In high school English classes across America students are preparing for their A.P. writing exams. These A.P. exams (Advanced Placement) are also known as C.L.E.P. exams (College Level Examination Program). Our excerpt from Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird read like the A.P. examination pieces. Just like those exams, Bird by Bird is an attempt by the author to address writing problems faced by millions of people across the country.
In lieu of an onslaught of technical writing guidelines, Lamott uses a much more casual writing style to humanize the writing experience. Her message to each reader is that a well written first draft might be nothing more than a word list of associated ideas and details, and that what is important is to get as many of the ideas down on paper as one possibly can. The second draft then builds context for the details. Although my rough draft techniques tend to vary widely, I can attest that Lamott's described method does work. The problem I occasionally face when using her technique is a loss of focus in a "free association" kind of way. I then end up with what feels like wasted hours of writing gibberish. Perhaps if I had Lamott's occupation the hours wouldn't feel wasted, but I don't get paid for idle or wasteful hours.
However, since I am paying for this class I find Bird by Bird to be a thoughtful and insightful article designed to make writer's of all levels feel a little better about getting started. Sometimes, as Lamott points out, getting started can be the most difficult part of writing.
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