Yesterday was the birthday of the lovely, incomparable Anne Lamott. If you don't know her, read up, because she's epic. And, being epic and all, she Took her birthday hobbit-style and gave us a gift: a wonderful facebook post detailing "everything" she's learned in her 61 years of living.
Full of gems like "Earth is forgiveness school," and "food; try to do a little better"; as well as "Fundamentalism, in all its forms, is 90% of the reason the world is so terrifying. 3% is the existence of snakes," it's an inspiring and occasionally (deliciously) snarky piece.
Of course, she also touched on writing, and she certainly would know. My favorite excerpt:
"6. Writing: shitty first drafts. Butt in chair. Just do it. You own everything that happened to you. You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves in your heart--your stories, visions, memories, songs: your truth, your version of things, in your voice. That is really all you have to offer us, and it's why you were born
7. Publication and temporary creative successes are something you have to recover from. They kill as many people as not. They will hurt, damage and change you in ways you cannot imagine. The most degraded and sometimes nearly-evil men I have known were all writers who'd had bestsellers. Yet, it is also a miracle to get your work published (see #1.). Just try to bust yourself gently of the fantasy that publication will heal you, will fill the Swiss cheesey holes. It won't, it can't. But writing can. So can singing."
Definitely read her full post. It won't take long--go on! But then come back and let's make our own list. Writers (or any creatives out there), what do YOU know about life--and your craft?
originally published April 9th, 2015