One of the fellows at work heard that I was an aspiring writer, and he recommended (and more importantly, lent me) Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott. In the last few years, I've read a few books on writing (hated Reading Like a Writer by the ironically named Francine Prose) and literature interpretation (loved How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster), but this is by far the best I've ingested thus far. I think it has to do with the tone. Like Foster, Lamott has a light, confessional tone. I feel like a confidant and friend when I read the book, rather than an incompetent, bumbling fool.
"Oh, so everyone writes a shitty first draft," I smiled when I read the chapter called Shitty First Drafts. I mean, I knew that intellectually, but it was nice to see a successful writer commit it to print.
Lamott is funny and generous in sharing her experiences and lessons learned. Although I have a zillion other things I need to be doing, I am savoring every morsel of this book. Lamott offers up the goods. Just thought I'd share.
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That is one of my favorite books. I love her section on the radio station that plays in your head -- K-Fucked.
ReplyDeletei've read other anne lamott, but not that one. i'll have to add it to my list (including the bbc books list i added in a facebook note yesterday).
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the Anne Lamott book but I violently disagree with your characterization of yourself as an "aspiring writer." You are A PUBLISHED AUTHOR. No aspiration about it.
ReplyDeleteI think KFKD is always blaring in my head, hence the continued description of myself as "aspiring." Really, all of us bloggers - published or not - are writers. If anyone suggested that you, or Kara, or Mar or whoever was not a writer, I'd whip out my sword and challenge them to a duel. Yet with me, I'd hang me hang and say, "Yeah, I'm working on it." Damn KFKD!
ReplyDeleteI adore her and her writing. I had to read that in Undergrad for my creative writing class at Iowa. I believe her works are a staple (or were) at the writer's workshop.
ReplyDeleteThat makes so much sense. I wish I had read this earlier.
ReplyDeleteYou're the third person in a week to recommend this book. I'm going to have to buy it now.
ReplyDelete*snort* my word captcha is whora, which is making me giggle madly.
I ordered the Lamott book last night on your recommendation -- and the fact that my favorite This American Life ever is the one that features her, Sarah Vowell, and David Sedaris -- what could be better?
ReplyDeleteI love Sarah Vowell, too. You'll have to let me know what you think of the Lamott book.
ReplyDeleteOoh, just discovered your blog, now permanently bookmarked.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I rekindle my half-hatched plans to Write, I chant to myself, "shitty first drafts, shitty first drafts, ..." That's the only way I can do it. Thanks for reminding me about KFKD, I'm going to re-read that chapter. This book was recommended to me by my HS Spanish teacher, about 10 yrs ago. Thanks, Senorita!
I loved this one. Read it a couple of years ago. Keep looking for a copy of it at secondhand book stores (I will, eventually, just break down and buy it new). Have you read Stephen King's On Writing? It's also really good. (Seriously.)
ReplyDeletepicked up the book at the library on the way home tonight.
ReplyDeleteoddly, i also picked up a david sedaris book, too.
Sassymonkey, I love Stephen King. I've been meaning to read "On Writing" for ages.
ReplyDeleteMar, let me know what you think of the Lamott book!
I read the first drafts chapter to my middle school students as "Crappy First Drafts." And I make sure they know that "crappy" is a bad word, bc I don't want them talking like that. "Crap" is really an ugly word. Anyway.
ReplyDeleteI also love her book Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year. You don't have to have kids to appreciate it- I read it 8 years ago just after college- because it's all about her sick sense of humor! I had to stop reading it on the bike at the gym because it made me laugh and I did not want to look like a freak. It's also the book I read to cheer myself up if I am despondent.
Well, I'm definitely adding that book to my must read list now. I love her humor!
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