“For every hundred words I write, I spend about thirty to sixty minutes of editing and rewriting.” Jeff Goins
In Jeff Goins’ book titled You Are A Writer (So Start Acting Like One), Goins shares his secret sauce on becoming a writer. And this message never seems to get old (for me):
- Believe: You have to believe in yourself. Say you are a writer. And get started. Do it every day. Build the discipline and mental muscle.
- Follow your Passion: Don’t pander to your audience. Find your voice. The audience will follow. “The more I love what I do, the more others do, too.”
- Writing is hard work. “It’s harder than you think.” “You better love it. (Otherwise, quit now.)”
- Build Relationships: “It’s more about who you know than what you know.” Build a community of followers (via blogging). You have more channels to do so today than at any time in history. Network. Build relationships with publishers.
Jeff Goins is an author, blogger, and speaker. In 2011, his blog, goinswriter.com, was voted as one of the “Top 10 Blogs on Writing” and his writing has been featured on some of the most popular blogs including Copyblogger, Problogger and Zen Habits.
My book summary:
- You Are A Writer (So Start Acting Like One) is a cheap date. $3.99 on Kindle.
- It is a quick read. (Lightening fast.)
- Authors who are self-effacing and humble appeal to me. Add a personal Horatio Alger story and speak in a conversational tone, I’m a buyer. I’m a buyer here.
- Be Warned. If you are looking for this book to share some magic on “how-to” write well enough to get published, you won’t find it in this book. This is more of a get-off-your-can-and-get-going book than a step by step guide. And he pulls it off. I was inspired by his enthusiasm and determination.
- DK Rating: 5-Star * * * * *
I read John Childress’ blog post last week to learn that he had recently published two books. This is two more books to add to his growing collection. (And two more than I’ll ever write. Look at this! I can’t even follow Goins’ advice to believe in myself.) Here I agonize and stumble around on a 300 word blog post. And John bangs out not one, but two books. Maybe John can give us the back story on how long it took and share his secret sauce. (John, we promise we won’t tell anyone.)
The world, it seems, is full of people like this (who hate their job). Closet artists and aspiring authors, people longing to do meaningful work that inspires. There’s just one problem: They’re not doing it. – Jeff Goins
Live & Learn 
I love your writing and think you are a beautiful writer so quiet any voices that tell you otherwise!! Just get off your can! 😉
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Laughing. Thanks Jenni.
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It’s comforting to remember that even well established writers struggle with doubt about their work, and to remember how many times a book might be rejected before it is published. At least I comfort myself remembering this, 🙂
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Yes Deborah. I think “doubt” is likely a prerequisite. 🙂
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Agreed (with above comment). That follower number speaks volumes.
Also agree with the editing thing. I edit and re-edit and re-edit – it often takes an hour to write one post. And I still cringe when I come back to some posts long after they’ve been out there. At that point I’m tempted to hit the Trash button but I’ve actually only done that once.
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:). I won’t hit trash. Too committed. As Steve Jobs would say, “you must look to ship.”
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And as a shout out to John – I read his last book and thought it was great. Seems to me you’re following all of the steps (save for what you call yourself) and are succeeding beyond measure.
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Ah yes. Here’s my coach. Do as I say, not as I do. 🙂
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One more vote of confidence from yours truly, David. It think you write beautifully–with humor, compassion and humility. Go ahead, claim that title of writer! You deserve it–and btw I can totally imagine you writing a book. The only thing stopping you is, well, you. :-). (thx for this recommendation, too. Will definitely check it out…)
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Laughing. Thanks Lori.
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I know the next book I’ll read. Thanks for the recommendation, Dave!
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Susan, you will fly through it. Thanks.
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Thanks for sharing Goins’ secret sauce. David, you do seem to follow his tips beautifully. Your posts are a joy to read. Just yesterday, I was telling my almost thirteen year old daughter that we were all given special gifts, but it is up to us to find them and use them. They are there. Wonderful post!
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Thanks Kristin. “Almost 13.” Time begins to fly about now… 🙂
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I’m extremely inspired with your writing abilities and also with the structure to your blog. Is that this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way stay up the nice quality writing, it is rare to look a nice weblog like this one today..
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Thank you. It is a paid theme on WordPress.
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