Love Bird by Bird! I haven’t read it in a couple of years but the biggest takeaway for me was: don’t wear both your writer’s and editor’s hats at the same time. Always turn the critic off while you’re writing. George Saunders (as you know) also talks about this a lot, importance of play in writing etc.
Great post, I'm loving the newsletter. I absolutely LOVE this book. I've read it a couple of times but you've made me want to dig it out again. I also recommend: what I talk about when I talk about running by Murakami, On Writing by Stephen King and The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. I also have In the Margins by Elena Ferrante on order and I can't wait to get into it as I've been reading a lot of her work of late.
Funny coincidence. I have a pop-up reminder on my phone screen that reads: Bird by Bird. I see it every morning when I wake up. I read this classic years ago and it has always stayed with me - along with Stephen King’s On Writing and Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones. I also happen to love Anne Lamont, human being. That little picture frame image has such power, and to me, it’s a powerful reminder of how and where we should all live our lives, whether we write or not: in the moment.
Fantastic post! I loved Bird By Bird and appreciated the chance to have a part of it (that I'd forgotten) to read again + your thoughts. Other books on writing I've really enjoyed writing:
On Writing - Stephen King
The Writing Life - Annie Dillard
And most of all,
Draft No. 4 - John McPhee
Working: Researching, Interviewing, Writing - Robert A. Caro
Although I understand the premise of Bird by Bird and have a digital copy somewhere, I've never actually read it. I'm a bit ashamed to admit that, but hey, I've said it now. I always nod sagely when people talk about it and pretend that I've read it, hoping I won't get caught out. Perhaps now I'll dig it out and read it.
Also, I really appreciate your description of your writing process. It's very comforting to know that other writers struggle as much as I do.
Hey Hattie, another great newsletter! It’s one of those things - you know it is easier to break things into smaller chunks, but not always easy to put it into practice. I like the idea of putting the frame on my desk as a reminder. As a never-not-forgetting something person, I can imagine it might help! I do the easy task thing first too, as I reckon it’s the starting that’s the hardest, and you need your gateway drug to kickstart you! I love Mason Curry’s Daily Rituals! It genuinely made me feel about 1000% better about my chaotic creative process! I will be signing up to his Substack pronto! And I’ll definitely be looking up Bird by Bird too, thank you!
I’d love more frequent Creative Hours. I couldn’t make the last one, but I would love to join another one! Thanks for this! Love this newsletter! X
I absolutely loved the first quote section you shared from Lamott. This is me in spades. I envision the universe I want to create, begin trying to ferret out the details, and the castles begin to crumble and my hopes and dreams of writing this book feel as if some unattainable fantasy.
You're right. What she talks about is something we all know. But we all forget. If nothing else, we automatically don't apply it to our writing world. Thank you for the reminder, it came at a perfect time for me. I agree with you that this is an excellent book. I've been really surprised by some writers who didn't like it. However, I've yet to meet an accomplished author that states their displeasure of her book. Usually only those forever-wannabe-authors. Thanks again for the reminder that we are mere mortals and to gently treat ourselves as such.
Thank you for this post, so timely. I’m not a writer, have found myself writing the book about medlars. I’m only managing it by breaking the elephant into thousands of mouthfuls, and tackling them one at a time, chapter by chapter. Your tiny picture frame is a much better way of expressing this, and I thank you for helping me to feel less alone in my task. Best wishes, Jane
Thank you! "Breaking the elephant into thousands of mouthfuls" is an excellent metaphor (though sad for the elephant). I'm so glad you found the post helpful.
I’ve personally found the prompts really useful, as I hadn’t been writing for a while. Many thanks for those, as they’ve got me writing again. And now I’m back hacking away at a short story I’d set aside ages ago.
That said, I think it makes sense to pause or stop the prompts in favour of more creative writing hours. I seems like it works better for more subscribers.
Thanks Tony! Good to hear your thoughts on this. So far the poll suggests most people would rather have more writing hours – I'll have a think about it. Even if I go with that, it doesn't mean the prompts have to go away entirely – we could come back to them or do them as an occasional thing.
