Serendipitiously, Laura had in her backpack my copy of Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life.
I remember it to be an entertaining and inspiring guide for writers the
first time I read it over five years ago. Now I'm re-reading Bird by Bird
as I embark on my time of joyful trial and write my first book. The
most memorable phrase from the book is "shitty first drafts," one I use
with relish to describe the first round of chapters that emerge from my
computer. I'm not overly concerned with my dismal prose since I'm just
trying to get all my thoughts down on paper. Now if I don't move
quickly to fixing up the words into serviceable text as my first
deadline approaches, the holiday relaxation will begin to wear thin!