Bird by Bird — Book Review
Bird by Bird
A Review
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott, has been in print for over two decades and continues to remain relevant in today’s writing world. My experience with Lamott’s work is limited, having only recently completed Bird by Bird. However, the importance of this book and her work have been recommended to me for many years. I’ve read several books on the craft of writing and what it means (and takes) to be a writer. Yet, no book has struck me as more valuable than Lamott’s. In all honesty, I wish I would’ve read it sooner.
I found Bird by Bird to be extremely relatable in regards to the mental frustrations of being a writer. Lamott breaks down the book into easy-to-read sections, including Writing, The Writing Frame Of Mind, Help Along The Way, Publication — And Other Reasons To Write, and The Last Class. She discusses several essential recommendations for writing, and details these in an easy to understand form. I found one such example on page 141, where Lamott is talking about advancing timelines. She states, “It’s a wonderful feeling when you’re reading something by someone else, and the writer has aged exactly the right detail so that you know the story is picking up again sometime later. Sometimes the seasons change, or children start school, or beards grow long, or pets go gray.” This passage resonated with me as I am reading a memoir for another class, and the author has beautifully used the technique of changing seasons to inform the reader that time has passed.
Although this is an instructional book on writing, it also seems to be part memoir. Lamott often weaves in personal stories with her recommendations for writing and life, reiterating whatever point she is trying to get across. The reader understands that Lamott has been there as a writer, and while often noting her writer friends, has an understanding of the common anxieties and shared difficulties of being one.
In Bird by Bird, Lamott dispenses guidance on writing that can be used for both fiction and nonfiction writing. She does bring up specifics of both, such as starting with writing one’s childhood, if the writer is feeling stuck. Lamott discusses creating your hero and villain, making them both relatable and not giving all to one major character. I found that the information she provides on fiction can also be used for creative nonfiction. Lamott explains a writing formula obtained from Alice Adams that uses the first five letters of the alphabet. She explains, “A formula can be a great way to get started. And it feels so great finally to dive into the water; maybe you splash around and flail for a while, but at least you’re in” (62–63).
During the book, Lamott often mentions her writing students, reflecting on what they want to know from her and how this translates into future writing careers. I have found myself asking similar questions that she reports her students ask her, thus leaving me feeling as though I was a student of hers in some sense. I found her use of language to be both beautiful and hysterical. She captivates the reader, painting an image in one’s mind, and putting into words what someone has felt. On page 155, when discussing a workshop she led, she quotes, “The author of the story scanned the ceiling, as if he had heard the drone of approaching mosquitos.”
I often felt like she had journeyed inside my own mind and was reflecting on what she’d discovered. One such quote was, “Also, an occupational hazard of writing is that you’ll have bad days. You feel not only totally alone but also that everyone else is at a party,” (157).
When discussing negative aspects of one’s psyche, Lamott refers to this as radio station KFKD. I won’t spoil what Lamott has to say about KFKD but felt this section of the book helped me to feel less isolated as a writer. As Lamott talks jealousy, it’s clear to see that she knows the subject well, “You are going to want to throw yourself down the back stairs, especially if the person is a friend,” (123).
Being able to relate to Lamott is one of my favorite things about Bird by Bird. She discusses topics such as how to get started writing, expecting terrible first drafts, and wanting to be perfect. I found a lot of this book to be a pep talk of sorts, with Lamott encouraging the reader to listen and trust themselves.
Lamott touches on the art of writing as a mode of human connection, digging deeper into the ethics of writing. She states, “The purpose of most great writing seems to be to reveal in an ethical light who we are,” (104). She then goes on to discuss how we can more fully understand ourselves and make sense of the world by writing, which is something I have encountered for myself.
As a reader walking into this book relatively naive to what I’d discover, Bird by Bird exceeded my expectations. It was funny and relatable, easy to comprehend, packed with valuable information, and leaves one feeling more understood and willing to undertake the tedious, yet rewarding journey of writing.
Bird by Bird was light on information regarding the technical side of writing, yet I do not see this as a shortcoming. I think this book was written exactly as it should have been. Other books include more logistical information on writing, and they do it well. But, I do not believe that Bird by Bird was intended to be that type of a book.
The title for Lamott’s book comes from some advice her father gave to her brother when he was struggling to write a last-minute school assignment. Her brother was to identify and describe various types of birds, but became overwhelmed with the work. Her father’s advice was to take the assignment bird by bird.
There is so much pertinent information on how this book has both touched and encouraged me to continue writing, if only bird by bird. Lamott’s imprint on writers and the writing world extends beyond this book, but I believe this is likely one of her most important works. I would highly recommend this book to all those who write or aspire to write. Creatives of any field will likely be able to deduct meaning from Bird by Bird. This is a book I will be able to revisit often, and feel I can come away as a more fearless and confident writer.
