Overcoming Writing Challenges: Counsel for Aspiring, Novice, and Experienced Legal Professionals Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

Abstract

“How do you eat an elephant?” “One bite at a time.” Reading the book, Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, this saying immediately springs to mind. Both teach that a seemingly daunting task broken down into parts makes the process more manageable. Yet the book is not just about overcoming overwhelming feelings and prioritizing them one at a time. Lamott’s narration about her childhood in Marin City, California, infuses the book with warmth as she shares her wisdom about life and writing. Her book is not merely about eating the elephant one bite at a time; it is about tackling life and writing, bird by bird.

The “bird by bird” trope refers to a family story about her brother, who sat overwhelmed at the family dining room table trying to complete a long-term school project on birds. He had procrastinated on the project until a few days before it was due. Clearly immobilized, Lamott’s brother received writing advice from their father, himself a successful author: “[J]ust take it bird by bird.” How to overcome writing challenges is the gift of the book. There are six main parts — (a) The Introduction; (b) Writing; (c) The Writing Frame of Mind; (d) Help Along the Way; (e) Publication — and Other Reasons to Write; and (f) The Last Class. Each part provides insight into the writing process through anecdotes.

Keywords: Legal Writing