Bird by Bird Dreams, Hopes, and Plans Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #10

It's like singing on a boat during a terrible storm at sea. You can't stop the raging storm, but singing can change the hearts and spirits of the people who are together on that ship. (29.37)

There's a Star Trek: Next Generation episode during which Jean-Luc Picard and three children get stuck in an elevator and have to climb to safety above about a trillion foot drop. The kids are scared until Patrick Stewart gets them singing. Lamott is saying a good writer can be just a little bit like a good Enterprise captain, able to give everyone the spirit to keep going.