I didn’t find it useful. Engaging, yes, entertaining, yes, but shitty first drafts have spun me off on tangents and it’s taken years to course correct. I’m a panster, but a some amount of planning is gold.
Fair! None of these things will be 100% relevant or work for everyone. Shitty first drafts doesn’t really work for me, either: as someone who serialises as I go, my first drafts need to be decent, and then rapidly improve with some edits!
Her thoughts around plot/theme/character I found most directly useful. The memoir angle is what really interested me, though, more than the practical stuff, I think.
haven't read it - sounds good, re how to books in general, they are usually too long. I read Story by Robert Kee -& i managed to precis it down to two A4 pages :-) ...did you all add the K for effect ?
My ‘K’ is part of my pen name, so very much added for effect. It’s a satisfying letter! Though it does have a real family root, as my mother’s maiden name and a great-great uncle who was a proper 18th/19th century explorer. :)
Annie Lamott is amazing, I just finished Traveling Mercies, more of a memoir than Bird, but I just love her voice and humor.
I'd heard of Bird by Bird, and now I've discovered my university library has it, so going to check it out!
It’s a quick and easy read!
I didn’t find it useful. Engaging, yes, entertaining, yes, but shitty first drafts have spun me off on tangents and it’s taken years to course correct. I’m a panster, but a some amount of planning is gold.
Fair! None of these things will be 100% relevant or work for everyone. Shitty first drafts doesn’t really work for me, either: as someone who serialises as I go, my first drafts need to be decent, and then rapidly improve with some edits!
Her thoughts around plot/theme/character I found most directly useful. The memoir angle is what really interested me, though, more than the practical stuff, I think.
I write lyrical fantasy and keep memoir at arms length!
haven't read it - sounds good, re how to books in general, they are usually too long. I read Story by Robert Kee -& i managed to precis it down to two A4 pages :-) ...did you all add the K for effect ?
My ‘K’ is part of my pen name, so very much added for effect. It’s a satisfying letter! Though it does have a real family root, as my mother’s maiden name and a great-great uncle who was a proper 18th/19th century explorer. :)
Yes, K is one of those letters that, they say makes a name cool. like musicians adding Lee in their names :-)
Bird by Bird is a genius piece of work. Much like King's On Writing. Deftly weaving memoir and how-to into an engaging read. Amazing.
I was meaning to ask you how you liked Bird by Bird. So glad you liked it! I reread it every time I need a jump start back into writing. She’s magic!
Never read it, but sounds interesting.
The Secrets of Story by Matt Bird is my favourite writing book.
Thank you. (That book does indeed sound useful. Agreed about Mark Kermode too.)
Nice talk. Thanks.
A point: "Becoming a Writer" was first published in 1934.