I’ve been thinking about breaking stories down into more manageable chunks. I wrote this about borrowing a technique from software development that seems to apply:
Interesting! Thank you for this. My problem is that I don't really know ahead of time what the 'tasks' are that I have to complete – or rather that the biggest, most difficult task of all for me is working out what should happen next (not actually writing it).
Thank you, Hattie! In my second year at university I was struggling with an essay about 18th-century literature (not sure what aspect of it now). I went to see my seminar leader in his office hours explaining I felt totally stuck. He looked at me kind of quizzically and said with a sigh: "Writing.... is always... agony". I've never forgotten that!
Gosh, I’d never heard of this book, and I really thought I’d read every writing book ever 😂. Have now rectified this and bought it as I found this really helpful (as ever!) Thanks Hattie!
Great newsletter Hattie! It’s so good to hear the struggles! I was listening to seba Sams on the radio after she won the BBC short story competition and she talked about having fun with her stories and somethings when I’m bogged down in edits and deadlines i forget that I actually enjoy writing!! So def more space to be playful.
Ps I love Sunday writing hours and they’ve been so helpful and productive. I also like the prompts but have been lazy doing the last few.
Love this! The picture frame image is so good. I think I need to physically get one for my desk! I love the whole premise behind the title of the book and that school assignment, Bird by Bird… don’t want to add a spoiler! 🐦 But it’s something I told my daughter now, at uni, and it’s really helped her. Well done on getting to 50,000! 🎉👏🙌
Love Bird by Bird! I haven’t read it in a couple of years but the biggest takeaway for me was: don’t wear both your writer’s and editor’s hats at the same time. Always turn the critic off while you’re writing. George Saunders (as you know) also talks about this a lot, importance of play in writing etc.
Great post, I'm loving the newsletter. I absolutely LOVE this book. I've read it a couple of times but you've made me want to dig it out again. I also recommend: what I talk about when I talk about running by Murakami, On Writing by Stephen King and The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. I also have In the Margins by Elena Ferrante on order and I can't wait to get into it as I've been reading a lot of her work of late.
Thank you for the recommendations! I've read On Writing and the Strunk but hadn't heard of the others. So glad you're enjoying the newsletter.
I've just got the Elena Ferrante one, too. Only one chapter in and it's amazing!
Ooh I’d forgotten about elena ferrante’s books - I’d love to hear more
About it.
Funny coincidence. I have a pop-up reminder on my phone screen that reads: Bird by Bird. I see it every morning when I wake up. I read this classic years ago and it has always stayed with me - along with Stephen King’s On Writing and Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones. I also happen to love Anne Lamont, human being. That little picture frame image has such power, and to me, it’s a powerful reminder of how and where we should all live our lives, whether we write or not: in the moment.
Very true! I could do with more of that mentality actually.
Fantastic post! I loved Bird By Bird and appreciated the chance to have a part of it (that I'd forgotten) to read again + your thoughts. Other books on writing I've really enjoyed writing:
On Writing - Stephen King
The Writing Life - Annie Dillard
And most of all,
Draft No. 4 - John McPhee
Working: Researching, Interviewing, Writing - Robert A. Caro
Wonderful – I don't know most of these!
Lol. When I have anxiety about not writing enough, I cope by reading about writing 🙂.
Haha!
Although I understand the premise of Bird by Bird and have a digital copy somewhere, I've never actually read it. I'm a bit ashamed to admit that, but hey, I've said it now. I always nod sagely when people talk about it and pretend that I've read it, hoping I won't get caught out. Perhaps now I'll dig it out and read it.
Also, I really appreciate your description of your writing process. It's very comforting to know that other writers struggle as much as I do.
I own many, many reportedly wonderful books that I've never read. I'm hoping they'll go in by osmosis.
Thank you for the kind words! I find it comforting to hear that I'm not the only one, too.
Hey Hattie, another great newsletter! It’s one of those things - you know it is easier to break things into smaller chunks, but not always easy to put it into practice. I like the idea of putting the frame on my desk as a reminder. As a never-not-forgetting something person, I can imagine it might help! I do the easy task thing first too, as I reckon it’s the starting that’s the hardest, and you need your gateway drug to kickstart you! I love Mason Curry’s Daily Rituals! It genuinely made me feel about 1000% better about my chaotic creative process! I will be signing up to his Substack pronto! And I’ll definitely be looking up Bird by Bird too, thank you!
