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Bird by Bird : Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott (1995, Trade Paperback)
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- Buy It NowBird by Bird Anne Lamott 1995 Writing Memoir PB Bestseller Advice Author Tips
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About this product
Product Identifiers
PublisherKnopf Doubleday Publishing Group
ISBN-100385480016
ISBN-139780385480017
eBay Product ID (ePID)130866
Product Key Features
Number of Pages256 Pages
Publication NameBird by Bird : Some Instructions on Writing and Life
LanguageEnglish
SubjectPersonal & Practical Guides, Style Manuals, Authorship, Composition & Creative Writing
Publication Year1995
FeaturesReprint
TypeTextbook
AuthorAnne Lamott
Subject AreaRéférence, Language Arts & Disciplines
FormatTrade Paperback
Dimensions
Item Height0.7 in
Item Weight9.2 Oz
Item Length8 in
Item Width5.2 in
Additional Product Features
Intended AudienceTrade
LCCN95-010225
Reviews"Superb writing advice... hilarious, helpful and provocative." -- New York Times Book Review . "A warm, generous and hilarious guide through the writer's world and its treacherous swamps." -- Los Angeles Times . "A gift to all of us mortals who write or ever wanted to write... sidesplittingly funny, patiently wise and alternately cranky and kind -- a reveille to get off our duffs and start writing now , while we still can." -- Seattle Times ., "Superb writing advice... hilarious, helpful and provocative." --New York Times Book Review. "A warm, generous and hilarious guide through the writer's world and its treacherous swamps." --Los Angeles Times. "A gift to all of us mortals who write or ever wanted to write... sidesplittingly funny, patiently wise and alternately cranky and kind -- a reveille to get off our duffs and start writingnow, while we still can." --Seattle Times. From the Trade Paperback edition., "Superb writing advice... hilarious, helpful and provocative." --New York Times Book Review. "A warm, generous and hilarious guide through the writer's world and its treacherous swamps." --Los Angeles Times. "A gift to all of us mortals who write or ever wanted to write... sidesplittingly funny, patiently wise and alternately cranky and kind -- a reveille to get off our duffs and start writingnow, while we still can." --Seattle Times.
Dewey Edition20
Dewey Decimal808/.02
Edition DescriptionReprint
SynopsisFor a quarter century, more than a million readers--scribes and scribblers of all ages and abilities--have been inspired by Anne Lamott's hilarious, big-hearted, homespun advice. Advice that begins with the simple words of wisdom passed down from Anne's father--also a writer--in the iconic passage that gives the book its title: "Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he'd had three months to write. It was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother's shoulder, and said, 'Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.'" An essential volume for generations of writers young and old, Bird by Bird is a modern classic. This twenty-fifth anniversary edition will continue to spark creative minds for years to come., An essential volume for generations of writers young and old, Bird by Bird is a modern classic. This twenty-fifth anniversary edition will continue to spark creative minds for years to come. For a quarter century, more than a million readers--scribes and scribblers of all ages and abilities--have been inspired by Anne Lamott's hilarious, big-hearted, homespun advice. Advice that begins with the simple words of wisdom passed down from Anne's father--also a writer--in the iconic passage that gives the book its title: "Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he'd had three months to write. It was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother's shoulder, and said, 'Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.'", NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * An essential volume for generations of writers young and old. The twenty-fifth anniversary edition of this modern classic will continue to spark creative minds for years to come. Anne Lamott is "a warm, generous, and hilarious guide through the writer's world and its treacherous swamps" ( Los Angeles Times ). "Superb writing advice.... Hilarious, helpful, and provocative." -- The New York Times Book Review For a quarter century, more than a million readers--scribes and scribblers of all ages and abilities--have been inspired by Anne Lamott's hilarious, big-hearted, homespun advice. Advice that begins with the simple words of wisdom passed down from Anne's father--also a writer--in the iconic passage that gives the book its title: "Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he'd had three months to write. It was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother's shoulder, and said, 'Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.'"
LC Classification NumberPN147.L315 1995
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Ratings and Reviews
Most relevant reviews
- Jun 25, 2023Top favorable review
Insightful take on the challenges and rewards of being a writer.
With so many "how to" books on the market that focus on the structural formulas of writing, this is a refreshing read that deals more with the mindset and emotional journey involved with being a writer. Lamott is relatable and humorous while being entirely realistic. She does not suggest that by following her advice, one will emerge a successful and lucrative author. Rather, she quite clearly iterates that pursuing a career as a writer is perhaps the last reason one should choose to write. Even published authors struggle to make a living from the craft and getting published twice can be compared to lightning striking. Lamott inspires one to carry on writing for the love of it and not the promise that it will lead to wealth and fame.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Apr 07, 2021Top critical review
A little too "Used."
I bought this book knowing full well that it was used, but did not expect it to be so completely marked up. Lots of highlighter on almost every page. Post-it stickies left all over the book. Would have greatly appreciated it if those had at least been removed.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Aug 30, 2017
The Title Says It All
This book was copyrighted in 1994 and still receives strong reviews and is referenced by other writers on instruction and writing technique. I have seen references in a Writer's Digest audio course from a writing seminar and at least two references in books on writing. The title is a good summary of content. It is a mix of writing instruction in the form of anecdotes from the author's life and other writers along with an insider's view of the writing life. The examples are not step-by-step procedures for moving drafts from one stage to the next, but summaries of techniques, why they work, and why to use them. Her chapter on "Plot Treatment" was a cautionary tale where she delved into how writers and editors can see things differently and what can go disastrously wrong before they get better. If writer's can be split between those of plotters or non-plotters, I suspect this is a book by a non-plotter; one where you are sharing the emotion and journey to success. An alternate approach might be one taken by James Scott Bell in "Plot and Structure" which is very technique oriented with step-by-step methods. They are both good and useful books that show a different approach to writing from two different camps. My overall take is "Bird by Bird" is a must read early in a writing career as it has high-level concepts to steer you in the right direction and explains many of the hardships and pitfalls of the writing life. It is at times poignant, funny, instructional, and reflective. If you get one thing from this book it would be that if you can motivate yourself to start writing and never quit, you will succeed.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Oct 22, 2015
A must-read for writers
This is one of the best books I've ever read on writing. Funny, compelling, practical, whimsical--I laughed out loud many times, but mostly I felt deeply connected to the content, like the author and I had been on the same journey, or at the very least, walked some of the same paths.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Sep 18, 2019
Bird By Bird
This book gives any writer or journalist tips to the creative task of written expression. Even if you are not a “writer” destined to write your first novella, the author’s tips, with her wit and wisdom, will open your senses to apply your choice of creative expression. Whether it is writing, art, music, etc., the written creative avenue parallels the creative process.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Mar 07, 2017
Finally reading this and finding it has great concrete advice for all of writing's challenges
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Aug 10, 2020
A book with practical ideas to help would be writers. I found it to be inspirational with lots of good suggestions that have helped me start writing.
Book was a good value, in good shape, and I'm glad I bought it.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Mar 15, 2016
Worth every letter
I was never a good student but I recently have been compelled to write a book. I could barely write a sentence, then that turned into a paragraph, one page, 10 pages. Etc. She gets into the nitty gritty on the creative process, how to manage the doubt and insecurities that come up. Excellent read for anyone contemplating on writing.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Jun 07, 2017
Bought it used, but...
They could have at least unfolded the corners of the 20 pages folded together.. Shipped promptly. Appreciated.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Aug 23, 2017
Great for writing.
It's such a fun and witty book to help you with your writing. We use this book as one of our textbooks in my college class and it is my favorite textbook!Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
