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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
Great and honest book about writing. Lamott has a funny and abrasive way of writing about writing and the world in general. Heartfelt, encouraging, but also honest about the embarrassment and agony of writing. What was really cool was when I read a chapter and it directly addressed something that I was encountering in my own writing at that same time.
I did find it fascinating. I am wondering if her insecurities are really common with most writers.
I feel like I would have appreciated this more as a high school student. The advice is pretty rudimentary and abstract, best suited for the beginning writer to help get someone thinking about how to start writing in the first place.
As a quick note, anything industry related is mostly out of date as far as how publishing works now, though I’m sure it was helpful at the time of writing.
But the main reason I really couldn’t bring myself to enjoy this as much as I wanted to was the attitude throughout. I know it’s supposed to be funny, but the sentiments were still sincere. I think the biggest thing that turned me off was the attitude toward other writers, with the many many “jokes” about hating writer friends for their successes, etc. (Not to mention hating beta readers, critique group members, being obnoxious and unprofessional to editors and agents…) I certainly hope this isn’t the attitude other writers have, because it isn’t what I’ve experienced. I don’t really want to make burgeoning writers think it’s normal or okay to hate each other, even “jokingly.”
This book came highly recommended, and I wouldn’t say it’s bad, but it’s not for me. Dare I say it was a bit unhinged? Painting the writing life as some sort of emotional hurricane that it really isn’t and doesn’t need to be? I think that was just the way people wrote about writing at the time, but I think we’ve found much healthier ways to write now, thank goodness. And I really hope we’ve learned to be kinder and more supportive of one another.
As a quick note, anything industry related is mostly out of date as far as how publishing works now, though I’m sure it was helpful at the time of writing.
But the main reason I really couldn’t bring myself to enjoy this as much as I wanted to was the attitude throughout. I know it’s supposed to be funny, but the sentiments were still sincere. I think the biggest thing that turned me off was the attitude toward other writers, with the many many “jokes” about hating writer friends for their successes, etc. (Not to mention hating beta readers, critique group members, being obnoxious and unprofessional to editors and agents…) I certainly hope this isn’t the attitude other writers have, because it isn’t what I’ve experienced. I don’t really want to make burgeoning writers think it’s normal or okay to hate each other, even “jokingly.”
This book came highly recommended, and I wouldn’t say it’s bad, but it’s not for me. Dare I say it was a bit unhinged? Painting the writing life as some sort of emotional hurricane that it really isn’t and doesn’t need to be? I think that was just the way people wrote about writing at the time, but I think we’ve found much healthier ways to write now, thank goodness. And I really hope we’ve learned to be kinder and more supportive of one another.
I just reread this - it's still good. I think a lot of her advice can apply to any creative endeavor, not just writing.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
This was a beautiful way to start the new year. Anne had me silently chuckling at many points, and also near tears at times. While I am not a writer by vocation, I believe everyone has a creative drive inside them, which is part of being made in God's image. Many insights she teaches us are those which can be applied, as the title says to "writing and life." I kept remembering, with some awe, that she wrote this book a quarter century ago. It feels a lot like she is telling me these words in the present day. However, this was first published when I was a freshman in high school--before email, the internet, cell phones, and social media changed the shape of our lives and the way we interact and think. I wish I had read it then. Today, it remains just as relevant and necessary for living honest, intentional lives.
I really enjoyed this book. I didn't read this book for the writing, I had to read it for a class in school, but still I found it very helpful for writing! I had very few problems with this book, it just seemed like the author was kind of arrogant with her own writing, and kind of subconsciously were putting down other writers who felt like they weren't good enough of writers. Still, this book was fun to read and I definitely recommend it to not just writers, but people who love books about life!
I took so many notes during this book, I actually had to shorten the list I would share. But so many quotes stood out to me I just couldn't help myself!
"There's a fence around your acre, though with a gate, and if people keep coming onto your land and sliming it or trying to get you to do what they think is right, you get to ask them to leave. And they have to go, because this is your acre." (p. 44) This quote was like a punch in the face to me, because it's s true. And it can apply itself to so many things in real life circumstances.
"One line of dialogue that rings true reveals character in a way that pages of description can't" (p. 47) So true man, the truth man.
"...just as in the real world it may take you many years to find out that the stranger you talked to once for half an hour in the railroad station may have done more to point you to where your true homeland lies than your priest or your best friend or even you psychiatrist." (p. 53) This one is pretty self explanatory and I love it.
"He smiles an oblique and private smile at us, the most delicious of all, and this changes how we look at life." (p. 107) I have no idea why I love this quote so much, but I felt like it was absolutely necessary that I mention it. I think it reminds of one of my favorite fictional characters.
"God forbid you should have your own opinions or perceptions- better to have head lice" (p. 111) Again, this quote is just so true and self explanatory and I love it so much.
I took so many notes during this book, I actually had to shorten the list I would share. But so many quotes stood out to me I just couldn't help myself!
Spoiler
"Left to its own devices, my mind spends much of its time having conversations with people who aren't there. I walk along defending myself to people, or exchanging repartee with them, rationalizing my behavior, or seducing them with gossip, or pretending I'm on their TV talk show or whatever" (p. 26) Literally all when I read this quote all I could do was nod my head and say "same"."There's a fence around your acre, though with a gate, and if people keep coming onto your land and sliming it or trying to get you to do what they think is right, you get to ask them to leave. And they have to go, because this is your acre." (p. 44) This quote was like a punch in the face to me, because it's s true. And it can apply itself to so many things in real life circumstances.
"One line of dialogue that rings true reveals character in a way that pages of description can't" (p. 47) So true man, the truth man.
"...just as in the real world it may take you many years to find out that the stranger you talked to once for half an hour in the railroad station may have done more to point you to where your true homeland lies than your priest or your best friend or even you psychiatrist." (p. 53) This one is pretty self explanatory and I love it.
"He smiles an oblique and private smile at us, the most delicious of all, and this changes how we look at life." (p. 107) I have no idea why I love this quote so much, but I felt like it was absolutely necessary that I mention it. I think it reminds of one of my favorite fictional characters.
"God forbid you should have your own opinions or perceptions- better to have head lice" (p. 111) Again, this quote is just so true and self explanatory and I love it so much.
This is a wonderful book on writing. I recommend it to PhD students constantly and they very often come back to say thank you as it's been transformative for them, too :)
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced