In 1995, a writing workshop professor wrote a book about what it means to be a writer.
It was called "Bird by Bird."
The book became an instant best-seller, and today continues to sell hundreds of thousands of copies.
Why?
Because inside are 10 timeless pieces of advice 🧵👇
It was called "Bird by Bird."
The book became an instant best-seller, and today continues to sell hundreds of thousands of copies.
Why?
Because inside are 10 timeless pieces of advice 🧵👇
Lesson #1: Just start.
"As the story begins, you are learning what you AREN'T writing, and this is helping you to find out what you ARE writing."
Writers rarely know where things are going when they begin.
This is the fun of putting pen to paper.
As you write, you discover.
"As the story begins, you are learning what you AREN'T writing, and this is helping you to find out what you ARE writing."
Writers rarely know where things are going when they begin.
This is the fun of putting pen to paper.
As you write, you discover.
Lesson #2: You can't love being published. You have to love creating.
Lamott, the author, taught many writing workshops for eager-eyed students.
Their questions were always the same: "How do I get a book deal? How do I find an agent?"
But the writing has to come first.
Lamott, the author, taught many writing workshops for eager-eyed students.
Their questions were always the same: "How do I get a book deal? How do I find an agent?"
But the writing has to come first.
Lesson #3: Characters are people, not props.
"Knowledge of your characters also emerges the way a Polaroid develops: it takes time for you to know them."
Which means the best dialogue does not reinforce the narrative you want to push.
It has to represent life itself.
"Knowledge of your characters also emerges the way a Polaroid develops: it takes time for you to know them."
Which means the best dialogue does not reinforce the narrative you want to push.
It has to represent life itself.
Lesson #4: All great writing begins with terrible first efforts.
"A friend of mine says the first draft is the down draft—you just get it down."
"The second draft is the up draft—you fix it up."
"And the third draft is the dental draft, where you check every tooth."
"A friend of mine says the first draft is the down draft—you just get it down."
"The second draft is the up draft—you fix it up."
"And the third draft is the dental draft, where you check every tooth."
Lesson #5: Your outline will not hold. Things will change as you go.
"Everyone I know flails around, kvetching and growing despondent, on the way to finding a plot and structure that work."
Writing is rarely a linear process.
You start. You wander. You sigh. You keep going.
"Everyone I know flails around, kvetching and growing despondent, on the way to finding a plot and structure that work."
Writing is rarely a linear process.
You start. You wander. You sigh. You keep going.
Lesson #6: You know you're done when you have nothing left to say.
"This is a question my students always ask. I don't quite know how to answer it. How do you know when you're done? You just do."
You have sat with the topic long enough, and the itch has stopped.
"This is a question my students always ask. I don't quite know how to answer it. How do you know when you're done? You just do."
You have sat with the topic long enough, and the itch has stopped.
Lesson #7: Where does great writing come from? Everywhere.
"There is ecstasy in paying attention."
When Lamott was a food review writer, she would bring friends to a restaurant and jot down anything interesting they said about the food.
Then, those notes became her columns.
"There is ecstasy in paying attention."
When Lamott was a food review writer, she would bring friends to a restaurant and jot down anything interesting they said about the food.
Then, those notes became her columns.
Lesson #8: Your intuition knows, even if you don't.
Don't think logically. Think spontaneously.
• What comes to mind?
• What does that make you think of?
• What do you see happening next?
Don't censor yourself. Follow your intuition, and it'll make sense later.
Don't think logically. Think spontaneously.
• What comes to mind?
• What does that make you think of?
• What do you see happening next?
Don't censor yourself. Follow your intuition, and it'll make sense later.
Lesson #9: Trust that the important details will survive into the next draft.
Writers obsess over remembering *everything.*
Making sure they don't forget *each and every little detail.*
Really, the details that matter won't leave the story. They will appear again and again.
Writers obsess over remembering *everything.*
Making sure they don't forget *each and every little detail.*
Really, the details that matter won't leave the story. They will appear again and again.
Lesson #10: Don't get overwhelmed. Take it slow, bird by bird.
The title of the book comes from a family story: her brother, the night before a book report is due on birds.
Her father says to her brother, arm around him, "Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird."
The title of the book comes from a family story: her brother, the night before a book report is due on birds.
Her father says to her brother, arm around him, "Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird."
And if you're looking to get writing online yourself, here's a resource to get you started:
startwritingonline.com
startwritingonline.com
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