Bird by Bird: Some Instructions of Writing and Life by Annie Lamott
In her hugely popular primer, Lamott offers perhaps the most valuable writing advice: “For me and most of the other writers I know, writing is not rapturous. In fact, the only way I can get anything written at all is to write really, really shitty first drafts. The first draft is the child’s draft, where you let it all pour out and then let it romp all over the place.” Lamott’s colloquial, compassionate encouragement has helped myriad writers find their way.