Bird By Bird is Hilarious: (Class Reminder)

We're digging into it starting May 30

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(I added a couple of prompts to this post, so scroll down.)

Class Reminder

Our next live class begins on Friday, May 30th, at 11 AM Pacific. We’re going to be taking a deep dive into the classic writing manual, Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott. It it’s anything like the last class I ran, it will be full of friendly writers and lively discussion. And, of course, every class will be recorded (so long as I remember to hit the record button).

Do come join us. If you’re a paid member, you’re all set and you’ll get the first lesson and the zoom link next week. If not, sign up to get inspiration to take you directly to the page.

Here are links to the book:

Bookshop

Amazon

Note: I’m working off the 25th anniversary edition, which is the one listed in both links above. If you’re buying now, I recommend getting that same edition, too, so that we’ll all be on the same page, haha. But if you already own a different copy, feel free to use it.

Also, note: I’m running a special on annual memberships until June 26th. It’s 40% off! But you can also choose the monthly option to get access to the class.

One more note: Current paid members, if you’re planning on attending, email me or leave a comment below, so I can get a feel for how many people are planning to attend.

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Some Thoughts

I’m busy teaching in Wells, England, but in spare moments I’m reading Bird by Bird. I forgot how wonderfully hilarious it is. Lamott not only dispenses worthwhile writing advice, she does it in a warm, comedic tone that will make you run to the page. Which, in my opinion, is what writing books should do: make you long to write.

And here is a quote from the first chapter of the book that made me swoon with delight for how she expressed my love of writing and books. This is in response to her telling students that writing is hard and they have to do the work. They don’t like that response, they want to learn about getting an agent, and so they ask again, why are we bothering to write?

Because for some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, words that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die. They are full of all the things that you don’t get in real life—wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. And quality of attention: we may notice amazing details during the course of a day but we rarely let ourselves stop and really pay attention. And author makes you notice, makes you pay attention, and this is a great gift. My gratitude for good writing is unbounded: I’m grateful for it the way I’m grateful for the ocean. Aren’t you? I ask.

I’ll put out the first “lesson” on Tuesday, May 27, even if I’m still jet-lagged, because I love you so much I don’t want you to miss this book. And for those of you ready to get going, your assignment for week one is to read up to page 41, through the Polaroids chapter. (Of course you can keep going if you want, but these are the pages we will discuss.) The chapters are short and quick to read, so no excuses. And expect to hear me talk a lot about Shitty First Drafts and Short Assignments on the 30th. You’ll thank me for this, I promise.

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Bonus Prompts!

I feel like I should leave you with something, so here are a couple of prompts we’ve used in class this week to great effect:

—I come from a place that….

—I couldn’t believe it when…

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And one more thing

How about a photo of Chip the pug? I miss him terribly but he’s living his best life with my daughter’s family. (You can use him for a prompt, too.)