKD. It was refreshing to read someone who has similar thoughts as myself, right down to imaginary conversations with police officers after you've just ran a stop sign or similar, even though they never saw you and will never pull you over. Bird by bird isn't just a metaphor for writing, it can be applied to so many things in life.
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
All aspiring writers could learn something from this.
Anne Lamott is a friend first, teacher second. She breaks down the barriers and makes you think you can do the impossible: write well. I've marked the heck out of it and will continue to reference her prods as I write again and again.
At times funny, at times inspiring, at times meandering... I give it a 3.5.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
