I read it in three sittings, and in each of the three sittings, I cried a lot. For various reasons.

The footnote. Thanks to Melika:* Seeing her underlines and annotations added a transparent and brilliant personal layer to the text of the book and made me think if so-and-so read it, where would they mark it and if they were empathetic, what would it be like, and the quality of her experience was ten out of ten.

I gave up on this book after 51 pages. I truly enjoy reading what great writers have to say about writing. However, Anne Lamott fails to meet the mark of being a great writer in my opinion. Here is the passage that ultimately made me decide I'd had enough:

"Novels ought to have hope; at least American novels ought to have hope. French novels don't need to. We mostly win wars, they lose them. Of course, they did hide more Jews than many other countries and this is a form of winning. Although as my friend Jane points out, if you or I had been there speaking really bad French, they would have turned us in in a hot second--bank on it. In general, though, there's no point in writing hopeless novels. We all know we're going to die; what's important is the kind of men and women we are in the face of this."

This passage appears just 3 pages after she recounts teaching her 2-year-old son peace chants. "It was during the war in the Persian Gulf; I was a little angry."

I'm angry too, Ann--for purchasing your book.

If you want to read a book about writing by a writer who truly has the talent to write, I highly recommend checking out Haruki Murakami's "What I talk about when I talk about Running": https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Anne Lamott's book "Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life" has just ended. With each page I turned, I became more eager, reading with a smile on my face and with appreciation.

It's wonderful that such an author, who laughs at herself, in her author's manifesto, tells every topic, emotion, fall and rise that her candidates will experience without hesitation, sincerely, and gives examples from her own small life with an open heart. I highly recommend it to those who are new to writing.

I have been buying "everything about writing (script/play/story/novel/essay, etc.), books about literature" for years. Some books really stand out. This work has become one that I can rely on as someone in the struggle of writing. I took a lot of notes on productivity, creativity, work and writing techniques. Like Ursula Le Guin's book "Steering the Craft", "Bird by Bird" also carries the mark of Hep Kitap. Congratulations. They are publishing very nice books about writing.

Now I will continue with the third book of the series, also published by the same publisher, "The Subtleties of Fiction & Personal Approaches to Storytelling" edited by Hakan Bıçakcı. I will end my words with two quotes;
“The only truth is this: If you do your daily practice of grief, if you start working on the harder pieces as you go along, if you listen to great musicians who play the music you love, you will get better too. Sometimes when you're working, you'll sit there and you'll feel the exhaustion and fatigue from the night before; it's not clear whether you'll be able to free yourself from this state of mind that day. But it's an illusion to think that successful writers don't have such tired, defeated hours, that they haven't experienced these deep moments of insecurity when a person feels as small and cowardly as an insect.” But the example of "Bird by Bird" that gave the book its name is wonderful; “Thirty years ago, my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to write a report on birds that was due the next day; even though he had a full three months to write it. We were in our summer house in Bolinas, and he was sitting at the kitchen table with his eyes full, surrounded by piles of paper, pens, and unopened books about birds on all sides; he was petrified in the face of the enormity of the task waiting for him. Then my father sat down next to him, put his arm around my brother's shoulder, and said, "Bird by bird, buddy. Start with one bird, move on to the next.”

Well, I am not a great expert in writing. I am learning how to write better, more appealing, and more convincing. That's why I gave a chance to this "Bird by Bird".

Six or seven months ago, I read "On Writing" by Stephen King. Naturally, when you read two books on the same topic, you are bound to compare them.

The similarities are that both are Americans, both are autobiographical while teaching through the book, and both accept that writing is just a process of knowing yourself better and getting delighted. Rarely is it about name and fame. And, I must confess that I haven't read any other book of both except this one on the artistic-cum-technical topic of "How to write better."

Before "writing better", you should know basically how to write. For this purpose, Stephen King has mentioned about the basic tools of language while Anne Lamott presumes that you already know this. Besides "How to write", Anne Lamott focuses on "What to write".

She insists on writing about your childhood, no matter how bad or good it might be. Writing about your childhood (because this is your first draft) will lead you to the highest peak of expression. You don't need to research anywhere, just play with the memories.

She advises you to be a conscious, observing, and note-taking animal. She advises finding your characters near you. And yes, don't crave for perfectionism because "Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and your shitty first draft."

