When you’re stuck, Anne suggests writing about something you’ve experienced in the past to get the creative juices flowing.Īnne Lamott: “EXERCISE: Write about your childhood.

How to Always Be Able to Write a (Short) Story and Never Run Out of Ideas. Want to know more about how I make sure I’m never running out of ideas: Plus, it helps that I usually have plenty of ideas. Usually, I’ll be inspired to continue later. Then that particular thing I’m stuck on gets to simmer for a bit in my unconscious. Sure, you can get stuck on a story, but what I usually do is write something else and get back to it later. If I’m totally honest, I’m not sure if I believe in the concept. I for one have never experienced writer’s block before. So instead of waiting for the muse to show up, you kindly invite her over every day at the same time.Īnne also touches upon writer’s block. When you do this, you train your unconscious mind to kick in for you creatively. On writer’s block and inducing creativityįor me, the most important tip Anne Lamott shared is to carve out some time every day to write, preferably at the same time. These are the lessons I’ve learned from Bird to Bird: 1. She illustrates this all with wonderful anecdotes about her own writing journey.Īt the time I read it, I just wanted to understand more about what it means to be a writer, dive into the practical stuff, and also learn more about writing as a profession. In addition, Anne gives tips about the of from having your first draft and taking it to publication. Lamott also touches upon practical elements, such as building characters, dialogue, plot and scenes. Ranging from writing exercises, dealing with writer’s block to creating the first draft. The book can teach you more about the essentials of writing. I’ve come across the book a couple of times already, but that was the right time to read it.Īnne provides the (beginning) writer with great insights, tips, tools, exercises, and anecdotes about the craft of writing. When I started writing my first short story, I was reading Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.