Sunday, August 21, 2005


Anne Lamott

Why do you write? I write because writing is the gift God has given me to help people in the world. I came with curly hair, green eyes, and the ability to shape and tell stories in a way that a certain kind of person finds helpful, and funny. I love to make people laugh, because nothing is more life giving. I love to help people feel a sense of connection in their lives, by sharing the truth and details of mine — this seems to greatly decrease people's feeling of isolation. I try to write the books I would love to come upon, that are honest, concerned with real lives, human hearts, spiritual transformation, families, secrets, wonder, craziness — and that can make me laugh. When I am reading a book like this, I feel rich and profoundly relieved to be in the presence of someone who will share the truth with me, and throw the lights on a little, and I try to write these kinds of books. Books, for me, are medicine.

powells.com runs an interview with Anne Lamott. ht to jordon.

wendy also points us to where anne is blogging!

2 comments:

Zenchick said...

she is, hands down, my favorite writer, and my inspiration. I saw her speak here once at a signing, and she mentioned that she doesn't really *like* to write. There was silence, and then someone finally said, "why do you?" She looked at him, and said, "if you are a writer, and you *don't* write, you will live a very uncomfortable life."
Thanks for the post, and the link to her blog posts!

Stephen said...

quite welcome! she really does capture some truth in her writings. i was first exposed to anne on tape listening to her read traveling mercies.