I Should Be Writing: A Writer's Workshop Flexibound – August 22, 2017

I loved this book! I had the chance to get an advance readers copy and was so ecstatic that I read it right away. I listen to both Mur's podcast: I should be writing and Ditch Diggers with Matt Wallace. Listening to Mur on I should be writing is like having a best friend who believes in you, and tells you not to give up. Let me make this clear though-she doesn't sugar coat things when it comes to what the publishing would is like. She talks in the book and her podcast about her struggles and insecurities of being a full time writer. The difference is that she keeps on writing and I find this incredibly inspiring. The layout of the book is beautiful, easy to read, and done in chapters that you can skip around or re read easily. The book has the Bully(our inside voice who likes to tell us we can't write.) and Our Muse(our creative force that tells us to keep going.) I found this helpful because it shows you that almost every writer has experienced this type of feeling. I equally felt Chapter 3 entitled Squashing Myths is important to everyone on the road to writing. Practice, persistence and hard work will out way anything in life. Chapter 4 is to be what makes Mur stand out- All Writing Advice is Crap. It's a chapter about taking advice with a grain of salt. You have to find your groove in writing. If that means writing everyday, just on the weekends, at your job, or between mid terms. Every writer has their own set of what works for them and we should find our own. Chapter 1(how did I forget this part) really talk about expectations of what you are getting into with publishing. It gives a chart that breaks down advances and pay. I haven't found another writing book that really breaks down what they pay structure of an author can be and to realistically set your goals. There is also a quote from Kameron Hurley that really talks about getting published is just one hurdle.(keep on writing.) Overall the book is amazing and really helpful. The writing exercises are fun and the part where she talks about editing is incredibly helpful and clear. While I got an advance readers copy I already have preordered two other copies for two of my writer friends. GET THIS BOOK. ITS AMAZING!

Let me remind you this isn't about teaching you how to write. But it's great inspirational and encouraging. I've read it twice. I'll have my eldest son, who is also a writer, read it. We'll all read it several times as a good reminder what we should be doing. Writing.

This book is like a cold shower on a sweaty Summer day. It shocks you awake but makes you feel good at the same time. ISBW gives wannabe writers a direct dose of the reality in a compassionate, understanding way. Mur has "been there and done that" and has not lost sight of where she started, a fact that comes across in her instructions. The book is interlaced with "Muse" and "Bully" statements which accurately reflect the quiet "positive/encouraging" and "negative/discouraging" voices that all writers hear in their heads. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is even thinking about starting a writing career. There are even writing prompts to practice with at the end of the book as a bonus.

i just got the book today after waiting nearly 2 weeks. i immediately read the book and was hooked that i arrived at chapter 6! THATS HOW GOOD THE BOOK IS! the book is very colorful & simple. not too long, not too short. just perfect. the book pushed me to just write periodt.

I'm on chapter 4 and it is still talking about the same thing. I get it! I got it at chapter 1

I allready listened to Mur's podcast so it was very conforting to find the same calm and assuring "voice" in the book. If that's what you're looking for, than you will find it here.

This book is full of good advice and encouragement to wannabe writers, from a former wannabe. It's easy to get distracted or discouraged. Lafferty has experience with that, has overcome it, and has gone on to make a career out of it.Anybody who thinks they'd like to be a fiction writer should read this.

I did not expect this book to be awesome but it is! Got it on sale with no expectations. So thrilled with it! Definitely worth it.

I liked this book but it is very short for the price. My main complaint is that my kindle copy did not contain any writing prompts, the last chapter said there would be writing prompts and then went on straight to the acknowledgements! Amazon you need to look at this!

I got the ebook version and the writing prompts ARE included (just mentioning it as I saw another review saying they weren’t there. Someone has fixed it now!) I enjoyed this book, and I will look back on my highlights in future to remind myself of important points. It was a good read for getting me back on track, which is what I love about the ISBW podcast also. Kind of like having a virtual writing mentor!

I really enjoy the Podcase by Mur Lafferty and her Podcast books - I enjoyed reading this and felt it had a good sense of her brand of humour, it has great advice and is interesting to see the thought process from a great author!

Mur Lafferty was a newbie writer and is now a successful, professional author. Here she gives solid advice to those who are newbies. Written with a light touch and subtle humour.

Excellent, as good as I expected