Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Writing The Damn Book: How to Start, Write And Publish A Non-Fiction Book For Creative People Who Have A Hard Time Finishing Things

Top positive review

It can be easy, it can be quick without sacrificing any quality

August 5, 2016

I always thought that writing a book would be overwhelmingly long hard work...days/months/years of sitting away in an enclosed room in the middle of nowhere in order to put out pages on pages of artful writing that would take your reader for a ride.

When I read this book I began to see the whole process so much differently. It can be easy, it can be quick without sacrificing any quality! Overwhelm = 0. Taking a step towards writing became so much more motivating! There's no need to procrastinate when something is as easy as pie.

Another concept shift that helped me was I always thought that when writing, I had to start from page 1 and end in progressive order. But I realized that there is an entire creative process that doesn't require that I be ordered in a linear fashion. I can jump around and its OK! But all while maintaining a basic structure so that I don't get lost in my creative ideas. This was super helpful!

A+++ for a book that gave such practical, helpful guidelines while also being a pleasure to read with stories woven throughout and nudges towards personal development and self growth at the same time.

18 people found this helpful

Top critical review

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Kevin Taylor

Meh. I'll keep looking.

August 12, 2017

I love the idea of this book. Just write the damn book. Jettison the excuses, the guilt, the distractions.

In fact, it offers plenty of pithy quotes and inspirational passages. But, did the book fulfill the promise of its back cover? The back cover promises, "We're going to dive in from that first step of writing a book through to the last step of publishing it." And, "But it is a series of the un-Google-able steps which if actually taken, will end up with you finally having that damn book in your hands."

Technically, yes, the author did cover material from ranging the gamut from starting to publishing. But, the content was anemic. I literally read it from cover to cover in less than 3 hours and I'm not a speed reader. I enjoyed the book--I like the author's voice. There just wasn't much meat. It certainly didn't deliver on its back cover promises.

Most "chapters" are little more than blog posts, written in the online writing style of one line paragraphs and sub-headings spilling every from the page. There is no table of contents and no index.

I haven't read the author's blog (my mistake) but I would be surprised if the content was not largely repurposed from somewhere online. I have no problem with repurposing content from a blog but it should be refined and restructured into book form. Regardless, the book reads like a blog. But, books are not blogs with a binding.

26 people found this helpful

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myekta

It can be easy, it can be quick without sacrificing any quality

August 5, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

18 people found this helpful

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Plenty of Nuts & Bolts... and a Whole Lotta Mojo

August 3, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Honestly, I didn't even know I wanted to write a book until I read this one. It's a powerful invitation for anyone who has a message to share with the world.

Stacy Nelson takes you through the whole process of writing a book, from pulling your ideas together, all the way to dealing with publishing, distributing, and marketing. There are lots of simple strategies and ideas in each section... but the essence of this book is above and beyond all that.

This is a How To Guide on a whole different level. Not only does she approach things from a practical perspective, but she really dives into the emotional, spiritual, and energetic process of writing a book. She gently guides you along the path to BELIEVING in yourself and your message... and your ability to bring your book to life.

By the end of the book, you've picked up much more than Tips and To Do Lists. You've come away knowing that your book is IN YOU, all you have to do is be brave and hold the space for it to come through. And it's not just about your book, but your MESSAGE, and making a positive impact on the world. I absolutely LOVE that the very last section is called, "The Beginning".

Nelson has a unique style that makes her books fun to read. She is intuitive and wise, while also being down-to-earth and "no BS". It makes a for an enjoyable, worthwhile, highly-recommended journey.

13 people found this helpful

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Erika Nall

Practical Magic For Alchemists Who Like To Play in the Esoteric Sandbox

August 3, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

(I had the privilege of reading this book before it was released to the masses.) The “Who Is Your Reader?” section is the MOST IMPORTANT section. It stopped me dead in my tracks!