I’d love more frequent Creative Hours. I couldn’t make the last one, but I would love to join another one! Thanks for this! Love this newsletter! X
Thanks so much Ella! I need to buy Daily Rituals, it sounds great. xx
One paragraph at a time -- great advice. There's no forcing creativity, just go with the flow.
I absolutely loved the first quote section you shared from Lamott. This is me in spades. I envision the universe I want to create, begin trying to ferret out the details, and the castles begin to crumble and my hopes and dreams of writing this book feel as if some unattainable fantasy.
You're right. What she talks about is something we all know. But we all forget. If nothing else, we automatically don't apply it to our writing world. Thank you for the reminder, it came at a perfect time for me. I agree with you that this is an excellent book. I've been really surprised by some writers who didn't like it. However, I've yet to meet an accomplished author that states their displeasure of her book. Usually only those forever-wannabe-authors. Thanks again for the reminder that we are mere mortals and to gently treat ourselves as such.
Thank you for this post, so timely. I’m not a writer, have found myself writing the book about medlars. I’m only managing it by breaking the elephant into thousands of mouthfuls, and tackling them one at a time, chapter by chapter. Your tiny picture frame is a much better way of expressing this, and I thank you for helping me to feel less alone in my task. Best wishes, Jane
Thank you! "Breaking the elephant into thousands of mouthfuls" is an excellent metaphor (though sad for the elephant). I'm so glad you found the post helpful.
I’ve personally found the prompts really useful, as I hadn’t been writing for a while. Many thanks for those, as they’ve got me writing again. And now I’m back hacking away at a short story I’d set aside ages ago.
That said, I think it makes sense to pause or stop the prompts in favour of more creative writing hours. I seems like it works better for more subscribers.
I’m also getting a lot out of your news letters.
Thanks Tony! Good to hear your thoughts on this. So far the poll suggests most people would rather have more writing hours – I'll have a think about it. Even if I go with that, it doesn't mean the prompts have to go away entirely – we could come back to them or do them as an occasional thing.
I’ve been thinking about breaking stories down into more manageable chunks. I wrote this about borrowing a technique from software development that seems to apply:
https://tonygallacher.substack.com/p/its-not-all-about-word-count?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Interesting! Thank you for this. My problem is that I don't really know ahead of time what the 'tasks' are that I have to complete – or rather that the biggest, most difficult task of all for me is working out what should happen next (not actually writing it).
I’ve been listening to Bird by Bird in the car today and oh my goodness I ❤️ it. Perfect!
I came across an essay free on the internet from B by B - Shitty First Drafts. Which I've found to be reassuring for the despair (as mentioned above) x https://wrd.as.uky.edu/sites/default/files/1-Shitty%20First%20Drafts.pdf
Yes this is great – thank you. The whole book is great.
Thank you, Hattie! In my second year at university I was struggling with an essay about 18th-century literature (not sure what aspect of it now). I went to see my seminar leader in his office hours explaining I felt totally stuck. He looked at me kind of quizzically and said with a sigh: "Writing.... is always... agony". I've never forgotten that!
Hahahahahaha. Nailed it
Gosh, I’d never heard of this book, and I really thought I’d read every writing book ever 😂. Have now rectified this and bought it as I found this really helpful (as ever!) Thanks Hattie!
I think you'll love it!
Great newsletter Hattie! It’s so good to hear the struggles! I was listening to seba Sams on the radio after she won the BBC short story competition and she talked about having fun with her stories and somethings when I’m bogged down in edits and deadlines i forget that I actually enjoy writing!! So def more space to be playful.
Ps I love Sunday writing hours and they’ve been so helpful and productive. I also like the prompts but have been lazy doing the last few.
So glad you like the writing hours! Me too.
Love this! The picture frame image is so good. I think I need to physically get one for my desk! I love the whole premise behind the title of the book and that school assignment, Bird by Bird… don’t want to add a spoiler! 🐦 But it’s something I told my daughter now, at uni, and it’s really helped her. Well done on getting to 50,000! 🎉👏🙌
Thank you!!