Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

When we begin the journey of writing, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, as if facing a mountain too steep to climb. But the secret lies in the simplest advice: take it bird by bird. Imagine a young boy staring at a daunting school project — a report on birds — and being told to tackle it one bird at a time. This gentle wisdom applies beautifully to writing. Writing starts with telling the truth, especially the truth of your own memories and experiences. It is this honesty that breathes life into your work, making it resonate with readers. The process is not about grand plans or perfect beginnings; it is about the courage to start, to sit down consistently, and to write what you know, what you feel.

Begin by mining your childhood memories, those rich, vivid moments that shaped you. Write them down without judgment, allowing yourself to be messy and imperfect. This is your foundation. The act of writing daily, even if only a little, trains your unconscious mind to contribute creatively. It is like tuning an instrument, preparing it to play the music inside you.

And when the task feels too big, remember to break it into short assignments. Focus on one scene, one paragraph, one image at a time. Imagine framing your story through a tiny one-inch picture frame, capturing only what you can see within it. This approach helps you avoid paralysis by analysis and keeps your fingers moving across the keyboard or paper.

In this way, the intimidating mountain becomes a series of small hills, each climbable and rewarding. It is a practice of patience, persistence, and faith. You may not feel inspired every day, but by showing up and doing the work, you create the conditions for inspiration to find you. Writing is less about waiting for the perfect moment and more about making the moment perfect through your commitment.

So, as you embark on this path, embrace the truth you carry, take small steps, and trust the process. These first insights are the gentle hand that guides you to the next stage, where you will learn to embrace imperfection and the necessity of messy beginnings. Let us move forward to understand why 'shitty first drafts' are not only normal but essential to writing well.