Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

• Genre: Nonfiction; writing reference
• Originally Published: 1994
• Reading Level/Interest: College/Adult
• Structure/Length: Introduction, 5 parts, 28 chapters; approximately 237 pages; approximately 6 hours, 36 minutes on audio
• Central Concern: Bird by Bird is Anne Lamott’s guide to becoming a better writer. Through chapters that combine the forms of memoir, personal essay, and writing advice, Lamott advocates rolling with the punches, being honest with yourself and your readers, writing daily, not being afraid of first drafts, and ensuring against isolation.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Death of a parent; terminal illness; mental health; alcoholism; brief profanity 

Anne Lamott, Author

• Bio: Born in 1954 in San Francisco, California; American novelist, nonfiction writer, progressive political activist, and writing teacher; graduate of Drew School and student at Goucher College for two years; awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1985; inducted into the California Hall of Fame in 2010; wed for the first time at age 65; often includes autobiographical content in nonfiction work, touching on alcoholism, single-motherhood, depression, and religion
• Other Works: Hard Laughter (1980); All New People (1989); Crooked Little Heart (1997); Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith (1999); Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith (2005); Imperfect Birds (2010)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit: