Almost every writer I know has a well-worn copy of this book. Whether they’re having trouble getting started or hit a snag midway through a screenplay or TV script, these writers know that Bird By Bird by Ann Lamott has the right words to get the project on course. I would add that some of the best advice in this book can apply to any large project, and I have referred to it many times over the years when trying to move forward on a non-writing project I have been stalled on.

The title of the book comes from the author’s childhood memory of her ten year-old brother near tears the night before a big project on birds is due at school, a project he was supposed to have spent the whole summer on, but which he has not started. Trying to calm the panicked boy as he sits at the kitchen table surrounded by his school supplies and by unopened resource books for his project, her father puts his arm on his shoulder. ”Bird by bird, buddy,” her father tells her brother. “Just take it bird by bird.”

Chapters of this book are dedicated to getting started, breaking a project down into pieces, character, plot, dialogue, and many others, including my personal favorite, entitled “Shitty First Drafts.” If you are a writer, or aspiring writer, or working at any creative project (and what projects aren’t creative when done properly?), count on this book to be a treasured companion on your journey.