Book review Bird by bird - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Book review Bird by bird - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Ive just added Anne Lamott to my List of People Id Really Like To Meet. Having just read her book Bird by bird: Some instructions on writing and life, I think shes a nice person, interesting to be around and very wise. The book contains many, many tips for the aspiring writer. Not on the technical stuff, like how to put the words together or how to sell your finished book to a publisher, but more on how to live as a writer. She makes the excellent point, that a writers main ambition should not be to be published but to write, since that is what a writer does most of the time. Anne Lamott teaches writing, and this book is structured a little like some of her writing classes, and her description of the way her students react when she tells them that being published is not the answer to all their problems is hilarious. As is much of the book, actually. Her insight into herself and her uncompromising willingness to share those insights no matter how funny, embarassing or tragic is what gives this book its energy. Her two main tips on writing are: 1: Give yourself short assignments 2: Write shitty first drafts So, take on a small piece of the complete work at one time, and be willing to do really poorly in the first draft. Which is actually a good way to tackle many large projects. I recommend this book to any would-be writer and to all avid readers whod like some insight into the life of a writer. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related