Consider me inspired!

This simple phrase holds a world of potential. It implies that something has ignited a spark within me, fueling my creativity and motivation.

Inspiration can come from many sources - a beautiful piece of art, a moving speech, a chance encounter with someone new. It can also come from within, as we reflect on our own experiences and dreams.

When I am inspired, I feel a sense of excitement and possibility. I am eager to explore new ideas and take risks. I am not afraid to fail, because I know that each attempt brings me closer to success.

Inspiration is a powerful force that can transform our lives. It can give us the courage to pursue our passions, the strength to overcome obstacles, and the vision to create a better future.

So, the next time you find yourself feeling inspired, don't let that moment pass you by. Embrace it, nurture it, and let it guide you on your journey. Consider yourself inspired, and see where it takes you!

As usual, I don't always "get" her. According to her, this is the case for a lot of people. The essay that makes up Holy the Firm was only "gotten" by a critic and two first graders.

But I kind of just love her unconditionally. Here, she manages to compare the act of wrestling with writing on a sentence level to alligator wrestling, using an especially gory example. I just have yet to encounter anyone else who writes anything like her.

And also as usual, a couple of lines stop me in my tracks. I read them enough times that they're soon memorized. A favorite here is: "You can waste a year worrying about it, or you can get it over with now. (Are you a woman, or a mouse?)" Her words have a certain power and charm that draw me in and make me want to explore more of her writing. I find myself constantly amazed by her unique perspective and the way she uses language to convey her thoughts and emotions.

Every few years, I'll pick up one of these classic "how to write" books, just out of curiosity.

This particular one has its pros and cons. On one hand, it contains some truly excellent writing that can serve as inspiration.

However, on the other hand, it also offers some very bad advice. It seems to be overly indulgent, making the act of writing seem mysterious and complex, while providing very little in terms of practical, workable systems or methods.

It's like a dance instructor who flawlessly demonstrates a foxtrot and then, when turning to you, simply says, "Well, it's complicated. I really couldn't explain it."

This kind of approach is not very helpful for those who are seriously trying to improve their writing skills.

Readers are left feeling frustrated and confused, wondering how they can ever hope to master the art of writing if the experts themselves can't provide clear and useful guidance.

Perhaps a better approach would be to focus on practical techniques and strategies that can be easily implemented and practiced.

After all, writing is a skill that can be learned and improved with effort and dedication, not something that is reserved only for the chosen few.

Hmm. I had such high hopes for this book. Annie Dillard’s essay was featured in the example portion of Writing Creative Nonfiction, and it was a brilliant example of simple, succinct prose. Her understated descriptions of a stunt pilot added an entirely new level of grace to his life’s work. I was really looking forward to learning some more writing tips and wisdom, similar to what Anne Lamott offers in Bird By Bird.

The Writing Life is definitely not an instruction manual for leading the aforementioned life. There are no exercises or pep talks. There are strategies, but not in the form of convenient sound bites that can fit on a computer monitor post-it (like my current “just take it bird by bird!”). Instead, they are thick metaphors that sprawl and scatter through seven chapters, concluding with the essay included in the Writing Creative Nonfiction anthology. Dillard’s book shines brightest when she is telling stories, such as that of a stranded woman catching fish with the flesh of her thigh, or of an island resident paddling against the current all through the night. Each of these dispersed mini-narratives contains a lesson or illustration of the writing craft, as well as the struggles that an artist faces.

However, I start to lose Dillard when she switches back into an inner-monologue, which is a constant meditation and lamentation of “the writing life.” I don’t blame her for her emotions (after all, it is difficult, isolating, and can break your heart), but they weren’t the sentiments I was hoping to hear as a new, aspiring writer. Reading over and over again about her wonderment at why anyone would ever want to be a writer makes me feel not only down, but a little defensive. I feel like I am straining and hoping and aspiring like crazy for the life that Dillard has—publication, street cred, writing retreats in Puget Sound. Why? Because, as she finally details in the final chapter on the stunt pilot, it’s a daring life worth living.

