The book is a guide to writing and life in which the author shares her personal insights and practical advice on the craft of writing. Through a series of anecdotes, reflections, and suggestions, she addresses various aspects of the writing process, from the importance of getting started with "shitty first drafts" to dealing with writer's block and the emotional rollercoaster that writers often experience. The author emphasizes the value of writing as a way to understand oneself and the world, and encourages writers to take it "bird by bird," or step by step, focusing on small, manageable tasks to overcome the overwhelming nature of the creative process.

This book is a detailed account of the author's experience sitting for a portrait by a renowned 20th-century artist. Over the course of the sessions, the author provides an intimate look into the artist's meticulous and obsessive process, capturing the essence of his subject through an exhaustive and iterative approach. The narrative not only delves into the artistic method and the relationship between the artist and his model but also offers a profound reflection on the nature of art, perception, and the passage of time. The portrait sitting becomes a lens through which the reader gains insight into the artist's genius and the complexities of his character.