Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
You Are A Writer summary
Jeff Goin
Brief summary
You Are A Writer by Jeff Goins is a motivational guide that encourages aspiring writers to embrace their craft and pursue their passion. It provides practical tips and advice on how to develop a writing routine and build a successful career as a writer.
Topics
Table of Contents
You Are A Writer
Summary of key ideas
The Journey to Becoming a Writer
In You Are a Writer by Jeff Goins, we embark on a journey of self-discovery and exploration of the writing life. Goins begins by asserting that if you write, you are a writer. He encourages us to embrace this identity and see ourselves as professionals, regardless of our publication status. He emphasizes the importance of believing in our writing abilities and taking ourselves seriously as writers.
Goins shares his own story of transition from a corporate world to a life dedicated to writing. He underlines the pivotal moment when he decided to call himself a writer and began to act like one. This shift in mindset, he claims, is what separates aspiring writers from the real ones.
Developing a Writing Practice
Goins then delves into the importance of developing a consistent writing practice. He advocates for the 'write every day' mantra, emphasizing the power of discipline and routine in honing our craft. He suggests that it's not about finding time to write, but about making time for it every day. This, he argues, is the key to becoming a better writer.
Focusing on the process rather than the end product is another essential aspect of Goins' philosophy. He encourages us to write for the love of it, rather than for fame or fortune. The joy of creation, he believes, is the true reward of being a writer.
Overcoming Fear and Resistance
Goins addresses the common obstacles that writers face, such as fear, self-doubt, and resistance. He emphasizes the need to push through these barriers and continue writing, despite the inner critic. He suggests that acknowledging our fears and insecurities can help us move past them and keep writing.
The concept of 'shipping' is another key idea that Goins introduces. Shipping refers to the act of putting our work out into the world, regardless of its imperfections. He argues that perfectionism often holds us back and shipping our work is crucial for growth and progress as writers.
Building a Platform and Finding Your Audience
As we progress through You Are a Writer, Goins shifts our focus from the act of writing to the business of being a writer. He discusses the importance of building a platform and finding our audience. This involves creating a presence online, networking with other writers, and engaging with potential readers.
Goins shares practical tips for developing a strong online presence, including building a website, starting a blog, and utilizing social media. He also emphasizes the significance of cultivating a community around our writing, as it can provide support, feedback, and potential readers.
Pursuing Your Writing Dreams
In the final section of the book, Goins encourages us to pursue our writing dreams with confidence and determination. He reminds us that being a writer is not just about writing, but about embracing the entire journey - the struggles, the rejections, and the triumphs.
He concludes by reiterating his central message: if you write, you are a writer. He urges us to own this identity, commit to our writing practice, and continue pursuing our dreams, no matter how daunting they may seem. In the end, You Are a Writer is a call to action, an invitation to fully embrace the writer within us and live a life dedicated to the written word.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is You Are A Writer about?
You Are a Writer by Jeff Goins is a motivational book that aims to inspire and guide aspiring writers. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, the author encourages readers to embrace their identity as writers and offers tips on how to overcome common obstacles such as self-doubt and fear of failure. With its uplifting message and actionable strategies, this book serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to pursue a career in writing.
You Are A Writer Review
You Are A Writer (2012) is an insightful guide for aspiring writers, urging them to embrace their identity and pursue their passion. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Offers practical strategies for overcoming self-doubt and cultivating a writer's mindset, empowering individuals to take their writing seriously.
- Emphasizes the importance of consistency and perseverance in honing one's craft, highlighting the value of dedication and hard work in achieving success.
- Provides motivational encouragement and realistic advice, ensuring that readers remain engaged and inspired throughout their writing journey.
Who should read You Are A Writer?
Aspiring writers who want to overcome self-doubt and pursue their passion
Experienced writers looking for practical advice and motivation to improve their craft
Individuals interested in building a successful writing career and establishing a strong online presence
Categories with You Are A Writer
Book summaries like You Are A Writer
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
35 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
You Are A Writer FAQs
What is the main message of You Are A Writer?
The main message of You Are A Writer is to embrace your writer identity and pursue your passion for writing.
How long does it take to read You Are A Writer?
The estimated reading time for You Are A Writer is suitable for a few hours, while the Blinkist summary can be read in 15 minutes.
Is You Are A Writer a good book? Is it worth reading?
You Are A Writer is a worthwhile read as it inspires and offers actionable advice for aspiring writers in a concise manner.
Who is the author of You Are A Writer?
The author of You Are A Writer is Jeff Goins.
What to read after You Are A Writer?
If you're wondering what to read next after You Are A Writer, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Coaching for Performance by Sir John Whitmore
- Influence by Robert B. Cialdini
- The Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto
- Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
- The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs by Carmine Gallo
- Selling the Invisible by Harry Beckwith
- You Can Negotiate Anything by Herb Cohen
- Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
- Pitch Anything by Oren Klaff
- Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher, William Ury & Bruce Patton