Bird by Bird Summary

Having always been a lover of literature, influenced greatly by her father's commitment to the craft, she found herself stepping into the world of writing, despite initially desiring a more conventional path. Her talent for crafting captivating and humorous narratives was evident from a young age, but it was not instantly met with success. It was the process of writing about her family's trials during her father's battle with brain cancer that set her writing career into motion.

She delves into the intimidating journey of beginning to write, advocating for consistency and manageable tasks over ambitious projects. She emphasizes the importance of writing imperfect first drafts, as they lay the groundwork for story development. She insists on the need to overcome self-criticism and perfectionism, carrying on with the writing process despite doubts. Finding solace in faith, she incorporates spirituality into her writing to combat these hurdles.

She later focuses on technical aspects of writing, likening it to the gradual development of a Polaroid photograph. She urges writers to allow their characters to evolve naturally and to ensure their distinctive identities. She underlines the importance of dialogue and that the plot should stem from the characters rather than forcing characters into ill-fitting plots. She reiterates the importance of writing community and caution when choosing who to share your writing with. She values the impact of other's feedback, especially for novice writers. The curse of writer’s block, she believes, can only be remedied with patience and faith. Lastly, she expresses how writing can be a therapeutic tool for dealing with grief and other deep-seated emotions. She cautions against striving for perfection or imitating others and encourages authenticity. She concludes that the life of a writer is fulfilling, with the reward being the satisfaction derived from the work itself.