Bird By Bird: Some Instructions On Writing And Life

Bird By Bird: Some Instructions On Writing And Life

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.?? ?n essential volume for generations of writers young and old,Bird by Bird is a modern classic. This twenty-fifth anniversary edition will continue to spark creative minds for years to come.Amazon.com ReviewThink you've got a book inside of you? Anne Lamott isn't afraid to help you let it out. She'll help you find your passion and your voice, beginning from the first really crummy draft to the peculiar letdown of publication. Readers will be reminded of the energizing books of writer Natalie Goldberg and will be seduced by Lamott's witty take on the reality of a writer's life, which has little to do with literary parties and a lot to do with jealousy, writer's block and going for broke with each paragraph. Marvelously wise and best of all, great reading.Review?Superb writing advice. . . . Hilarious, helpful, and provocative.?-The New York Times Book Review ??A warm, generous, and hilarious guide through the writer?s world and its treacherous swamps.??Los Angeles Times ?One of the funniest books on writing ever published.??The Christian Science Monitor ?A gift to all of?s mortals who write or ever wanted to write. . . . Sidesplittingly funny, patiently wise and alternately?ranky and kind-a reveille to get off our duffs?nd start writing?ow, while we?still can.??Seattle?imes?Bird by Bird would be worth reading just for Lamott?s ele- gant, moving, and often-hilarious prose. But the advice she offers is just as fantastic as the style with which it?s delivered.?-Forbes??Anne Lamott understands better than anyone that writers need help. . . . She writes so well, in fact, that it?s hard to believe that she, too, has trouble with writing. That?s what?s so deeply comforting about this book.?-The Wall Street Journal??Deftly and honestly explores the mental challenges of being a writer. . . . Lamott?s advice is, simply put, invaluable.?-Bustle??Delight[s] with insight and descriptive acumen. This humorous, insightful, no-nonsense approach will remind novices why they are writing.????-Kirkus Reviews??Offers unique inspiration. . . . An honest appraisal of what it takes to be a writer and why it matters so much.?-Library JournalFrom the Publisher"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.'" "Superb writing advice... hilarious, helpful and provocative." -- New York Times Book Review. "A warm, generous and hilarious guide through the writer's world and its treacherous swamps." -- Los Angeles Times. "A gift to all of us mortals who write or ever wanted to write... sidesplittingly funny, patiently wise and alternately cranky and kind --