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The Productive Writer: Tips & Tools to Help You Write More, Stress Less & Create Success
by
Sage Cohen (Goodreads Author)
Take Control of Your Writing Life!
The creative process can be treacherous, even for the most experienced writer. Facing the blank page, staying inspired, sustaining momentum, managing competing priorities and coping with rejection are just a few of the challenges writers face regularly.
"The Productive Writer" is your guide to learning the systems, strategies and psycholo...more
The creative process can be treacherous, even for the most experienced writer. Facing the blank page, staying inspired, sustaining momentum, managing competing priorities and coping with rejection are just a few of the challenges writers face regularly.
"The Productive Writer" is your guide to learning the systems, strategies and psycholo...more
Paperback, 203 pages
Published
December 30th 2010
by Writers Digest Books
(first published December 21st 2010)
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Cohen gets right down to the business side of things in The Productive Writer. There are no confidence-building exercises, no powerful motivational speeches about finding life’s purpose, no long histories of pivotal moments in the author’s life. The book assumes everyone has a deep well of unique experiences to draw on, that people have the right tendencies to monitor and refresh their well-being.
Instead, The Productive Writer is a long list of vital to-dos to turn a beginning or middling writ...more
Instead, The Productive Writer is a long list of vital to-dos to turn a beginning or middling writ...more
I’ve wanted to be a writer since the day I learned to write, and 2010 was a good year, so I keep telling myself, “I am a writer!” I think Sage Cohen would approve. She reminds readers in her book, The Productive Writer, that what we tell ourselves matters. What others tell us matters too, and we need to work to make sure they give the right message. Then we should watch where we set our sights, as that too might make a difference to how much or well we write.
With a new year starting and new proj...more
With a new year starting and new proj...more
2 likes · like · see review
I was delighted to win a review copy of this brilliant book! This is the best book I've read that offers general advice on writing (I've read some excellent books on how to write poetry, but most general writing advice books have left me feeling disappointed and underwhelmed.)
The basic aim of this book is to help the reader (who is assumed to also be a writer!) to become more productive in their writing. It covers such topics as time management, identifying and developing your platform as a writ...more
The basic aim of this book is to help the reader (who is assumed to also be a writer!) to become more productive in their writing. It covers such topics as time management, identifying and developing your platform as a writ...more
1 like · like · see review
Thanks to a systematic, organized and highly functional set of guidelines, it's quite likely that Cohen's formula really can bring a writer success. If you've struggled with productivity, in the form of either getting started or keeping going, Cohen has advice and answers to make each writing session count. Her book will help writers focus on goals, what to accomplish in individual writing sessions, how to branch out from idea to platform, and, ultimately how to continue growing and transforming...more
This is a great book for those interested in sorting out their creative writing "want to's"....and make them reality. There are also worksheets available from the publishers site and are extremely helpful.
A fun and informative read.
A fun and informative read.
Nov 03, 2012
Jemma
marked it as to-read
A good book for anyone wanting to make a living from writing. The book is most appropriate for writers of short material like poetry, articles, essays, etc. It is focused on how to keep getting your work out there and promoting your expertise. Some good ideas for people settling in for the long haul of writing a novel but mostly relevant for short works. The writing style is engaging and the author's strong belief in the importance of a writing life shines through on every page. That in itself i...more
I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book in a giveaway on Fiona Robyn's website.
I tend to read from the more inspiration end of writing advice books (a writing tutor once told me that people tend towards the inspirational or the practical, rarely both). And so Cohen's book felt much more focused on professionalism and productivity (and I'm sure it would be a 5 star book for those seeking help with that side of things).
That said it was still packed with plenty of useful tips and encouragem...more
I tend to read from the more inspiration end of writing advice books (a writing tutor once told me that people tend towards the inspirational or the practical, rarely both). And so Cohen's book felt much more focused on professionalism and productivity (and I'm sure it would be a 5 star book for those seeking help with that side of things).
That said it was still packed with plenty of useful tips and encouragem...more
In all her writing, Cohen has a way of first allaying our fears so we can open our minds to the unlimited possibilities before us. But, she doesn’t stop there! She follows up with great, detailed advice; clear steps for us to take towards success; along with examples from her own writing life. In The Productive Writer, she adds a new dimension with printable worksheets and checklists she’s made available on the web to serve as companions to The Productive Writer. One such worksheet is “Your Plat...more
This had some useful ideas and a lot of practical applications, but went on too long for the subject matter. I picked up a few techniques I'll be incorporating into my routine early on. But reading The Productive Writer became a much less productive use of my time as it continued, and ended up repeating itself and becoming more generic towards the end. If you've never read any other productivity or time management books, that might not matter, but I came to this book in search of specific applic...more
I actually bought this book for a friend who loaned it to me. I really enjoyed it and thought the advice was practical but inspiring. I actually changed a habit or two because of this book. Sage talks about writing to your own biorhythms, which was incredibly freeing because for years I've been trying to "force" myself to write in the morning (a hold over from my 9 to 5, I guess) and really I'm most creative in the afternoon.
