Anne Lamott, author of "Bird by Bird," joined Mignon Fogarty on the Grammar Girl podcast to talk about writing. Lamott emphasizes that all writers struggle with bad first drafts and perfectionism, and encourages writers to find support through writing groups and communities. She shares her personal process for gathering ideas and editing her work, and encourages writers to be courageous and personal in their writing, drawing from their own experiences. Finally, Lamott discussed her upcoming Writer's Rising retreat, which aims to provide writers with a supportive community and resources to improve their craft.

Metadata

Summary

  • Anne Lamott, author of “Bird by Bird,” was interviewed on the Grammar Girl Podcast.
  • Lamott discussed her writing process, including her belief that all writers have bad first drafts, how to overcome perfectionism, and how to use personal experiences in writing.
  • Lamott shared her personal strategies for overcoming writer's block and for gathering and organizing writing ideas.
  • Lamott talked about her upcoming Writers Rising Retreat, which will take place in Hollywood, CA from 2024 October 25-27. There is an online option for those who can't attend in person.

What makes this novel or interesting

  • Lamott's advice is practical, down-to-earth, and humorous, and it demystifies the writing process.
  • She provides specific strategies that writers can use to improve their craft, such as joining a writing group, embracing imperfection, and finding inspiration in everyday life.
  • She emphasizes the importance of community and support for writers.

Verbatim Quotes

  • On first drafts: “They believe that writers they love write well. And that's just not true of any writer I've ever known, or who I'd ever want to sit next to at the dinner table.”
  • On writing as driving at night with the headlights on: "that great line of E.L. Doctorow who happens to be one of my favorite novelists. And he said, about 30 years ago, he said, 'Writing is like driving at night with the headlights on. You can only see a little ways in front of you, but you can make the whole journey that way.'"
  • On getting feedback: “But it's ultimately your book. And there's a chapter in "Bird by Bird" called "Broccoli," and it's about a great line that Mel Brooks said, you know, 50 years ago on "The 2,000 Year Old Man." He said, “Listen to your broccoli, and your broccoli will tell you how to eat it.”
  • On the importance of reading: “You read and you read and you read. You read stuff that might be similar in some way to yours. It might be autobiographical fiction. It might be historical fiction. It might be, but you read how other people did it, and you study it and you write it, like my dad said, in your own voice, but you see how people get it to work.”
  • On writing from personal experience: “And I've always said, if people wanted you to write more warmly about them, they should have behaved better.”
  • On the importance of community for writers: “You know, and a collective can make you really hungry to get it's like being a monk, you're going to get a couple hours of work done every day, and you're going to join with the other monks once a week or once every two weeks or whatever. And so it's just like energy and movement and other people's friendly eyes and other people who think you're really good.”

How to report this in the news

In a recent episode of the Grammar Girl podcast, beloved author Anne Lamott had some tough, but encouraging words for writers. Comparing the writing process to a spiritual journey, Lamott reminded listeners to find joy in community and embrace imperfection. Her new book, “Bird by Bird,” encourages writers to take their work “one step at a time.” If you want to hear more from Lamott, check out her Writer’s Rising Retreat, with online and in-person options.

Detailed Recap

for Writers and Editors

  • Overcoming Writer's Block
    • View writer's block as an opportunity for reflection and gathering new material.
    • Take practical actions, such as jumping ahead to a different part of the story or adding a new character.
    • Don't be afraid to step away from your work for a while to allow your creativity to replenish.
  • The Importance of Shitty First Drafts
    • Accept that all writers, even the most successful ones, struggle with bad first drafts.
    • Don't let perfectionism prevent you from getting your ideas down on paper.
    • View first drafts as a necessary step in the writing process, not a reflection of your abilities.
  • Finding Support Through Writing Groups
    • Join a writing group or community to connect with other writers and receive feedback on your work.
    • Find a group that is supportive and encouraging, not overly critical.
    • Use the group as a source of motivation and accountability.
  • Gathering and Organizing Writing Ideas
    • Carry a notebook or index cards with you to jot down ideas as they come.
    • Don't rely solely on technology for note-taking, as writing by hand can be more indelible.
    • Develop a system for organizing your notes so you can easily refer back to them.
  • Embracing Personal Experiences in Writing
    • Draw inspiration from your own life experiences, both positive and negative.
    • Don't be afraid to be personal and vulnerable in your writing.
    • Use fiction as a way to explore sensitive topics without revealing too much.
  • Editing Your Work
    • Find a trusted reader or editor to provide feedback on your work.
    • Be open to constructive criticism, but ultimately trust your own instincts.
    • Know when to stop editing and let your work go.