Customer Reviews

Word by Word

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Listening to anne lamott lecture is like taking a refreshing cool bath on the hottest day of the year; it quenches the soul. Additionally, her wonderfully gritty voice doles out practical writing advice with sturdy handles, the kind you literally cannot get from any oridinary seminar. Much of this tape is subsumed within her bestselling book, Bird By Bird, yet there is plenty that is unique to Word By Word to make it well worth the price; not the least of which is hearing the poem which Anne's dog Sadie wrote to her, wherein Sadie ponders the question: 'Should she (the author) really be driving?' Hilarious and poignant as ever, Lamott mixes up wry asides with text from her writing manual, and makes everything difficult seem worth undertaking. All in all, a generous illumination and expansion of several classic Lamott topics; hearing her say it in her own words brings it crackling to life. Writing is hard work, but with Anne at your side, it's a shared journey.

Anne Lamott's Word by Word is the only tape that I listen to over and over. I hear helpful advice and suggestions every time. I keep them in the car, and when I have a break, listen again. I can dip into them at any point and be delighted. I'm sooo grateful to have these tapes. She has kept me writing when I was most discouraged -- as she says, If you're willing to make enough phone calls, you can always find someone who isn't as depressed as you are. These tapes make Anne my companion on the Writing Road.

These are GREAT CDs! Lots of useful, funny and motivational stuff to listen to! Anne Lamott is both witty and smart, and she really delivers with this seminar! Gives you the nuts and bolts info you're looking for, like how many words make up a manuscript page, how to find a publisher, etc. But in addition, she tells hilarious writing stories and also delves into the writer's mind and life - exposes a lot of things that we all feel but don't talk about because we're afraid that we're the only ones!! She is a great speaker and I HIGHLY recommend this seminar for writers who are looking for both a how-to as well as a motivational tool! Great stuff!

I don't usually write reviews, but I think buyers should be aware that this recording has little to do with Lamott's very good book, 'Bird by Bird'. These tapes are self-help tapes, like Julia Cameron's stuff. I was disappointed and a little bit annoyed. The box even says 'Writer's Audio Shop' on the front--very misleading. I say read the bird book and pass on these supposed 'word' lectures. Sorry Anne.

2% writing advice, 98% self absorption and psycho-babble. If your primary interest is self help for the compulsive, addicted etc. - this is the book for you; if you are looking for writing advice try John Gardner.