Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
Paperback: 239 pages
Publisher: Anchor; 1 edition (September 1, 1995)
ISBN-13: 978-0385480017
Back-of-the-book blurb: A step-by-step guide to writing and managing the writer’s life covers each portion of a written project, addresses such concerns as writer’s block and getting published, and offers awareness and survival tips.
She is Too Fond of Books’ review: Hmm, that back-of-the-book blurb makes Bird by Bird seem a little bit dry; it’s anything but. The book is supportive and humorous, offering both advice and anecdotes of Lamott’s own experience as a writer.
You may be wondering about the title, Bird by Bird; the author explains it in an early chapter, “Short Assignments” (p. 18):
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. … 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 arms around my brother’s shoulder, and said, ‘Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.’ “
Bird by Bird encourages the reader (writer) with Lamott’s advice of writing “short assignments” (keep writing, one sentence at a time), gives permission to let go of perfectionism, shares tips for mining memories for detail, and and offers tips on character, plot, dialogue, and setting.
I marked this section, from the chapter “Characters” (p. 52):
A writer paradoxically seeks the truth and tells lies every step of the way. It’s a lie if you make something up. But you make it up in the name of the truth, and then you give your heart to expressing it clearly. You make up your characters, partly from experience, partly out of the thin air of the subconscious, and you need to feel committed to telling the exact truth about them, even though you are making them up. …
… Just don’t pretend you know more about your characters than they do, because you don’t. Stay open to them. It’s teatime and all the dolls are at the table. Listen. It’s that simple.
It is not, as proclaimed on the book blurb, as step-by-step guide. Rather, it’s a user-friendly tool to get the writer through a rough patch, to bring the task back into focus and keep moving. Jill at Fizzy Thoughts recommended Bird by Bird to me after I was whining on Twitter that my NaNoWriMo piece was all junk, but I had to keep writing, couldn’t look back to edit it, had to make my word count goal, etc. I read an excerpt of the book online, then went out and picked up a copy the next day.
It didn’t leave my side for the rest of November as I worked toward writing a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. I completed the writing; it’s not pretty, but, hey, Anne Lamott writes about “shoddy first drafts” (except she uses a different word which is a perfect description but doesn’t meet my G-rated blog rating).
Later in the book Lamott discusses situations that might apply to an actual writer, including publication and jealousy of the success of peers. I read these sections, and found them illuminating, but it was the first half of the book that I connected with the most.
I’ll share just one excerpt from the chapter titled “Jealousy.” Lamott was experiencing extreme envy of a friend who was not only successfully published, but was, apparently, raking in money as well as acclaim. Here you’ll get a sense of the wry and self-deprecating wit she uses to illustrate her point:
I called a very wise writer I know who’s been in Alcoholics Anonymous for years, who spends half his time helping others get sober. I asked him what he would tell a newcomer who was in the throes of insanity or, say hypothetically, jealousy.
“I just listen,” he said. “They all tell me these incredibly long, self-important, convoluted stories. And then I say one of three things. I say, ‘Uh-huh,’ I say, ‘Hmmmm,’ I say, ‘Too bad.’ “ I laughed. Then I started telling him about this awful friend I had who was doing so well. He was silent for a moment. Then he said, “Uh-huh.”
I recommend Bird by Bird, whether your writing goals are journaling, a short-term challenge, or something more elaborate.
FTC disclosure: I purchased this book from my local independent bookstore.
This sounds like it would make a great gift (such as, for me, for example – I’ll just slip it onto my Amazon wish list in case my husband ever thinks to look there). I love the advice you quoted.
I love the “bird by bird, buddy” story. I that would apply to thousands of scenarios! I am just so proud that you hit the 50,000 words. I really don’t have a concept of how many pages that really is, but I know it seems huge to me. I think your attitude is a good one to take when you long to write…just get out there and throw it down. Edit later and don’t worry if you think its not good enough. After all, didn’t J.K. Rowling submit like 14 drafts of the Sorcerer’s Stone before it was accepted?
I read Bird by Bird this summer and thoroughly enjoyed it. I also read Poemcrazy that I thought was equally good – at least for stage in writing life
CONGRATULATIONS on completing the novel!!!
I bought this book on recommendation from an English professor years and years ago. I read about half of it, got so distracted with doing all of the writing the book inspired me to do that I never got around to finishing the second half. It’s been sitting on my shelf ever since. I do remember that I loved the parts I did read. Glad to hear you liked this too! And congrats on completing NaNoWriMo!
I love the idea of taking things “bird by bird”…very wise advice indeed! I read one of Lamott’s first books…I think it was called Operating Instructions and chronicled her first year with her baby. I loved her style and found it so relevant to my own life at the time. This one sounds inspiring for those of us who would like to write more but get frustrated!
This is SUCH a great book. It was required reading in my college creative writing class and a lot of what was talked about in there still stays with me. I’m overdue for a reread.
BIRD BY BIRD has gotten me through many first drafts (not to mention life’s overwhelming moments).
This sounds like a wonderful book every writer should add to their library. And it sounds great for the casual writer to use, as well.
Anne Lamott is so hilarious and frank. Sometimes I can’t believe the things she admits to in her writing, but I’m also glad she does. It makes me feel better to know that other people sometimes think the same whacked out things I do
I especially love when she writes about her son Sam. If you haven’t already, I suggest you pick up Travelling Mercies or Operating Instructions: A Journal of my son’s first year. Thanks for the review.
This is such a great book! I agree, not a step-by-step how to guide, more inspirational. But it’s great to hear that even writers as talented as Lamott struggle sometimes..
