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tmrogersjr1's review
3.0
I listened to this audiobook while cutting the grass. Nothing here that will blow you away but I did stop what I was doing to jot 3-4 notes down in my phone. I admire this author’s productivity and ability to produce consistent work year after year. Regardless of what anyone thinks of his work no one can say he’s not consistent.
efabri123's review against another edition
4.0
I always read books about writing hoping to discover some secret sauce for success. However, most books don't tell me anything that I didn't already learn on my own by actually writing. In one of the first points that the author makes, he mentions writing what you want but also writing to market which I disagree with. I understand the concept of writing what it popular in order to make money but if you're writing with the sole goal of becoming rich and famous, you're writing for the wrong reasons, I'd say.
I think if an author consistently produces quality work, they don't need to worry about much else. If it's good enough, readers will spread it among one another with the help of some marketing. No need to write what the market says is trendy. If you want to make money, there are much easier ways to go about it.
The real gems in this book were towards the end for me. One in particular hit close to home and was exactly the sort of thing I needed to hear. The author mentioned that book reviews are not for the author - don't read them. Book reviews are by readers for other readers to help them determine whether or not they should purchase it. Also, a vast majority of book reviewers are not writers themselves so they don't necessarily appreciate the time/effort/process AND as writers we can't appeal to everyone.
Another great piece of advice in this book that hit home was not to spend years perfecting a book only to keep it from being released. A lot of the edits I tinker with, admittedly, are things that the reader might not ever think twice about let alone notice. Better to release imperfect books than spend (18 years in my case) repeatedly polishing one.
Thank you, Martin. 4/5.
I think if an author consistently produces quality work, they don't need to worry about much else. If it's good enough, readers will spread it among one another with the help of some marketing. No need to write what the market says is trendy. If you want to make money, there are much easier ways to go about it.
The real gems in this book were towards the end for me. One in particular hit close to home and was exactly the sort of thing I needed to hear. The author mentioned that book reviews are not for the author - don't read them. Book reviews are by readers for other readers to help them determine whether or not they should purchase it. Also, a vast majority of book reviewers are not writers themselves so they don't necessarily appreciate the time/effort/process AND as writers we can't appeal to everyone.
Another great piece of advice in this book that hit home was not to spend years perfecting a book only to keep it from being released. A lot of the edits I tinker with, admittedly, are things that the reader might not ever think twice about let alone notice. Better to release imperfect books than spend (18 years in my case) repeatedly polishing one.
Thank you, Martin. 4/5.
slbutcherauthor's review against another edition
3.0
This is a good book, but it'd be much better for someone who is truly a beginner at writing. Part of the book covered "find out what you like to write," as a motivator for self-discipline, and I was a little disappointed, because I was hoping for something a little more advanced. There was more applicable information in this book, but not quite enough, especially considering how short this book was.
Also, I listened to the audiobook, and it was hard to listen to the author's voice because of his inflection. Each sentence sounded a bit stumpy. I think if someone is going to read their own book out loud, they should be a little less monotone.
Overall, not a bad book, but I didn't find it very useful.
Also, I listened to the audiobook, and it was hard to listen to the author's voice because of his inflection. Each sentence sounded a bit stumpy. I think if someone is going to read their own book out loud, they should be a little less monotone.
Overall, not a bad book, but I didn't find it very useful.
runeonilyn's review
informative
medium-paced
2.0
This was less about self discipline for writers and more generic writing advice. The author is also working with a set of internal biases and assumptions that discount the reality of minority authors.
uniskorn's review against another edition
5.0
I don't even exactly remember how I came across this book the other day. By the sweet chance that I did, I decided to buy it since it was on sale. And I was blown away. It's a short, easy read on how to establish a writing routine and how to navigate the markets, particularly via self-publishing. Every suggestion was realistic and tangible; anyone could probably achieve what this book encourages you to achieve. I would recommend this to anyone, especially those writers who are feeling a little discouraged. I've come to the resolve in my own craft of writing that I need to prioritize it more and I'm using the tips in this book to hopefully do what I've always wanted to do: write and publish a book.
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