I’ve bought countless courses and trainings but something always felt off. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. All of them had me “start with the end in mind.” I was painting these beautiful pictures of my days, my 3 months from now, my 1 year from now, and beyond. It was so yummy. It tapped into my superpower of visioneering. It satisfied my romanticism. It validated my idealism. Then I reversed engineered to create that in the present.

However, when it came to my readers and clients the "guru" always had me start at the beginning of their journey. “What are her pain points?”

EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I start there my stomach clenches and my heart shrinks. Inside I feel small and powerless. I get confused and lack clarity. OUCH! It’s painful.

I can hear it now:
Guru: “Lean into your discomfort. Just push through it. This is good for you. This is an opportunity to grow.”
Me: "Um, I don’t think you understand this is not uncomfortable like my shoes are a little too tight or I have a bit of indigestion from the pepperoni pizza I just ate. This is killing me inside."
Guru: “Well, that’s just a thought. Notice the thought. Let it go back from where it came. Back into nothingness.”
Me: “I don’t think you heard me. THIS IS LITERALLY KILLING ME INSIDE! I avoid death as much as possible thank-you-very-much.”

(And as an alchemist, I know I can excel in the dark art of manipulation to get what I want. I always felt like I went there when I started with pain. “I can help you. Or, better yet “I can save you.”)

Why do I die inside when I start with pain?

My reader is me. I am her. When I talk about her beginning, I am talking about my beginning. When I talk about her insecurities, I am talking about my insecurities. And believe me, they like to show up and be a part of the show anytime they can.

Now, I understand why the beginning is a terrible place to start. Brains are pretty clueless. Whatever it's thinking, it perceives as reality. That’s its job. And, mine does it very well.

Now I understand that those sensations. That experience is also what happens when I am insecure.

When I wanted to share my message through writing, my self-assurance, my self-confidence, my self-trust was nowhere to be found. Frozen, I just stared at that incessant blinking damn cursor for hours as the insecurities played and had their fun in my head. Frustrated and feeling rather poorly about myself, I would give up. I’d walk out of my office thinking, “What’s wrong with me? How can I usually write so freely and unabashedly with great perseverance one minute, but not the next."

I wrote the answer, “who is your reader going to BE at the end of the book?” (Honestly, I wasn’t sure if this was going to work.)

And, I felt it. For the first time I felt that what I wrote was coming from a deep place inside of me and not my head. I expected the sensation to be like a blast of, or at least a pulsating, bright light. (Well, that what I thought was suppose to happen when you are passionate and empowered.) Instead, my stomach was relax and I felt a gentle pressure across my chest. It was a constant glow and warmth like after the fire burnt up the firestarters -the tender and the kindling- and it’s just being a fire, doing what fires do. Sure there was an occasional popping of pitch, but I didn’t stop. My fingers just pounded a bit harder on the keyboard.

My breath deep and long. Every once in awhile tears would run down my face. My mind quiet. There was no judging. I just typed. I didn’t set a timer like I usually do to keep me on track. When I felt like I got up into my head, I paused, looked out the window and watched the birds for a little bit, took a few deep breaths, and went back to writing. When all that I had inside was out in black and white -unedited and raw- I looked at the clock and only 50 minutes had passed - talk about flow, baby.

I took a deep breath, exhaling slowly, coming back to my surroundings. Then my intuition said, “Is this making her BE EMPOWERED?” And, I cried.
Several times since then, I’ve tapped back into empowered and I’ve cried every time. Not because I am sad, or happy, or relieved because now I can feel the glorious ginormity of it. How badly, how passionately I want that for my readers AND for me.

You see, I was asking the wrong question. I was starting in the wrong place.

Now when I begin with the energetics of empowerment, I write within the place of security. My assurance, confidence, and trust will be front and center. And, when the writing gets hard and there is a call to perseverance, THIS is what will pull me through the challenges of spreading my message in whatever form I choose.

20 people found this helpful

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Robin Moore

Practical writing guide for impractical people.

