BIRD BY BIRD

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Anne Lamott is the author of the popular book, Traveling Mercies. She is author of best sellers that are of general interest but her book, Bird by Bird is a national bestseller written for those who aspire to be writers. There is a story behind the title of this book that is of value to everyone. It applies to all of life and the way we get things done.

“Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he’d had three months to write. [It] was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother’s shoulder, and said, ‘Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.’”

Good advice!