Bird by Bird Discussion
Hello once again everyone! Last week we didn’t have a discussion because I was ill, setting us a week back, but I’m almost 100% well again and ready to discuss.
The week before that, we discussed Broccoli, Radio Station KFKD, and Jealousy - the first two being my favourite out of the book so far.
This week we’ll be discussing Index Cards and Calling Around.
(Please don’t let Calling Around be about the phone…
This was the chapter I was waiting for, in which Lamott reveals herself to be a list and note taker. I, being someone who is addicted to lists, post-it notes, and index cards, was hoping she say she was even the tiniest bit similar.
I agree with Lamott in that knowing you had heard or seen a wonderful something, something you knew you should remember for later, but only remembering you forgot that wonderful something later on. It’s something I think a lot of writers learn the hard way until they start carrying index cards/notepads/note keeper of choice.
That she mentions people who don’t need to take notes is a good idea to cover all possibilities, but I don’t know one person (if you’re out there, speak up) who doesn’t need some sort of note taking device to help remember things along the way. When I get half way to three quarters of the way through a novel, I write down everything I think will happen and reorganize them about a thousand times until I get the right line of events for my story.
As Lamott says – it’s not like it is cheating. We all do what we must to get the job done. And sometimes you will be able to later recall some of the most beautiful small moments of life.
What do you think? Do you take notes? Do you try to always have a paper and pen with you?
Calling Around
What can I say about this chapter? (Other than I hate using the phone.)
Lamott talks about one very valuable way to research things for your book – asking people. Everyone knows at least a little bit of something, and a lot of people know a lot about something. Maybe even two somethings.
It’s in talking to people (and delighting them to bits because you want to know about something they know about) that you can not only find the facts you are looking for, but you can find the personal stories that make life exciting and can bring the ‘real’ into your story.
It’s as simple as that. If you want to know something, ask someone. Write down everything they say. Even if it’s not relevant to your current work in progress.
I think that’s great advice.
And those, ladies and gentlemen, are the opening statements for this week’s book discussion. Feel free to weigh in on what Lamott (and I) had to say, whether or not you agree.
Don’t forget to read Writing Groups and Someone To Read Your Drafts for next week’s discussion.
October 24th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Hello,
While perusing 451’s blogs after they put out a call for bloggers, I came upon your discussion of Bird by Bird. I just discovered Anne Lamott about a month ago after I picked up Traveling Mercies at a library book sale. I am now about half way through Bird by Bird and I would like to join your discussion. I will be going back to the previous entries over the next few days and chiming in, as well as keeping up with new discussions.
I’m very happy to have someone to discuss this book with. Within the first few chapters, I was inspired to take out my shitty first draft of an adolescent novel I began a few years ago and continue working on it. I’ve fallen in love with my main characters all over again, and I’m feeling at ease because I now feel it’s okay for the first draft to be bad.
October 24th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
Hi there! Welcome to the site. I’m excited to have you weigh in on the discussions. Bird by Bird has been a lovely book so far and has inspired me as well.
I’m looking forward to seeing what you have to say.
October 25th, 2007 at 10:33 am
Thanks for the welcome!
October 25th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
My pleasure.
October 27th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Not sure if I have told you yet, Jamie - but Anne Lamott will be the keynote speaker at the Kachemak Bay Writers Conference next June in Homer, Alaska. My daughter and I are so excited we could spit! We attended the conference together this year (Amy Tan was the keynote!) and are busily saving our pennies to go again next year to visit with Anne.
October 27th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Yeah, you told me that. I wish I could go.
It would be great to get my copy of Bird by Bird signed.
Save those pennies and have a lot of fun! You can write me a guest post about it.
October 28th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
tell you what, - if you want to send me your book and how you’d like it autographed, I would be happy to take it along with my own copy to be signed.
October 28th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
closer to the time of the conference, of course - and after you are finished reading it and all that.
October 28th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Ah! You are the best!
I’ve written it down and will send it off to you next April/May.
(Did you get the package I sent you?)