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BOOK REVIEW: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird: Some instructions on writing and life is necessary for anyone who aspires to write for his own inner peace. Extremely entertaining, and with this basic instruction always in mind, Anne Lamott offers us a gift: a step-by-step guide on how to write and on how to manage the writer’s life.

Although published in 1994, this book is timeless and a valuable piece of written words, exhibited rationally and with a humorous approach to the hardships she faced in her attempt to become a published author. Lamar offer various advisory pieces that anyone interested in becoming a writer will like to adapt and get inspired. Starting from her basic advice to any writer which is ‘to write daily at least an amount on words on a piece of paper or on your computer’ to how to starts, maintaining drafts, using and developing characters simultaneously with the plot, on why a good set of dialogue matters, and always listening to that little voice inside you which is your original voice.

This is not a how-to book. Instead, Bird by Bird celebrates the ever-important “why?” of writing and encourages inexperienced authors to ditch the need for fame, money, and glory. Instead of going for the book deal, a reader is encouraged to focus on the emotional relief and the peace of mind that inevitably results from a good, solid writing purge.

Lamott’s writing is witty and her advice is though-provoking. She starts the book with a little private conversation with the reader, just like when you are in a workshop or a seminar, and pursue this narrative throughout the book, till she has dismissed the class. I found it extremely comfortable for a reader to maintain a level of focus and following the writer across the text. This also made me to finish the book in just a little over four hours.

I feel, Bird by Bird is a must read for everyone in writing or related creative pursuit. Recommended!

5 out of 5!

Writing is about learning to pay attention and to communicate what is going on.

Writing is about learning to pay attention and to communicate what is going on.

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Barbara Radisalvjeivc says: April 24, 2015 at 5:25 AM Sounds like a book I'd love to read.
Writergurlny says: April 24, 2015 at 6:33 AM Wonderful book.
The Geek Undergraduate says: April 24, 2015 at 4:16 PM This sounds like a great book. I will add it to my to read list.
bhaktimotta says: April 24, 2015 at 6:48 PM Added it to my wishlist! :)
Shannon Scheidell says: April 25, 2015 at 10:12 AM I am all for her "Shitty first drafts" memorendum. Just get it all out there, then edit after, right? Practice, practice, practice!
lucieguerre says: April 26, 2015 at 5:20 AM I definitely want to read this book; I keep postponing it though for other days. Based on your review, I will make it more of a priority.

Sounds like a book I'd love to read.

Aman(@amanhimself) says: April 24, 2015 at 10:38 AM It's an amazing book :)

It's an amazing book :)

Wonderful book.

Aman(@amanhimself) says: April 24, 2015 at 10:39 AM True that!

True that!

This sounds like a great book. I will add it to my to read list.

Aman(@amanhimself) says: April 24, 2015 at 4:23 PM I hope you enjoy reading it!

I hope you enjoy reading it!

Added it to my wishlist! :)

Aman(@amanhimself) says: April 24, 2015 at 11:03 PM :)

I am all for her "Shitty first drafts" memorendum. Just get it all out there, then edit after, right? Practice, practice, practice!

Aman(@amanhimself) says: April 25, 2015 at 8:58 PM Yeah, getting all out there is a the main job and first most job of a writer then editing.

Yeah, getting all out there is a the main job and first most job of a writer then editing.

I definitely want to read this book; I keep postponing it though for other days. Based on your review, I will make it more of a priority.

Aman(@amanhimself) says: April 26, 2015 at 12:25 PM It's a wonderful read!

It's a wonderful read!

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