I think she could have written the actual writing advice in half this book, but at least she did the rest (partial autobiography) in an entertaining way. The first section and the last chapter were the best, but the other parts...were...what...? She urges the reader to write about one's childhood, but what if the aspiring writer doesn't want to begin at this point? Lamott lost me once she started describing character and plot...maybe, I'm just not that smart but she spoke in concepts and I just didn't click with her style. Found Julia Cameron more useful.