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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Trying to get back into more creative writing this year and this was a good place to start. The advice was useful, addressing the mental and spiritual blocks that often come with writing and the writer doesn’t take herself too seriously. The humor she infused throughout did get to be a bit much at times to the point where I lost what she was trying to say.
This is a classic on the craft of writing for a reason! Lamott and Natalie Goldberg were my favorite authors on the craft of writing when I was in my 20s. My notes from 1997 say, "She doesn't excite me the way N. Goldberg did, but she's got some good advice."
exactly what I imagine a creative writing course would be like: stern, practical advice that you sort of already know, some you don't, delivered by your white, dreadlocked lecturer who think's she's funnier than she is, and whose generalisations about people err on the side of racism and ableism. still, some quite useful stuff.
Moving and inspiring to anyone who wants to be a writer or just likes writing.
This is a fun, interesting, and lovely book. It's open, honest, witty, funny, and full of wisdom. As advertised it is as much about life as about writing. Ms. Lamott writes very well, and it's very pleasant to read. You'll learn a lot about being a writer and about being published -- two very different things as she will tell you.
I enjoyed this book. It certainly draws the reader into both the author's own spiritual relationship with writing, as well as making one feel that they too could develop such a relationship with same. All of this accomplished without the pretentiousness that could so easily sink a book like this, or make it unreadable to most people. Much more accessible, and at times even vulgar or irreverent in a lighthearted sense.
I take issue with a few small things. One, the above mentioned positive is actually sometimes a negative. I think she pours it on a little thick at times with the whole, "write for the sake of transforming your soul and no other reason". I am a writer, and I feel writing is important, but a few times I felt that nothing ever written could possibly grasp the gravitas she was assigning.
Secondly, it really is much easier for a successful, published author that makes her living as a writer to talk about how publication shouldn't be important, and that writers shouldn't think they can make a living off of it. Except when they do, right?
But those are minor complaints all and all. The book does feel like a late evening, casual yet insightful conversation on a topic significant to the author. It also sometimes gives the impression that one is having that conversation over a beer or two with the author, and that in this case is not a bad thing.
I take issue with a few small things. One, the above mentioned positive is actually sometimes a negative. I think she pours it on a little thick at times with the whole, "write for the sake of transforming your soul and no other reason". I am a writer, and I feel writing is important, but a few times I felt that nothing ever written could possibly grasp the gravitas she was assigning.
Secondly, it really is much easier for a successful, published author that makes her living as a writer to talk about how publication shouldn't be important, and that writers shouldn't think they can make a living off of it. Except when they do, right?
But those are minor complaints all and all. The book does feel like a late evening, casual yet insightful conversation on a topic significant to the author. It also sometimes gives the impression that one is having that conversation over a beer or two with the author, and that in this case is not a bad thing.
I thought this book was fantastic.
Lamott really put herself out here in this. The way in which she described writing block, insecurities and procrastination was so relatable to me (in my job of photography) that I had nearly the entire chapters highlighted.
If you do want to get into writing, she gives great ideas / incentives / inspiration for writing prompts.
Lamott really put herself out here in this. The way in which she described writing block, insecurities and procrastination was so relatable to me (in my job of photography) that I had nearly the entire chapters highlighted.
If you do want to get into writing, she gives great ideas / incentives / inspiration for writing prompts.
i just love to read anne lamott. she is so good at writing true, honest essays that reach out and grab you and make you look at something that you’ve seen every day of your life just a little bit differently. if you have ever tried to write a book, or even if you haven’t, read this book. it will make you laugh and smile and write down quotes.
I should read this at least once a year to remind myself to observe, enjoy, and write, write, write!