Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

1994 • 237 pages

Ratings157

Average rating4.2

15

Anne Lamott gives her perspective on the art and work of writing. The title comes from a family story when her brother had to complete a report on birds. He put it off until the last minute and was overwhelmed. Her father counseled him saying they would take it, "Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird."


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Popular Reviews

Reviews with the most likes.

Thrice I've read this now, discounting the dozens of other times I've gone back to it, opened a random page and breathed a sigh of relief.

This is as much a philosophical text as it is about writing. I know that I will go back to it again and again.

April 4, 2022

Some good tips obscured within a memoir, it feels dated, kinda shallow, nothing new really. Drowning in metaphors (;)). I couldn't relate to her personality. Probably better suited for lit-fic/creative nonfic writers.

July 13, 2022

There's a reason it's a classic, if you're a writer you should read this.

September 12, 2017

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