Yesterday, after finally finishing Natalie Goldberg’s Friend from Far Away, I decided to once again read Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. I read this a number of years ago, after seeing her in person at a fundraiser shortly after I moved here to Petaluma, so I have a signed copy of the book.
I decided to re-read it at this point because back when I originally read it, although I enjoyed the book, and though I still knew I wanted to write, I really did not yet know how to read as a writer or how to really digest the information from a writer’s standpoint. And it’s interesting to find that much of her “advice” is nearly identical to what Natalie Goldberg has to say. And slowly I begin to “see.” And I am feeling myself get nearer and nearer to my objective – of writing my own memoir.
It is so wonderful to read such wonderful writers. Along with this book, I am still reading the Shirley Jackson biography, and also from time to time still reading Hero. I am not sure what is next on my list, but there are so many wonderful books ahead of me – I feel truly blessed in that regard!
And – someday – I do believe that I will author a book myself – and maybe many. And that feels really great.
Oh! And there is actually another book I am currently reading, although for a different purpose:
How to Draw and Paint Fantasy Architecture: From Ancient Citadels and Gothic Castles to Subterranean Palaces and Floating Fortresses, by Rob Alexander
I not only adore books in general, I also love ART; I love looking at it and I love creating it. So I added this to my collection of art books.