I will be buying my own copy!
I will be buying my own copy!
This is a fabulous resource for seasoned and aspiring writers. I love it! I'm actually going through it for the second time.
It has many, many helpful tips and worksheets and is organized really well. It has exercises, as well, to help you figure out your focus and direction. This is a great way for any writer to reset their compass and get back into the flow of a writing life.
It has many, many helpful tips and worksheets and is organized really well. It has exercises, as well, to help you figure out your focus and direction. This is a great way for any writer to reset their compass and get back into the flow of a writing life.
This book has some very helpful tips in it. I'm still thinking through how some of it would translate to writing fiction, but definitely worth a read. If nothing else it has given me some ideas to try in attempting to fit writing into my life while still working a more than full-time job.
I believe I would have found a good portion of this book more helpful if I were closer to the point of trying to seek publication, so I will probably re-read this in the future.
I believe I would have found a good portion of this book more helpful if I were closer to the point of trying to seek publication, so I will probably re-read this in the future.
I am new to writing professionally. I enjoyed the straightforward organizational tips in this book. I have just set up filing system, hung my annual planning calendar, and developed a timeline for daily writing. I feel ready to tackle my goals. Thanks Sage! You really have offered "sage" advise.
I pre-ordered this book because I am a fan of the author. I'm still absorbing all the lessons there are to learn in this deceptively little book. Somehow, I'll get my thoughts together in time to interview Sage Cohen for my Practicing Writer newsletter (April issue).
If you are a fiction writer some of the tips in this book will not apply. Many will, however, and the author provides the writer with organizational/motivational ideas that can help to create a productive writing space and work week.
Pretty good ideas on how to get motivated and manage both writing and marketing. Covers more than just time management including tackling fear and procrastination (in a non-cheesy, very practical way) and features downloads you can get to help you jump start your productivity.
This has to be my most favorite writing book of 2011. It helped me better organize myself and get things to the point where I can write every day and keep my eye on the prize.
bagus buat yg pengen ngatur diri untuk menulis lebih teratur dan produktif. Bahasanya cukup suportif dan desain dalam bukunya bagus. Jadi nggak kecewa lah beli buku ini.
This book moves back and forth between lofty ideals of finding what your ideal productive life would be like and tips on how to file your paperwork. My biggest learning was something I never expected to find out: I am actually happy with how productive I am! I want to keep working to improve my writing itself, but I am living my ideal lifestyle in terms of how much and when I write. I honestly didn't know that and I'm thrilled to have discovered it.
I think the book is still very valuable, though...more
I think the book is still very valuable, though...more
This book was like a collaboration of all the things I've read to do as a writer. Conveniently, it puts it all in on place. I didn't really glean much new information from this book, hence the three-star review, but it is definitely worth keeping on the shelf as a reference guide.
I was looking for practical advice on how to overcome writer's block, but this book provided mostly believe-in-yourself-and-your-dreams advice.
The title says it all! Recommended for anyone who wants to be more productive.
The Productive Writer bubbles over with brilliance, no-nonsense wisdom, and practical examples for how to manage oneself as a professional writer, yet its strategies could be broadened to include succeeding at any sort of creative endeavor (just replace the word 'writing' with, e.g., 'making clay pots'). Those who know Sage are familiar with her contagious optimism, which really does turn creative pursuits into gold... and I'm glad she chose full disclosure in sharing her alchemical recipe for e...more
1 like · like · see review
SO much great advice! Includes inspiration, problem-solving, time management, prioritizing, publicity, you name it. It's a little on the girly side, but the secure male could read it and get helpful tips. I'm going to have to check out the online tools she included. Actually, I read this at work, but I'm going to have to buy it now--I definitely need it on my shelf.
If you’re a writer struggling with organizational and time-management issues then this book is for you. There are detailed and clear-cut examples showing how to organize your writing life in order to be as productive as possible. Cohen’s advice is practical and makes sense. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to other writers.
Great, encouraging, inspiring book.
Excellent. Now I just need to do what it says.
Really enjoyed reading this. Comprehensive, clear, and information that I can use immediately.
Really excellent guide book. She gives plans and aids to help you plan the work of writing. Brought up some ideas I hadn't thought of before. So may writing books say the same things, but this one offers some true insight into the business of writing as well as the craft. I recommend it.
Good advice and practical tips for the working writer.
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Dec 11, 2010 01:30pm
Jul 07, 2011 01:58pm