August 3, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I'm a misfit. I have a lot to say and stories that I know only I can tell but conventional procedure on writing don't make sense to me. They don't resonate with my kind of unconventional thinking. This book brought the goal of having a published work out of the realm of fantasy and into a space-- not necessarily practical-- that I can create in actionable steps one at a time. There's information about all aspects; from birthing an idea to how to get it published by yourself or with a Publisher. I especially appreciate the stuff about the business side of design and publishing. Logistics aren't my strong suit and it helps to have someone who thinks like me navigating.
Her writing is relatable, warm, firm, and funny. Both down to Earth and inspired with higher perspective. I'd love to attend one of her writing workshop retreats someday but in the meantime I feel there's enough of Stacy being communicated through her book that I can retreat at home as well. That's how I want my own book to feel for my readers and this book has lots of insight on how to do that.

11 people found this helpful

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Deep Genius

This Book Reignited My Excitement To Publish

October 9, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I downloaded this book because I've got at least 20 partially written books in my computer and the title "Write The Damn Book" spoke to me. I admit, I didn't read it right away (mostly because I don't enjoy ebooks) but one night I stumbled upon the Kindle app on my phone and opened it up (not even remembering what books I had!)

Ohhhh what a breath of fresh air! Stacy's book felt like it was written exclusively for ME. I identified with all the reasons why traditional advice on book writing/publishing hasn't worked for me. I loved the allure of writing in 3 minute sprints. I jumped for joy when she gave PR a thumbs up over marketing.

Everything I've read so far about the book writing journey has left me feeling uninspired. But this book got to me in such a good way. Thank you Stacy for speaking my language. I have a plan finally that'll work for me!!

6 people found this helpful

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Juliet Grossman

It really IS simple

August 13, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This one has potential to be not just a game changer, but a life changer. Stacy Nelson speaks to the excuses creative but sometimes scattered or unfocused folks can drum up to put off just writing the damn book already. She writes with an easy to read conversational voice that is like having a firm friend on hand to remind you of the truth. Don't be deceived by how simple much of her guidance is; it really IS that simple. The brilliance of this book is in boiling it down to a form that is usable and actionable today.

10 people found this helpful

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Sora Garrett

I'm writing. I'm writing already!

August 18, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I thought this might be one of those books where I really only need to read the title ... and, yes, that might actually work with this one. But then I would miss out on all the smiles from Stacy's sassy & somewhat irreverent writing style, which kept me engaged from the opening page. I guess the real proof is that I'm back to buy the print version, which I plan to lay on my desk to keep blipping out subliminal messages to keep me writing the damn book. Thanks, Stacy. Hope to get to work with you some day.

6 people found this helpful

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Helen J. Macmillan

Feeling EXCITED to finish and publish my damn book!

August 5, 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Stacy spoke straight to my heart in this book. So many of her words resonated for me.

I have found inspiration and gotten unstuck! I am excited to FINALLY complete and publish “the damn book” I have been writing for 6 years and sitting on (mostly ready to go) for the past year.

This book shifted my perspective and I am excited to go give my book some love. It also gave me permission to write it for me - which I had come to on my own but this strengthened my confidence to do this.

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Jenny Stritzl Crane

Eager to write the damn book!

August 18, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

There are so many juicy nuggets waiting to be uncovered in this book! I can't begin to express how excited I am to start writing!!! Stacy Nelson thank you for heart and your desire to help us better understand the ins and outs of creating our own personal "masterpiece". I can see the bigger picture, I am not afraid to start writing, I feel inspired! For the first time ever, I don't feel so overwhelmed at the thought of creating my baby...I can honestly say, that hitting that publish button is nearer than it's ever been. Thank you!!

2 people found this helpful

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K. Winkelman

A good read and helpful tool all in one package

July 27, 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This was a wonderful tool for a stuck or blocked writer. The author definitely understands all the twists and turns and stumbles that happen along the way to writing a book. This can also be applied to just about any creative expression that you feel blocked in releasing into the wild.

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