Like King, Anne Lamott also prefers characters more than the plot. King has already said that plot is the resort of weak writers. Even Lamott suggests that if you observe the conversation between two people, record it, and then apply your artistic way to develop a story, you will surely come to a realistic end.

"Writing a novel is like driving a car in the night. Though you can't see very far away, but at last you will reach your destination." Originally, this is not by Lamott, but she has mentioned it in the book and I liked it the most.

The book is divided into three parts and contains small chapters that make it an easy and fast read. Take a chance, you will like it.

Writing has been a complex journey for the author. Starting with a significant period of writer's block in youth, where school papers were a nightmare, the process gradually became easier but never ceased to be challenging. In working life, writing found outlets in letters, journaling, and newsletters for sports teams. The past fifteen years have seen the author crank out reviews on Goodreads, developing a rhythm but still facing the effort and uncertainty that comes with each piece.

The author has aspirations to take on larger writing projects but is hindered by anxiety, fear, ignorance, and self-doubt. To address the ignorance, advice is sought, and Anne Lamott's "Bird by Bird" becomes a valuable resource. The book offers a wealth of wisdom, techniques, and humor to help writers move from not-writing to writing in manageable steps. It covers various aspects such as getting unstuck, dealing with the creative process, and provides insights into plot, character, and dialogue.

The author reflects on personal concerns about writing, such as the fear that everything has already been done better. Lamott's quotes offer reassurance, highlighting the importance of one's own sensibility and the unique renditions that can be brought to any story. Whether one has specific writing projects in mind or is more generally interested in writing, "Bird by Bird" has something to offer. It can be a helpful guide for those aspiring to write, an entertaining look into the writing process for others, and a source of inspiration and support for all.

  E.L. Doctorow once said that “writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.”

   Mark Twain said that Adam was the only man who, when he said a good thing, knew that nobody had said it before. Life is like a recycling center, where all the concerns and dramas of humankind get recycled back and forth across the universe. But what you have to offer is your own sensibility, maybe your own sense of humor or insider pathos or meaning. All of us can sing the same song, and there will still be four billion different renditions.

Not new-agey, hippie-esque or nearly as self-help guide-like as I feared it would be when I started listening to the audiobook version as read by its author.

Anne Lamott's monotone voice initially set off the "OH NO! SHE'S TRYING TO HYPNOTIZE ME!" alarms in my head. Moreover, her occasional allusions to faith had me prepared with my own form of holy water (urine) to dash upon any self-righteous pulpits.

However, Lamott is more down-to-earth than that. Her dry delivery serves as the perfect medium for her Tina Fey-styled, kooky sense of humor. The core content of Bird by Bird doesn't really offer much that hasn't already been said about writing and how to accomplish it. Nevertheless, her advice is sound, and she enhances it with some highly personal stories.

So, I rate this a strong Much better than expected.5! It's a pleasant surprise that Lamott's work manages to be both practical and entertaining, offering valuable insights into the writing process while also making me laugh along the way.

I'm glad I gave this audiobook a chance, despite my initial misgivings. It has shown me that sometimes, appearances can be deceiving, and there's often more to a book than meets the eye (or ear, in this case).

I would highly recommend Bird by Bird to anyone who is interested in writing or simply looking for an engaging and thought-provoking read.

When I completed my undergraduate studies, I was in possession of 5 copies of this particular book.

At that time, I didn't see much value in keeping all of them. I considered various options, but in the end, I decided to sell them all for what I thought was a relatively small amount.

Looking back now, I sometimes wonder if I made the right decision. Maybe those books could have been useful in some other way. However, at that moment, it seemed like the most practical choice.

I don't know what happened to those books after I sold them. Perhaps they ended up in the hands of someone who truly appreciated them and found great value in their contents. Or maybe they were simply discarded and forgotten.

Either way, it's just another small chapter in my life that I can look back on and reflect upon.

Such an amazing book on writing! It truly feels like being a student in Professor Lamott's class. The author's insights and teachings are presented in a way that is both engaging and accessible. Each chapter offers valuable tips and techniques for improving one's writing skills. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced writer, this book has something to offer. It covers a wide range of topics, from generating ideas to editing and revising. The author's writing style is warm and inviting, making it a pleasure to read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in improving their writing. It is a must-read for all writers!

