Word by Word Audiobook By Anne Lamott cover art

Word by Word

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Word by Word

By: Anne Lamott
Narrated by: Anne Lamott
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Writing, like life, can be a difficult process, you just have to take it Word by Word. Provocative and witty, Lamott takes you beyond her book Bird by Bird and into her "writer's mind". She won't tell you about plot points or how to get published, because, frankly, she doesn't think they're important. Good writing, she says, slows you down, opens your heart, and arrives through your fingers, knowing what it's about. You'll learn how to keep things simple and how to write honestly about life, family, and friends.©1996 Anne Lamott (P)1996 Writer's AudioShop Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing Witty

Critic reviews

  • Audie Award Winner, 1997, Educational/How-to/Instructional
Encouraging Advice • Valuable Writing Insights • Motivational Speaking • Authentic Perspective • Distilled Writing Wisdom

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Anne Lamott is wonderful, funny and wise. If you are at all interested in writing you should listen to this. No, it's not about plotting, but it is about life. And the writer's life. And writing about life and living through writing. What else could you ask for?

Funny and wise

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Ann Lamott strikes again. Very inspirational for writers. Thanks, Ann! You always know how to take me where I am and put me back in perspective.

Yes for Writers!

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Brilliant and so inspiring. I could listen to Anne talk about writing for hours. I've listen to this recording various times ... especially when I need encouragement.

Fantastic Listen!

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I'm new to Anne Lamott's writing and, yes, I'm a fan! I recently purchased "Bird by Bird" and now "Word by Word." I'm impressed with Anne Lamott's simple, yet masterful, writing and the way she paints her world with words.

This is a recorded talk that Lamott gave at a writing workshop after publishing "Bird by Bird." For me it's worthwhile because, while, yes, it covers much of the same material that she covers in "Bird by Bird" it distills her writing advice while introducing us to her life and family. She also answers pertinent questions asked by attendees on writing topics such as how to write about family members without causing undue pain, when to quit reworking a bit of writing, and how discover details needed to make a setting come to life.

If I were to give Lamott a Native American-type name based on "Word by Word," if would be "Speaks Her Truth"--something that Lamott gives each of us permission to do, as well. I recommend "Word by Word" for those who are writers, those who aspire to write, and those who are tired of remaining silent and choose to live an authentic and "truth based" life--a truth based on one's own beliefs, memories, experiences, and intuition.

Try "Word by Word" if you like, then "Bird by Bird" for more depth--or vice versa. As for me, I'm glad to have both in my library.

Gives us permission to "Write OUR OWN truth!"

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Loved this recording, but I didn't realize it going in that it was not a sequel to Bird By Bird, it was a recording of a lecture by Anne Lamont talking ABOUT Bird by Bird. Still worth listening too.

Not a book, a recording

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