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Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life By Anne Lamott ( Anchor )
Release Date: 1995-09-01
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List Price: $14.95
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Product Description
"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.'"
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Amazon.com Review
Think 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.
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 Attention Writers: Keep This Book on Your Shelf ( sandypoint )
Anne Lamott is an accomplished novelist and essayist, and she is also a writing teacher. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life contains not only her classroom lessons, but also her whole self. Lamott's witty, honest and at times self-deprecating style is all over these chapters and her empathy for writers of all levels is immediately apparent. When we writers take time off to read what we think are how-to books, often times we're stuck and we're looking for a friend. We find this in Anne Lamott.
That said, Bird by Bird is not a How-To book about writing. Instead it's more of a Who-Are-You look into your own writing process. It appeals to a wide audience--those just getting started and those with years of experience and published work. Anecdotal snippets from her life (fans of Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year will appreciate stories about her son, Sam) and clever prompting tips from her classroom (Broccoli anyone?) will make you laugh and make you get back to your writing project.
We writers owe Anne Lamott a great deal of thanks for this wonderful book.
Michele Cozzens is the author of It's Not Your Mother's Bridge Club
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Touching and funny
Anne teaches writing and this book is based on what she shares with her class. I love the personal stories she tells, especially about her son, Sam. Writers often talk of "voice", and I feel I know Anne through this book. I can hear her voice.
She makes the serious memorable, but also funny. Writing is important, but she does urge us to not take it all too seriously.
She talks about the thrill of seeing oneself in print, but then the raging doubt and the self-loathing that can come sometimes.
It is full of lessons, like seeing the world through a tiny window and just describing that bit - and then widening it. Don't start with a big project, just write a short assignment.
Writing is not just for publication - it is it's own reward. Commit to finishing. She is realistic, encouraging but without promising the world. Highly recommended!
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 Beyond the book - "Real" Life Tips ( ohanalegend )
Yes, this is a book on instructions for writing, but of greater value are Anne Lamott's "real" life tips. These are "real" because they are very straight-forward, honest and humorous. Can you imagine saying to your friend, "I hate you"? You know you may have thought this at one time or another but Lamott says it. The question is whether she was serious or just allowing her inner voice to get some ink in "Bird by Bird".
From the perspecctive of advice on writing this book does contain worthy advice for all levels of writers. Her examples will tickle alive your thoughts and creativity. You will finish reading several pages or chapters and think, "I got it, I know what I can do". She helps you to let go.
Today's world is moving fast, very fast and most of us (not me) are frantically trying to keep up with every little detail. Stop! Pick up your copy of "Bird by Bird" and let your heart, mind and soul feel good.
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Teacher resource
Book delivered promptly and in good condition. Good teacher resource for writing. Quick read.
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fantastic ( meganm16 )
Besides being a thorough exploration of writing, it's a memoir with insight into both writing and life.
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