S. Lee Spelbring's Blog, page 24
February 28, 2018
Goal Setting by Martin Kaye
Goal Setting (Workbook Included): Goals & Motivation: Introduction To A Complete & Proven Step-By-Step Blueprint For Reaching Your Goals by Martin Kaye
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This ebook is a very different take on goal setting. It focuses on creating habits, knowing yourself, and creating a path to happiness. It takes a negative stance on visualization and positive thinking. Rather, it invokes the pen and pencil, the habit of working towards a goal, boosting motivation naturally, and making smarter (not S.M.A.R.T.) goals for yourself.
One of the best examples given is: You have a goal to reach the peak of the mountain, but you hate climbing. How the heck are you going to get there then?
It also came with a workbook, which I am in the process of downloading and fiddling with. I will update when I’ve gone through it (it’s free, but it’s also a way for the author to collect emails) and let you know if it helped in any way.
February 24, 2018
11 Steps to Writing a Book by Brian Ambler
11 Steps To Writing A Book by Brian Ambler
My rating: 1 of 5 stars
Ok, I’ve finally met a book that I cannot recommend to anyone.
Here’s the why: This is supposed to be a book about writing, editing, and publishing a book, right? There is no way I can trust a writer who cannot spell, and has no sense of grammar and punctuation. I’m sorry, I immediately deduct IQ points when I read something with spelling and grammar as bad as this. There’s a step that says to get a proofreader, and it’s quite obvious that the author skipped this step.
As for the steps themselves, it’s all really basic. Read, outline, edit, publishing, etc. All stuff that other books delve into with much better detail. In fact go check out one of the other How to Write books I’ve reviewed recently. You’ll get a much better idea of what’s going on.
I got this book free, if you can get it free you are welcome to try it yourself but I wouldn’t pay for it.
February 21, 2018
How to Write a Novel the Easy Way Using the Pulp Fiction Method to Write Better Novels by Jim Driver
How To Write A Novel The Easy Way Using The Pulp Fiction Method To Write Better Novels: Writing Skills by Jim Driver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The author goes over the basics of writing, basic plot structure, basic self-editing procedure, and basic idea generation.
The basics of writing include different methods of outlining and finding the time to sit down and write without interuptions. Basic plot structure is the three act method that most writers know about, but he gives a few tips and details on how to make it easy to follow. Basic self-editing is read it aloud to yourself, and when in doubt, ship it off to a editor (but research your editor). Basic idea generation is playing the what-if game with your favorite books, plus checking the Amazon bestsellers list (something we all do from time to time, eh?)
Anyway, it’s a basic step-by-step how to book that does rather well. If you’re looking to get started, want a refresher course, or just plain need an idea, check this ebook out, it’s free!
February 17, 2018
10 Tips for Writing Your First Book by Joe A. Rector Jr.
10 Tips for Writing Your First Book by Joe A. Rector Jr.
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
In this very brief ebook the author answers ten basic questions new writers might ask when first starting to write a book. Things such as “Do I really need an editor?” or “Can I design my own book cover?”.
It covers the very basics of novel writing and is not an in-depth discussion of how to get the thing done, just a very basic yes or no and some reasoning behind it. As I’ve been reading and writing and researching creative writing and writing in general for some years now, none of these “tips” are new to me and I already knew the “answers”.
However, the absolute beginner might get some value from this ebook as way to get started with writing, editing, and publishing their first book.
February 14, 2018
The Edupunks’ Guide to a DIY Credential by Anya Kamenetz
The Edupunks’ Guide to a DIY Credential by Anya Kamenetz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I usually am a bit reserved with my book ratings, so when I rate an ebook as 5 star it means something. I have never read or come across anything like this before, and I really wish this ebook was around when I was a recent high school graduate trying to figure what I was going to do next.
This is a wonderful resource and inspiration and motivation and whatever else you’d like to call it to get started or continue your online learning. There is so much free information online that it would be easy to learn enough to get a degree or certificate or something for all the information we process.
This ebook gives you the tools to do just that. I haven’t tried them out yet, but oh I want to. There are so many subjects and degrees I’ve been drawn to lately (even after just completing an associate’s degree last year). And with all the reading I do (!) it’s clear I’ve ingesting enough information that I should be doing something with it. Now I know I can, and with this book I can do something with it. I love this book.
February 10, 2018
Bad Habits No More by Steve Scott
Bad Habits No More: 25 Steps to Break Any Bad Habit by Steve Scott
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Another fairly common sense book about breaking bad habits. It is a step by step guide to breaking any bad habit broken down into three parts. This goes a bit deeper than just “just stop doing it”. The author explains the concept of will power, and figuring out why we have this bad habit and what triggers it.
Also, the author explains how he used his own methodology to break his own bad habit. There is some planning involved. What happens when you slip? What happens when you do feel the urge for your bad habit?
And what about gradually breaking away from the bad habit? He explains incremental goals and small wins throughout the process of breaking your bad habit. I think if you do want to break a bad habit and need that little extra boost or encouragement, pick up this book.
February 7, 2018
77 Habits for Highly Successful Living by Greg Parry
77 Habits for Highly Successful Living: Your Personal Pathway to Success, Riches and Happiness by Greg Parry
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This ebook is written in a way that makes it seem like each day you should try a new habit from the 77 Habits for Highly Successful Living. However, a lot of these habits go together very well and some are repeated after a fashion.
Such as there are 3 habits for sleep alone, but having said that sleep is important. Anyway, many of these habits have been suggested before and many are common sense: visualization, meditation, stretching, exercise, sleep, stress reducers, and others.
This ebook works as a good reminder to work on all of these things or as suggestions on how to get started with some of these things.
February 3, 2018
Mortal Ghost by L. Lee Lowe
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading this ebook. Some reviewers on Smashwords didn’t like it because they couldn’t find a plot, or didn’t resonate with the characters. As one of the secondary characters was named Sarah, I didn’t have a problem resonating with that character.
However, there isn’t a plot with this story, not really. It’s one of those novels that just follows along with the lives of the characters until a certain event occurs. It’s a bit like a Danielle Steel novel, you move and grow with the characters until a certain point.
For that reason and because this ebook had a supernatural/paranormal twist to it, I did like this ebook.
January 31, 2018
Blog Prompts by Sherice Jacob
Blog Prompts: 101 Creative Topics that Attract Customers, Invite Discussion and Help You Create a Loyal Legion of Fans by Sherice Jacob
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I didn’t really need to read this book as I have no problems picking out books to write about on my blog. However, it does offer inspiration to create blog posts that invite readers to join in with their thoughts. (If you ever wondered, you are always free to leave your reviews, opinions, love, or hate of a book in the comments of my blog posts.)
But! As I was reading through this book I was inspired to something else. These blog prompts can be used for other creative media. Some blog prompts lend themselves to book titles and others could be adapted to YouTube, both of which are something I will be doing in the future.
January 27, 2018
Book Marketing is Dead by Derek Murphy
Book Marketing is Dead: book promotion secrets you MUST know BEFORE you publish your book by Derek Murphy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Let me start by saying if you’re going read this ebook seriously, you’re going to need to take notes. I took notes. I might need to reread this and take more notes later.
The author gives you a ton of useful information on many marketing strategies, from building trust with your followers, to building a platform, and then even deciding on a book to write and how to go about writing it.
The main idea though? Focus on the basics. Basics are key, and there are three: a good cover, a good website, and a few book reviews. That’s it. It seems simple, but it’s not. However, Derek Murphy breaks it all down for you with wonderful tips along the way.
If you’ve forgotten already: take notes while reading this.