I’m glad when she finally comes around to lauding the writing life, but I end up getting hung up on paragraphs like this: Politely, he asked me about my writing. Foolishly, not dreaming I was about to set my own world tumbling down around my ears, I said I hated to write. I said I would rather do anything else. He was amazed. He said, “That’s like a guy who works in a factory all day, and hates it.” Then I was amazed, for so it was. It was just like that. Why did I do it? I had never inquired. How had I let it creep up on me? Why wasn’t I running a ferryboat, like sane people? (Dillard 53).

As someone who is currently living the lifestyle of a ferryboat runner, I just want to give her a good shake by the shoulders. Don’t you realize what you have? The freedom to be your own boss, to get lost in your stories and creativity, to actually be a writer? The only person crushing your soul on a daily basis is you, when you have to cut up a chapter. You don’t have a boss peering over your shoulder, criticizing your every move while you chip away at something completely trivial. Of course you may feel that way, but it’s your inner voice talking, not a grossly-overpaid human being!

I think that, as a more seasoned and experienced writer, I would have empathized more with the book. But as such a greenhorn, I’m still gobbling up direction and ideas, gaping at the vast possibilities, and trying to avoid becoming jaded with the whole nasty system. In this hopefully writing life, there is plenty of time for that. For now, I think I’ll keep taking it bird by bird.

I truly despised this book. I'm not certain why I even awarded it two stars. Perhaps it was due to its length.

I continuously thought that Annie Dillard won a Pulitzer Prize for this particular work, which further intensified my hatred for the book. However, this is incorrect. It's simply that she is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and that fact is prominently displayed on the cover.

In any case, do yourself a favor. Learn from my error. Avoid reading this book, despite its brevity. It is exasperating, pretentious, dull, and devoid of purpose. But, astonishingly, I read the entire thing! Tomorrow, it will be making its way back to the library.

I can't help but wonder if others will make the same mistake and pick up this book, only to be disappointed like I was. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, appearances can be deceiving, and we should be more discerning when choosing what to read.

There is no scarcity of good days. However, it is truly good lives that are difficult to obtain. A life solely focused on experiencing good days through the senses is insufficient. The life of sensation is a life of greed, constantly demanding more and more. In contrast, the life of the spirit requires less and less. Time becomes abundant, and its passage is sweet. Consider this: who would simply label a day spent reading as a good day? But a life dedicated to reading - that is indeed a good life.

Reading enriches our minds, broadens our perspectives, and allows us to explore different worlds and ideas. It is a journey of self-discovery and growth. When we immerse ourselves in a good book, we can forget about the distractions and stress of the outside world. We can lose ourselves in the story, feel the emotions of the characters, and gain valuable insights. A life filled with reading is a life filled with meaning and purpose.

So, let us not be content with just having good days. Let us strive for a good life, a life that is rich in experiences, knowledge, and love. Let us embrace the power of reading and allow it to transform us into better individuals. Because in the end, it is not the quantity of days that matters, but the quality of our lives.

I'm not entirely certain what to make of this.

I picked it up on the advice to envision my work as that of an academic, similar to the work of a professional writer, and to read some books about writing.

I've often derived value from the quote, “One of the things I know about writing is this: spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time. Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book or for another book; give it, give it all, give it now.”

There were aspects of this book that resonated deeply and captured the actual essence of writing.

Certainly, the prose was very lyrical, a quality that I don't often notice but did here.

However, when taken as a whole, it felt rather odd.

It's not precisely fetishizing the trope of "writer tortured by the specialness of their individual genius," but it's skirting right up to the edge of it.

I don't think I would re-read it or particularly recommend it to my acquaintance.

Nevertheless, I'll probably be pondering over certain parts of it for a while.

Perhaps there are still some nuggets of wisdom that I haven't fully grasped yet.

Only time will tell if this book will have a more profound impact on my writing journey.