5/31/09:

This may be the single best book I have ever read in my entire life. It has had a profound impact on me. On a daily basis, it is helping me to be more productive and get my work done. It has also opened my eyes and helped me to see where I fit in life, my unique niche. Moreover, it has made me realize that I am not alone at all. It's truly a wonderful thing.

All of these insights, I had inklings of before reading this book, but Lamott has confirmed them. Validation is such a sweet quality. If you want to understand me better, read this book, and you will. Seriously.

I usually jot down my favorite quotations from a book in a journal that I carry with me. However, this book had so many great quotes that I had to switch to typing them. I now have 15 typed pages of my favorite quotes. I am seriously considering printing out the best quotes in sign form and taping them up on the walls of my office. That's how inspirational I find them. In fact, it's a fabulous idea, and I fully intend to do it as soon as I'm done gloating about how much I loved this book.

I would say this is my new "bible" if that wouldn't be offensive to some people. Thank you, Laurie, for the recommendation. This is exactly why it's important to share your favorite books with others. It's also why paying attention to what others are reading is crucial. My friends, especially, have taught me this, and for that, I am truly grateful. Laurie is my most literary friend, and she has gifted me with books that have always changed my world for the better.

Now, I just need to figure out how to send a letter of thanks to Anne Lamott. She is a kindred spirit. She is truly fabulous. I can't wait to read all of her books. Maybe someday, she'll read my books too. I'm really looking forward to that.

5/6:

This book is simply incredible. I have this urge to devour it whole, but at the same time, I want to write down so many things that I have read in it, so that I never forget them.

So far, I have been putting into practice her suggestions, and I feel that I'm getting good results. Specifically, she advises to write what you know, starting with writing down all your childhood memories. As Lamott says, "Remember you own what happened to you." Also, she suggests writing every day at approximately the same time, no matter what. Mornings work better for me as my mind is fresh, and the craziness of the day hasn't yet started to weigh on me. So, I have been writing at 8 in the morning every day, and I already feel that it's yielding good results.

***

Here are some of my favorite quotes so far:

“Think of a fine painter attempting to capture an inner vision, beginning with one corner of the canvas, painting what he thinks should be there, not quite pulling it off, covering it over with white paint, and trying again, each time finding out what his painting isn’t, until finally he finds out what it is.

“And when you do find out what one corner of your vision is, you’re off and running. And it really is like running. It always reminds of the last lines of Rabbit, Run: ‘his heels hitting heavily on the pavement at first with an effortless gathering out of a kind of sweet panic growing lighter and quicker and quieter, he runs. Ah: runs. Runs.’”

~p. 9, 10

"My gratitude for good writing is unbounded; I'm grateful for it the way I'm grateful for the ocean. Aren't you?" ~p. 15

***

And then there is this fabulous poem she includes in her book, written by Phillip Lopate. It's a great example of how you can turn your paranoia, germaphobia, or any other mental issues you're dealing with to your advantage. I think it's truly fantastic. Here it is:

We who are

your closest friends

feel the time

has come to tell you

that every Thursday

we have been meeting,

as a group,

to devise ways

to keep you

in perpetual uncertainty

frustration

discontent and

torture

by neither loving you

as much as you want

nor cutting you adrift.

Your analyst is

in on it,

plus your boyfriend

and your ex-husband;

and we have pledged

to disappoint you

as long as you need us.

In announcing our

association

we realize we have

placed in your hands

a possible antidote

against uncertainty

indeed against ourselves.

But since our Thursday nights

have brought us

to a community

of purpose

rare in itself

with you as

the natural center,

we feel hopeful you

will continue to make unreasonable

demands for affection

if not as a consequence

of your disastrous personality

then for the good of the collective.

***

This book, so far, is like a breath of fresh air. I'm reading all the things that I have felt so deeply throughout my entire life, and it's validating. It gives me hope that I can actually do this, that I can become a successful, a real, writer.

More to come, I'm sure! I'm only on page 17.

4/15:

I have a burning desire to write a book. I attempt to work on this project, but I don't get very far. My friend Laurie is a writer (while I'm still just an aspiring one), and she recommended this book. I just ordered it from the library and I'm extremely excited to read my first book on writing. I'm sure I'll read many more before I achieve my goal of writing my own book. It's a step forward, a good starting point. I'm really excited.

