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Bird by Bird - Book Review |
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Book Reviews -
Writing and Other Creative Topics
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Written by Jennifer Thompson
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 Bird
by Bird,
by Anne Lamott
In the world of writing, there are many, many, MANY books to choose
from for the writer looking for guidance, how-toÌs and inspiration.
But Bird
by Bird, by Anne Lamott, is a book that speaks from the heart
and teaches without sounding like a textbook. I love this book and treasure
it as one of my favorite books on the writing craft.
Anne Lamott offers concrete suggestions for getting those creative writing
juices flowing, and she is always encouraging - never phony. She is
down-to-earth, at times self-deprecating and at all times genuine. I
love this quote from her: ÏAlmost all good writing begins with
terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere.Ó I read that
and it hit me - sheÌs right! We donÌt have to seek perfection,
or even something good, with that very first writing÷we simply
need to get something down on paper. Bird
by Bird is written for anyone who feels that longing to write,
to put words down on paper. And she says this about it:
ÏBut it is fantasy to think that successful writers do not have
these bored, defeated hours, these hours of deep insecurity when one
feels as small and jump as a water bug. They do. But they also often
feel a great sense of amazement that they get to write, and they know
that this is what they want to do or the rest of their lives. And so
if one of your heartÌs deepest longings is to write, there
are ways to get your work done, and a number of reasons why it is important
to do so.Ó
And then the rest of the book goes on to talk about the howÌs and
whyÌs of sitting down with yourself each day and writing. The book
is divided into five parts:
Writing
The Writing Frame of Mind
Help Along the Way
Publication Ò and Other Reasons to Write
The Last Class
Each section has its own topics, like ÏShitty First DraftsÓ,
ÏHow Do You Know When YouÌre Done?Ó and ÏThe
Moral Point of ViewÓ. Because I tend to be a perfectionist,
her words about perfectionism Ò Ïthe voice of the oppressor,
the enemy of the peopleÓ - particularly resonate with me.
I really ought to mention the section ÏShort AssignmentsÓ
too. Read it, and youÌll understand the title of the book.
And the lesson will stick with you, I promise.
I love how Anne ends her book: ÏThe best thing about being
an artist, instead of a madman or someone who writes letters to
the editor, is that you get to engage in satisfying work. Even
if you never publish a word, you have something important to pour
yourself into.Ó IsnÌt that the truth? IsnÌt that
what anyone who yearns to write really feels? I know I do. Bird
by Bird is absolutely one of my favorite books on the
art of writing.
Copyright
2002
This review is available for reprint.
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