Anne Lamott is a writer most known for her writings on spirituality and contemporary life. Based in San Francisco, California, she has also written a work that addresses writers’ lives. Although that work (Bird by Bird) is not prerequisite reading, this work follows up on that book and is set as a live, taped speech at a writers’ conference in 1999. This audio recording shares insights from that book and from other elements in her life.

But to say merely “sharing insights” undersells this work. Instead, her voice entertains, humors, and shares the art of spiritual word-craft with her in-person audience and her extended listeners (us). In classic Anne Lamott style, her words invite us into her personal life and exposit the life lessons she finds there. Through a style of jovial conversation, she reminds writers to listen to their lives as they practice their craft.

For those unfamiliar with Lamott, she was raised by a writer-father, whom she incidentally adores. In her younger adult years, she experimented with drugs, married men, and alcohol, to the point of addiction. She became a Christian in a predominantly African-American church and sought recovery. A single mom, she now raises a son Sam, whom she refers to often. (She relates the entirety of this fascinating and entertaining tale in her best-selling book Traveling Mercies.) In this audiobook, she shares how this story intertwines with her writing life. Fortunately for us, she comes across as neither preachy nor didactic but instead as joyful and engaging.

Good writers read good books. Good writers also read good books about the practice of writing. While this is an audiobook, it does communicate a few nuggets for writers. Even religious leaders like pastors or counselors might find Lamott beneficial to better communicate with their audiences. Artists of any ilk will be fascinated by Lamott’s ability to spin a small set of insightful tidbits into something beautiful. As with her life, she has learned to create with whatever is in front of her. The community at-large (both writers and non-writers) is gratefully richer for her contributions. ( )

This is an audio-only book because it's the recording of a workshop she did after the publication of [b:Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life|12543|Bird by Bird Some Instructions on Writing and Life|Anne Lamott|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347222688s/12543.jpg|841198].

She gives some excellent advice, most notably she stresses that B is a good grade (highlighting that things don't have to be perfect) and that one should work on short assignments to get practise in the art of writing. She recommends that one write 300 words a day (so basically a page) and over the course of a year, you'd have a draft of a novel. The short assignments fits in nicely with the Writing Excuses podcast where they discuss some writing topic and then give a suggested task at the end of it so you gain experience.

This isn't very long (less than 3 hours) so if you're interested in writing you might want to take a listen. ( )

Twenty years ago ..,still relevant today. Lots if useful advise for writers. ( )

Ann Lamott strikes again. Very inspirational for writers. Thanks, Ann! ( )

This was a real time-waster! ( )