📚 I’ve been told that books light me up. Fiction and non-fiction. Ones that are new to me and ones that I’m rereading.

This month I want to talk about a book that was recommended on LinkedIn in 2023 and has been steadily climbing my book pile.

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.

Memoir and writing guide

Bird by Bird combines memoir and writing guide. Plenty of useful ideas for writers, couched in engaging stories.

You’re not going to get grammar advice here.

There are cracking chapters on dialogue and ‘Set Design’ though.

This book will invite you into a writer’s world and help you experience some of their feelings.

What does the title mean?

The title comes from a time when the author’s brother was overwhelmed by a school project about birds. There was a great deal of information.

Their father told him to just take it bird by bird.

Sensible advice that can apply to so many situations.

Sharing your writing

Anne Lamott talks about sharing her books with one or two people before she sends them to her editor or publisher:

‘Theoretically I could do it alone, but it sure makes it easier to have people helping.’

This may be a family member or a close friend. I’ve heard these referred to as ‘alpha readers’ before.

And there was a whole chapter about writing groups, and the way that those connections can grow and become valuable.

Publication

Anne Lamott’s comments on publication struck a chord with me. I thought of conversations I’ve had with authors as publication approaches.

She said, ‘There is something mythic about the date of publication, and you actually come to believe that on this one particular morning you will wake up to a phone ringing off the hook’.

Your readers and everyone who’s supported you through to publication will be excited too!

Though, as Anne Lamott shares, the actual date may not lead to incessant phone calls…

The most important thought for me was that you ‘acquire a rank that you never lose. Now you’re a published writer’.

Recognising this achievement is so important after all the time and energy spent on writing a book and preparing it for publication.

What lights me up?

Anne Lamott’s stories are memorable, always make her point, and are enjoyable to read. The way she describes the act of writing, and what you can gain from it, gives me a great insight into how authors feel as they write their books. That lights me up 💡

#BooksLightMeUp

#Editing

#Proofreading

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📚 I’m Lisa. I’m an editor and proofreader, specialising in business books and fiction. I spent many years as a chartered accountant before retraining as an editor and proofreader. Now I get to embrace my degree in English lit! I’d love to connect with your book too. Drop me an email or book an editorial cuppa if you'd like to chat..