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Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life Paperback – 15 August 2014

by Anne Lamott (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 7,658 ratings
#1 Best Seller in Journalism Textbooks
Edition: 1st
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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.'"
Previous page
  1. ISBN-10
    0385480016
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0385480017
  3. Edition
    1st
  4. Publisher
    KNOPF US
  5. Publication date
    15 August 2014
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    20.3 x 13.2 x 1.38 cm
  8. Print length
    256 pages
  9. See all details
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Popular Highlights in this book
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Previous page
  1. Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft.
    Highlighted by 6,795 Kindle readers
  2. One of the gifts of being a writer is that it gives you an excuse to do things, to go places and explore. Another is that writing motivates you to look closely at life, at life as it lurches by and tramps around.
    Highlighted by 5,794 Kindle readers
  3. She said that sometimes she uses a formula when writing a short story, which goes ABDCE, for Action, Background, Development, Climax, and Ending.
    Highlighted by 5,432 Kindle readers
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From the brand

Product description

Review

"Superb writing advice. . . . Hilarious, helpful, and provocative."
--The New York Times Book Review

"A warm, generous, and hilarious guide through the writer's world and its treacherous swamps."
--Los Angeles Times

"One of the funniest books on writing ever published."
--The Christian Science Monitor

"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

"Bird by Bird would be worth reading just for Lamott's ele- gant, moving, and often-hilarious prose. But the advice she offers is just as fantastic as the style with which it's delivered."
--Forbes

"Anne Lamott understands better than anyone that writers need help. . . . She writes so well, in fact, that it's hard to believe that she, too, has trouble with writing. That's what's so deeply comforting about this book."
--The Wall Street Journal

"Deftly and honestly explores the mental challenges of being a writer. . . . Lamott's advice is, simply put, invaluable."
--Bustle

"[Lamott] uses her writing exercises or lessons as a way to help us more deeply understand ourselves and the human condition in all its messiness. If you're looking for sense-making and meaning during this deeply destabilizing time, this book is timeless."
--Elise Hu, TED Talks Daily

"Delight[s] with insight and descriptive acumen. This humorous, insightful, no-nonsense approach will remind novices why they are writing."
--Kirkus Reviews

"Offers unique inspiration. . . . An honest appraisal of what it takes to be a writer and why it matters so much."
--Library Journal

From the Back Cover

"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.'"

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ KNOPF US; 1st edition (15 August 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0385480016
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0385480017
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 20.3 x 13.2 x 1.38 cm
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 7,658 ratings

About the author

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Anne Lamott

Anne Lamott

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Anne Lamott is the New York Times bestselling author of Help, Thanks, Wow; Small Victories; Stitches; Some Assembly Required; Grace (Eventually); Plan B; Traveling Mercies; Bird by Bird; Operating Instructions, and the forthcoming Hallelujah Anyway. She is also the author of several novels, including Imperfect Birds and Rosie. A past recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and an inductee to the California Hall of Fame, she lives in Northern California.

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4.6 out of 5
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Top reviews from Australia

Happy Storyteller
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous, generous read
Reviewed in Australia on 4 February 2021
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Bird by Bird has been quoted and recommended at every writing group/course/workshop I have attended. So I avoided it, expecting it would be dry and instructional. Having just finished it, I feel very buoyed. Full of writing tips and encouragements, it was unexpectedly warm and quite humorous. Very easy to read and so I recommend it, too.
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John A. Crawford
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb reading! More than just amusing.
Reviewed in Australia on 4 May 2021
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A beautiful mix of candour and comedy undergirded by self disclosure that honours the reader because you feel like you know the writer. It will be one of the few books I will reread. If there were six stars I would give it.
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Renee
4.0 out of 5 stars Writing and Life - one step at a time
Reviewed in Australia on 12 September 2016
I began my writing journey last year, fairly unprepared. I read a lot, and on a whim, decided I would have a go at writing the book that I want to read. Since then, I've been working my way through a pile of books and blogs full of writing tips. This is a book I've seen recommended several times by authors I admire, so I bought the audiobook.

I enjoyed the laid back, conversational style. It's not a dry list of rules, it's full of anecdotes and entertaining stories. Most of the advice matched up with what I've read elsewhere and it was good to have it cemented in my mind.

One step at a time.
2 people found this helpful
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Karl Rudd
5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, dark, warm, inciteful, inspiring
Reviewed in Australia on 16 March 2017
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I had heard this book was good and now I know why. If you are a writer, especially if you tend toward the melancholy or pessimistic side of things, this is a book you will treasure. Anne's warm, sharp, sarcastic, sometimes dark, sense of humour makes you laugh, even as you come to understand more about what "being a writer" is all about. I found much of the book incited a sort of vicarious catharsis. This is definitely a book to be savoured and quoted. There are not many books I read over and over, but this is one I will.
3 people found this helpful
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donna
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book
Reviewed in Australia on 22 January 2019
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What a gifted writer. I am at a time in my life when I want to seriously start writing my first novel. This author has taught me so much. Her book will become my writing bible. I have read other books about writing, but they were not as real. Highly recommended.
One person found this helpful
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Michael
5.0 out of 5 stars Had me laughing out loud
Reviewed in Australia on 4 March 2021
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Amazing book, loved the authors writing style, and it had me laughing a lot, throughly enjoyed it
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susan
5.0 out of 5 stars A great book that will help any budding writer.
Reviewed in Australia on 4 December 2019
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I loved this book. An honest book of stories that help the reader understand the writing process and the reality. Writing is a job like any other. It requires commitment, tenacity, research and imagination.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and encouraging
Reviewed in Australia on 11 August 2017
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A down to earth, hilarious and heart felt book about being a writer and why one would ever choose to run that gauntlet with eyes wide open. Thank you Anne! I had lost sight of the WHY. Reading your book has put me back on the roller coaster with renewed excitement.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Sheldon Kotyk
5.0 out of 5 stars awesome
Reviewed in Canada on 10 April 2024
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Great advice on writing and made me laugh as well. Highly recommended for anyone that needs to tell a story.
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Reddog Books
5.0 out of 5 stars motivation!
Reviewed in the United States on 3 April 2024
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Funny, informative, and motivating, this guide to the writer's life is as important now as it was when first released. A classic work by a terrific writer.
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Madhuri
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring
Reviewed in India on 17 November 2023
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Writer’s block, slump, depression, self doubt or just starting to write? This book helps you find your rhythm and begin. Funny with great ideas and interesting anecdotes from the author’s large makes this an enjoyable non fiction. To be re-read repeatedly.
One person found this helpful
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Antonia Benet Badia
5.0 out of 5 stars Precioso
Reviewed in Spain on 29 September 2023
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Un muy buen libro, sobre todo para los amantes de la lectura.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, concise, funny
Reviewed in Germany on 11 May 2023
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Such an easy read! So practical and heartfelt. I recommend it for lifting your spirits and not give up on writing.
One person found this helpful
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