For now, I'll continue to explore other books and seek inspiration from various sources.

After all, writing is a continuous process of learning and growth.

As a fledgling fiction writer, I have a deep appreciation for the author's vivid descriptions of the challenges, heartaches, and joys that come with the writing process.

Some of her passages are so humorous that they made me burst out laughing, while others made me realize that I am not the only one facing these difficulties.

However, I must admit that I would have preferred if the entire book had been dedicated solely to observations on writing.

The memoir parts, although perhaps interesting to some, did not particularly capture my attention.

Nevertheless, I still gave the book a 3-star rating because the writing-related content was valuable and relatable.

It provided me with insights and inspiration that will surely benefit my own writing journey.

Overall, while the book had its flaws, it also had its strengths, and I would recommend it to other aspiring writers who are looking for a candid and engaging look at the world of writing.

The sensation of writing a book is truly a remarkable one. It is like being in a whirlwind of emotions, completely blinded by the power of love and the courage to take risks. As Dillard so beautifully put it, this experience is filled with both excitement and challenge.

I have always been fascinated by the way Dillard discussed writing and the struggles that authors face. Her ideas were often thought-provoking and unique, although there were a few that I simply could not bring myself to agree with. Nevertheless, her book contained some of the most inspiring quotes about writing that I have ever come across.

These quotes served as a source of motivation and inspiration for me, reminding me of the importance of perseverance and the beauty of the creative process. They made me realize that writing is not just about putting words on paper, but about expressing oneself and sharing one's vision with the world.

4.5 stars. Annie Dillard's writing about writing is truly remarkable.

She has a unique way of breathing life into each sentence, making it not only engaging but also highly clarifying.

To illustrate her points, she often begins by telling an ostensibly unrelated story, such as about planes, wood-splitting, or alligators.

And then, she ties it all together brilliantly, showing the deep connection between these seemingly disparate elements and the art of writing.

"Write as if you were dying," Dillard says. "At the same time, assume you write for an audience consisting solely of terminal patients. That is, after all, the case."

This may explain why Flannery O'Connor was able to produce some of her most brilliant short stories during the late stage of lupus, when she knew her time was limited.

Or Keats, who suffered from tuberculosis and was aware of his "family illness," was able to pen moribund yet vivid poems like "Ode to a Nightingale."

Every writer must read this book. It is pithy, smart, and wise, and one is bound to emerge from it a better writer.

Dillard writes: "There is no shortage of good days. It is good lives that are hard to come by. A life of good days lived in the senses is not enough. The life of sensation is the life of greed; it requires less and less; time is ample and its passage sweet. Who would call a day spent reading a good day? But a life spent reading — that is a good life."

This passage truly encapsulates the essence of what it means to live a good life and how writing can contribute to that.

Dillard's words are both inspiring and thought-provoking, and they will surely resonate with anyone who has a passion for writing or for living a meaningful life.

I absolutely adored this book!

It made me realize that while I might not be able to endure a writing life as solitary and torturous as Dillard's, yet she manages to craft astonishing prose from it.

The way she described her writing process was truly fascinating.

For writers, this book is highly recommended.

It offers valuable insights and inspiration that can enhance one's own writing journey.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced writer, there is something to be gained from reading about Dillard's experiences and her unique approach to writing.

So, if you are looking for a book that will both educate and inspire you as a writer, look no further than this one.

I can't wait to share it with my fellow writers and see how it impacts their work.

Annie Dillard? More like Annie Dullard.

Her works fail to engage and inspire.

The writing lacks the spark and vitality that one would expect from a renowned author.

It seems as if she is going through the motions, producing dull and uninteresting pieces.

Two big thumbs down for Annie Dillard.

Her writing fails to leave a lasting impression and fails to meet the expectations of her readers.

Perhaps she needs to find a new source of inspiration or a new way of expressing herself.

Until then, her works will continue to be lackluster and forgettable.