Thursday 26 April 2012

Book review: You are a writer (so start acting like one)

You may have seen me review a previous book by Jeff Goins…well he’s back and now he’s got a new book “You are a writer, so start acting like one.


Jeff’s book follows his own adventure of achieving his dream of becoming a writer and he tells us how to do the same.

So why should I read it?

Well maybe your someone who’s always wanted to be a writer, but never really started. Or perhaps you’ve got a blog but want to start getting paid for writing, perhaps you’ve even had a few articles published but it’s not go beyond that. Jeff’s book is for everyone of these people and more.

So what’s in it?

Jeff starts with his story of going from being almost ashamed to talk about his journey, then spends some time dealing with the first steps of becoming a writing. Saying you are one.
After this Jeff gives you some of the essential tools you’ll need to become a writer. 

  • A platform, 
  • A brand
  • Getting connected. 
Jeff adds more of his own story to the picture to help you see how he did it, but he also includes other examples. 


Finally, there is a section on how to pitch a writing idea to a magazine or as a guest post with some general guidelines, attitudes and advice on how to get published and how to deal with rejection. Jeff also includes some very handy sample pitching letters that can be adapted.


The last word

All in all I think it's a great book for a writer, who's never had the guts to go for it. Or for the occasional writer who's never really gone all out for it. It's not a get rich quick or instant success book and it probably won't turn you into the next jk Rowling or other sudden success story. But it will turn you into a writer.