On - "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott.

"Bird by Bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird." - Anne Lamott. Some instructions on writing and life. 

Anne Lamott to me in the book "Bird by Bird" talks profoundly about taking things slowly. 

Not just with writing but with life itself. The first time we her illustrate this concept is in the book title itself. The title is mentioned in this story as part of a piece of advice her brother is given by her father.

"Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird" - when you read this book you come to realise that the advice is to do with a school project that her brother has to do. A classic case of procrastination leads him to completing the project in one night. 

Essentially Anne takes on the concept that life could be seen like this as well "bird by bird" or "day by day" or for any writers out there "as many shitty first drafts as it takes"

Her book has more terms such as "shitty first drafts" to explain to her students or anyone wanting to learn about writing, ways of imagining what it takes to write. What it takes to be a better writer. 

Writing isn't simply just a way to try and get published. If you were a writer you would write just to write. It isn't necessarily meant to be about having something in print with your name on it. 

The point is to practice writing. To join writer's groups, to gain feedback and essentially continue to learn how to be a stronger writer. 

Her book is set in chapters as though she is teaching her class and understanding most of her students want some form of recognition for what they do. As though you need it to become a writer. She goes against this idea as she is wanting her students to learn about the work that goes into writing. 

For some people it isn't just recognition when being published that is on their minds. She makes the point of being cautious of this because it isn't necessarily the best option. 

As well as this, this book reads like a story and not like a list of instructions. It keeps the reader engaged. It helps the reader to understand the importance of doing a good job. 

The reward is in being patient. Just like in life. I feel like more than ever we all need to remind ourselves of this. Frustrated with lockdown, wearing masks and hoping for the situation to end - that is the goal. 

This goal, will be worth having if we are patient enough to endure this time. There are so many many memes and quotes that compare this moment to the past. However it is not fair to make comparisons or diminish how some people are or not coping.

All I can say is like what Anne's book is saying if we take it "bird by bird" then hopefully it won't be too long before we get our lives back. 

Ems 💕