Where I got the book: purchased from Amazon.

Perhaps I'm reading this highly regarded book in the writing community rather late in my life. Maybe if I had been a 20-year-old English major (which I wasn't), I would have adored this book. Its popularity might be due to the fact that it seems like the kind of writing-advice book that would be inevitably assigned as a required read in an MFA program. And that, in turn, could explain why a particular type of writer, when asked to offer writing advice, would sound precisely like Anne Lamott.

Maybe the issue is familiarity. I've heard so much of this before that it felt, well, tired. Write every day. Write from the heart. Discover your own voice. Or perhaps it's because I'm a 52-year-old recovering cynic and I'm a bit less passionate about the entire writing process. The idea of going on a 3-day alcohol (or later, eating) binge because your editor didn't like your book seems rather excessive. Paying a therapist to assist you in getting over your jealousy of your successful writer friends? Hmm, okay.

And Lamott's overly emotional prose style made me think of Anne Rice for some reason. Perhaps it's just because they both have the name Anne.

There were moments when I was touched and compelled to think about writing. So maybe one day I'll read "Bird by Bird" again and see if I can modify this initial impression. It could be that the valuable insights hidden within the neurotic babble are what make the book sparkle in the memories of so many writers. But in the end, I felt that I had learned a great deal more about Anne Lamott than I had about writing.

I can clearly understand why this book has gained such popularity. Lamott's writing style is truly engaging. She is not only funny but also self-deprecating, which makes her seem very relatable. Even when facing the cold and hard realities of life and writing, she remains encouraging.

She truly means what she states in the title. The book indeed sets out to provide valuable instructions on both writing and life. While there may be other books that cover the particulars of the writing craft in more detail, this one stands out for its ability to construe a writer's perspective.

I found her advice on making incremental progress, as represented by the concept of "bird by bird," to be extremely useful. The idea of getting something, anything, down on paper so that it can be refined in later drafts is a practical approach that many writers can benefit from. Additionally, her advice on finding characters, plot, voice, and truth from distinct parts of oneself is both inspiring and thought-provoking.

Another piece of advice that Lamott offered, which rang true to me, is that readers want to like the storyteller. I believe she achieved this goal to a large extent as she shared the story of her own literary life.

However, I did notice that every once in a while, it seemed like she had some favorite anecdotes that she forced into the narrative and they didn't quite fit. But this is a minor quibble. From my own perspective, a slightly bigger gripe was that at times, it felt like she was leading a touchy-feely seminar on self-actualization. Having never attended such a seminar, I'm only guessing, but it seemed like a characteristic that we might expect from certain Californians.

Nevertheless, I didn't let this detract from my overall experience of reading the book. And if you're looking for writing and life instruction that is both semi-practical and semi-inspirational, you shouldn't either.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in writing or looking for some inspiration in their lives.

I'd heard wonderful things about Anne Lamott and her spiritual style of writing. However, I was truly disappointed by this book.

I had supposed that I was expecting a memoir of writing similar to those by Stephen King, Norman Mailer, and Natalie Goldberg. Sadly, parts of the book seemed to drag on. Its style was enveloped in a sarcastic and negative view of life, and an even darker view of the writing life.

Her voice was also extremely kooky, and to me, it was borderline weird, although I'm certain that others would strongly disagree. Nevertheless, Lamott does have important things to say about writing, regarding plot, characters, and structure, which are all satisfying. But her tone simply didn't sit well with me.

After finishing it, I was left with a strange aftertaste. Small things bothered me, like her reference to small-animal sacrifices as a writing ritual in humor (I really didn't find it funny at all) and her portrayal of aromatherapy as some kind of New Age vodoo practice. It is far from that. The holistic therapy is the use of plant essential oils for numerous health conditions. It's entirely medicinal, no different from the herbs you buy at the natural market.

So I can't help but feel that at times she seemed insensitive, or even ignorant (about the aromatherapy, for instance). I had expected more from a writer of her caliber. Still, I do give her credit for her devotion to writing and to her writing students. She clearly is passionate and committed to the craft, and that comes through in her book. It just wasn't for me, but other readers may well connect with it.