Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and LifeFrom the acclaimed New York Times bestselling author: An essential volume for generations of writers young and old. The twenty-fifth anniversary edition of this modern classic will continue to spark creative minds for years to come. For a quarter century, more than a million readers—scribes and scribblers of all ages and abilities—have been inspired by Anne Lamott’s hilarious, big-hearted, homespun advice. Advice that begins with the simple words of wisdom passed down from Anne’s father—also a writer—in the iconic passage that gives the book its title: “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.’” |
What people are saying - Write a review
User ratings
5 stars |
| ||
4 stars |
| ||
3 stars |
| ||
2 stars |
| ||
1 star |
|
LibraryThing Review
User Review - et.carole - LibraryThingLamott's Bird by Bird reads like advice from a mother who knows what it feels like to write, and also curses and is a bit funny. As good as I hoped it would be when it was recommended to me. Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - Breton07 - LibraryThingI read his book about twenty years ago as an inspiration, and as a guide to living well. The book is a guide for those people who want to have a kinder approach to themselves. Lamott addresses the ... Read full review
Contents
Getting Started 3 Short Assignments | 16 |
Shitty First Drafts 21 Perfectionism | 28 |
School Lunches 33 Polaroids | 39 |
Part Twet ršle writing frame of šur D | 95 |
Index Cards 133 Calling Around | 145 |
Writers Block | 176 |
PublicationAND OTHER | 185 |
Writing a Present 185 Finding Your Voice | 195 |
Publication | 208 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
able actually agent attention beautiful become begin believe better breathe bring called cards characters desk don't draft editor everything eyes face fact father feel felt finally funny garden getting give going hand happen hard head hear heart hope hour important inside interesting keep kind knew later lives look lunch matter mean mind months morning move never night novel Okay once parents pass person piece playing possible probably problems published remember sense short someone Sometimes sort sound start started stop story sure talk tell things thought told took true truth trying turn voice waiting walking whole woman wonderful worry writing written wrote