Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lamott has a great balance between instruction and humor. The book is entertaining, funny, and contains a lot of helpful instruction for writers of various levels. I especially liked the chapter on characters. Very helpful.

I also liked Lamott’s take on writer’s block. She suggests it’s not a blockage. Rather, it’s simply emptiness. When ideas stop flowing it’s because the well is dry and the solution is to fill it back up. Stop writing and start observing.

Her ABCD… tip for writing short stories is also a useful guide.

The narrator does an outstanding job. She captures to tone of the book perfectly.

I am a conservative Christian, so I didn’t enjoy the frequent obscenities and profanities or the crude sexual humor.