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Happy Birthday, Anne Lamott
Merlin Mann | Apr 10 2006
I learned via the Writer's Almanac that today is the birthday of the Bay Area novelist and non-fiction writer, Anne Lamott. Although I've mentioned my fondness for her work many times before, it's worth sharing a favorite piece of advice she's given to young writers. From (of course) Bird by Bird comes her notion of the "shitty first draft."
Lamott also mentions how she keeps a one-inch square picture frame on her desk. And every time she feels stuck, she picks it up and remembers that all she has to do to get started is fill one square inch with words. Although I doubt she'd choose the title herself, Anne Lamott is a life hacker of the first order. Her tips for writers are practical, real, and stripped of the pretentious quill-pen affectations many of us grew up holding. Everyone I know who's read her stuff cites it as some of the most inspiring advice they've received, and most of us return to it often for a shot in the arm. Anyhow, Happy 52nd to Anne Lamott, and thanks for the good stuff. 3 Comments
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About MerlinBio Merlin Mann is an independent writer, speaker, and broadcaster. He’s best known for being the guy who created the website you’re reading right now. He lives in San Francisco, does lots of public speaking, and helps make cool things like You Look Nice Today, Back to Work, and Kung Fu Grippe. Also? He’s writing this book, he lives with this face, he suffers from this hair, he answers these questions, and he’s had this life. So far. Merlin’s favorite thing he’s written in the past few years is an essay entitled, “Cranking.” |
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