You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Any writing book with a chapter titled "Shitty First Drafts" is aiiiight by me.
One of the best books on writing ever put to paper -- funny, honest, full of right-on-the-money advice. All of Lamott's own insecurities and fears are on display in the pages, and it makes a reader (and a writer) feel a little less alone.
I listened to this and really enjoyed it. I still don’t know how writers do what they do so well but it was interesting hearing about what goes into it.
I am glad I knew what this was before reading it (more an autobiography than an actual writing craft book) but it still just wasn't really the book for me. I can see why others find it helpful, but I didn't really click with the author and that's really important in a chatty, casual book like this. I don't know if it was that our writing styles are really different, or that we have way different world views, or just that I didn't like her humor very much, but it is what it is.
I did not get much out of this. Probably would have been better as a TED Talk.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I enjoyed this book so much. Anne Lamott has a lot of great advice. Some of it feels pretty obvious, but it still feels affirming to have someone else tell you this advice. I can already tell that for the rest of my life I will sit down at my word document and go, "Let's write one bird." The book is funny, though sometimes I think her jokes are a little bit in poor taste (aka comparing herself to a "large autistic child" or something like that). But the book did come out in 1994.
If there were six stars to give, it still wouldn't be enough for this book. Part how to, part confessional, and still another part inspirational, Bird by Bird left me wanting to work harder and write better. As I read through each chapter I found myself shaking my head in agreement, gobbling up her wisdom, and looking forward to a day that I have "writerly" wisdom of my own to share.
She has a talent for using humor to communicate her lessons so they never come across as preachy but instead leave you trusting every word she writes and hungry for more advice. It's a damn good thing Lamott seems to be incredibly charming, otherwise I'd be utterly consumed with envy. But instead of wasting time wishing I'd written this, I'll take her advice to heart in the hopes that one day I'll have my own stories to tell.
She has a talent for using humor to communicate her lessons so they never come across as preachy but instead leave you trusting every word she writes and hungry for more advice. It's a damn good thing Lamott seems to be incredibly charming, otherwise I'd be utterly consumed with envy. But instead of wasting time wishing I'd written this, I'll take her advice to heart in the hopes that one day I'll have my own stories to tell.