I’ve just been re-reading Traveling Mercies, Some Thoughts on Faith by her. I like her a lot.
Congrats on meeting your NaNoWriMo goal! Yeah, you!
rhapsody – oh, definitely add it to your wish list, and send your husband a link to the list
Sandy – it’s so true, bird by bird, or bit by bit, a lot can be accomplished one step at a time.
molly – thanks for the congrats; it’s a work in progress! I’m adding POEMCRAZY to my wish list.
J.S. The first part was very inspiring; it held my hand in November! I enjoyed the second half also, but the first half was FUEL!
Kathleen – I didn’t add my usual ‘about the author’ paragraph. She has written both fiction and nonfiction, but this is the only book of Lamott’s I have read (so far)
Alicia – I can see myself picking this up when I’m in a slump. The advice is timeless (well 15 years and still strong)
Caroline – much of the advice can be used in a non-writing life, too; good point!
LuAnn – yes, it’s not a “how to”, more of a “how to deal with it” (if that makes sense)
Monstrosity – when Jill emailed the title to me, I looked it up online and ‘peeked inside’ the book. The excerpt was a story about Sam, but cut off before the wrap-up of the story. I had to buy the book to find out what happened (along w/ the good advice). I’m adding her memoirs to my wish list.
sarah – I’d love to take a class with her (being careful not to ask any of the eye-roll-provoking questions she mentions in the book!)
Erin – Thanks! Good to know that her memoirs are re-read worthy also
The subtitle of this book is “Some Instructions on Writing and Life,” and when I first read it, the “life” part was a little more meaningful, while the “writing” part was indeed inspiring. This is one of my all-time favorite books, period. I’m glad you got so much out of it.
And congratulations on a successful NaNoWriMo!
Great review! Lamott is one of my favorite writers. I’ve been reading Grace [Eventually] over the last week or two.
And I agree! That’s awesome that you completed the NaNoWriMo challenge!
I wonder if this would help me improve my blog posts! They definitely need some beefing up.
A totally g-rated review. Can I just say I’m a bit disappointed?
Oh mercy, I like the bird by bird story too – but I expect I mainly like it because I remember that feeling so incredibly well. I always have to remind myself to make lists and take it slow. This sounds like a great book for me!
It IS a great book! I can’t believe I didn’t keep it – I had it for years but never picked it up again. So I let some lucky bookmoocher mooch it. Once I started blogging (thinking it would spur my writing career), I just realized I’ve got no stories begging to be ‘novelized’. I’ve only got silly unconnected blogposts.
I love that last quotation. Too funny. I picked up a similar “bird-by-bird” tip in the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I’ve always remembered, even though I read the book in the 1970s.
The main character and his son are sitting in a cafe. The boy wants to write a note home to his mother but is frozen, staring at the blank piece of paper, not knowing where to start or how to say what he wants to say. His father tells him to quit thinking about writing the letter. He says that the boy should instead simply write down a list of what it is he wants to tell his mom (no order, no nice wording). Before long, the boy is lost in writing the letter.
I use this all the time when I write, especially when I’m stuck on a review.
Thanks for the review — this is going straight onto my wish list!
I think this may be a perfect gift for myself this year.
This looks like a great book for someone like me, who has trouble with really finding my voice in my writing. I am really glad that it was helpful to you and I am thinking that I am going to take a closer look at this book.
florinda – Thanks so much! Yes, I can see how the ‘life lessons’ are just as strong as the writing reflections. I’ll definitely be going back to this book.
Amy – I’ve added her memoirs and novel to my wish list (it grows and grows). Thanks for the congrats.
Kathy – you are too funny! No beefing needed, but it is a good book; her attitude is healthy in many parts of our lives.
softdrink – I had to work really hard to tone down my unintended innuendos. Once you get on a roll it’s hard to be “suburban mom in a headband” again
Jenny – I procrastinate/avoid like heck! When I finally take a tiny step in a project, it’s such a relief!
Care – Get yourself another copy … and keep writing!
Beth – an awesome lesson. “Just do it” with a twist. another book I have yet to read …
Marieke – I hope you’re able to get your hands on a copy. You can see by all the comments that I’m not alone in finding it an inspiring read.
carol – that’s how I shop: one for them, one for me, one for them, one for me …
zibilee – I like that it’s so personal; she shares a lot about her own experience. Honestly like that (not over-the-top sensationalism) is rare.
I’m glad you found so much of worth in this book. I agree … the description does not do it justice. I love her down-to-earth approach and practical advice.
I read this years ago and liked it, but it wasn’t really what I was expecting. I should pick it back up again. Great review.
I love this cover! I’m not a writer but I love reading stuff like this.
I LOVE this book! We actually used it as a text in one of my fiction classes in college. It’s so fantastic! I’ve gone back and reread it a few times over the years.
Jenners – I’m so glad softdrink suggested it!
Stacy – It was just what I needed
Ladytink – it’s full of wisdom for non-writers, too.
Allie – I’ve been in the dark about Anne Lamott … situation remedied.
I have this book on my TBR and while I’m not sure I’m really up to writing an novel ever (let alone in 30 days) I look forward to reading this for the step by step encouragement for any project I undertake!
This is one of the best books about writing out there. Its wonderfully motivating and the shoddy first drafts are all I have at the moment! LOL
Great review & selection of quote. This is one of my fave writing books of all time. I reread it after NaNo this year, but what a great idea to read it during.
Congrats on the NaNo win too!
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