Bird by Bird : Some Instructions on Writing and Life - 94 edition

Summary: ''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. ...show more Just take it bird by bird.''' With this basic instruction always in mind Anne Lamott returns to offer us a new gift: a step-by-step guide on how to write and on how to manage the writer's life. From ''Getting Started' with ''Short Assignments'' through ''Shitty First Drafts'' ''Character'' ''Plot'' ''Dialogue.'' all the way from ''False Starts'' to ''How Do You Know When You're Done?'' Lamott encourages instructs and inspires. She discusses ''Writers Block'' ''Writing Groups'' and ''Publication.'' Bracingly honest she is also one of the funniest people alive. If you have ever wondered what it takes to be a writer what it means to be a writer what the contents of your school lunches said about what your parents were really like this books for you. From faith love and grace to pain jealousy and fear Lamott insists that you keep your eves open and then shows you how to survive. And always from the life of the artist she turns to the art of life. ''An inspiring book about writing as a way of finding the truth -- San Francisco Chronicle ''Surpasses all the other books on writing already out there -- even the wonderful stuff by Natalie Goldberg John Gardner and Annie Dillard.'' -- Seattle Times ''Well-written funny and useful.'' -- Denver Post ''I ended up reading it twice and expect to dip into it again in times of need. I recommend this book to other writers without reservation....This woman is uncanny.'' -- Marie Winn Wall Street Journal ''A quirky personal mordant down-to-earth guide to fiction writing by a wonderful novelist essayist. Lamott makes writing seem like something you could actually enjoy.'' -- The Nation ...show less

Edition/Copyright: 94
Cover: Hardback
Publisher: Pantheon Books
Published: 09/06/1994
International: No

View Review

''Superb writing advice... hilarious helpful andprovocative.'' --New York Times BookReview. ''A warm generous andhilarious guide through the writer's world and itstreacherous swamps.'' --Los AngelesTimes. ''A gift to all ofus mortals who write or ever wanted to write...sidesplittingly funny patiently wise and alternatelycranky and kind -- a reveille to get off our duffsand start writingnow while westill can.'' --SeattleTimes. From the Trade Paperback edition.