What It Is by Lynda Barry
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Book Reviews of What It Is
Book Review: Elaborately and creatively decorated
Summary: 5 Stars
Book Review: What It Is Is Very Helpful
Summary: 4 Stars
I have really been enjoying this book. It's about how to do creative things, especially writing. I know that the answer is to stop reading self-help books and start doing creative things, but I am addicted. Plus, for some reason I haven't taken a creative writing class since, well, possibly ever, so the basic advice in this book really helped me. An excerpt:
"We notice that when people tell the story of their lives it often sounds like an obituary -- a lot of general information but almost no images. We notice also that journal writing has a rather similar quality to it, only instead of information we find a lot of writing about our feelings. The main feeling is discontent and worry, outrage, regret, despair, complaints, vague questions about life, hope of a transformation...we find a lot of writing, but almost no images!"
Whoah. I mean, duh. I mean, umm...I guess this is kind of obvious but I have never really thought about it before. Barry's main suggestion is to just write, using very simple words as prompts. I was previously aware of the idea of writing prompts, but mostly things like "what i did on my summer vacation," which tend to produce dry results like those mentioned above. So, I have been really found this book helpful and interesting, not to mention that it is full of fun cartoons and pictures and a magic cephalopod.
On the other hand, I felt that the book could have been a lot more compact. There were a lot of extra collages that were fine but didn't really do much for me except make me wonder if I had to read them all instead of skipping to the end. Also, I haven't quite finished the book yet, but so far all the writing advice applies to writing about things you have experienced. I'm hoping there's going to be something about developing fiction eventually, but I'm not sure there is.
Book Review: A Refreshing Reminder of What [Play] Is
Summary: 4 Stars
There is a wonderful simplicity at the center of the jumbled confusion that seems to characterize the aesthetics of this book. It was recommended to me by a friend who took a class with Ms. Barry: she said that "What It Is" pretty much tells you all you need to know to be a writer. I agree. While it probably won't necessarily make you a great writer, it does a wonderful job in contextualizing the creative process in a universal and highly accessibly way. Since finishing it some weeks ago, the precepts and insights of the book have only grown more pertinent. Good stuff.Book Review: what is it
Summary: 4 Stars
Lynda Barry is idiosyncratic, funny, dreamy, hardcore etc. etc. She's also a practicing pragmatist. Anyone needing a refresher course on disassembling the obstacles to creativity could probably benefit from this book. The collages are elaborate, beautiful and tender but I think I actually like the hand drawn asides that bring the reader into the world of the artist's upbringing and self-talk, the area at which she's always excelled. It's by being herself that Barry becomes Everyman for every man and woman.Book Review: Great book for teachers, parents, and young adults!
Summary: 4 Stars
Wonderful work from the extremely talented Ms. Lynda Barry. This is the first time I have read one of her books and I was duly impressed. A terrific book that acts as a teaching tool, best used by parents and those seeking self knowledge, which I guess covers a lot of ground. I heartily and fully encourage all parents of young teenagers and tweeners to buy this book and work it together with their kids. Enlightening and fun at the same time!