Bird by Bird #3 and 4

(I know I'm late with this post. I'll just smash the last two posts into one to avoid spamming.)

#3:

In part two of Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott continues to discuss the troubles that come with writing, and the advice she offers to authors who are questioning their abilities is simply wonderful, because it can be applied to other aspects of life, as well. I really appreciate her insight; it's far easier to read this book than to hike the treacherous mountains of Asia to consult a writing help guru. Perhaps the most helpful tip Anne mentions is to let the writing speak to you instead of ripping it apart against its will to find inspiration. While time constraints, deadlines, and outside expectations often dictate the pace at which an author drafts a piece, ultimately it is up to the author themselves to determine how fast or slow the plot progresses. But how do you stop and listen to the words on the page, exactly? The answer is observe. The world around us is a gold mine for subtle gems of inspiration. Things as simple as a conversation overheard on the street can serve as basis for a chunk of dialogue (which I certainly struggle with, personally). I never thought of listening to words in everyday life; I've always sought muse in flora. But then again, the veins of leaves can't really spell out a story.

#4:

Another subject Lamott touched on was jealousy. This was a section of the reading that particularly perked my interest, because I often skim other people's works or see them win awards, or book deals, or other forms of popularity, or...*inaudible grumbling*...and the point is, I know how it can destroy your self esteem.  The joy of writing fades and fades until cranking out novels feels like a grueling chore rather than a hobby. Lamott's advice for this is to swallow your resent. Turn your jealousy into something funny. Force yourself to be supportive for those who cannot help but stroke their own egos. If you will only grow up, for lack of a better word, you will be happier and your writing will not suffer. Also, perhaps you won't revise so much, 'cause you'll reach an acceptable final product quicker.