The Writer's Workout: 366 Tips, Tasks, & Techniques from Your Writing Career Coach

by Christina Katz

The inspiration, stamina, and power to take charge of your writing life—every day. Get the daily jolt of energy your writing life needs from The Writer’s Workout . Inside you’ll find manageable, no-nonsense techniques for every aspect of your writing career from getting organized to connecting with your audience to building relationships. Veteran writing coach Christina Katz draws on her knowledge from more than a decade in the business to give you tips, exercises, and insider strategies to build your skills. With The Writer’s Workout , you’ll develop skill, strength, and confidence – everything you need to build a robust, unique writing career that’s built to last. Bonus online Download a free motivational poster to keep you moving as your build your writing career at writersdigest.com/writers-workout.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

373 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 2011

About the author

Christina Katz is the author of three books from Writer’s Digest: The Writer’s Workout, Get Known Before the Book Deal, and Writer Mama. Her writing career tips and parenting advice appear regularly in national, regional, and online publications. A “gentle taskmaster” over the past decade to hundreds of writers, Christina’s students go from unpublished to published, build professional writing career skills, and increase their creative confidence over time. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Columbia College Chicago and a BA in English from Dartmouth College. A popular speaker on creative career growth, Christina presents for writing conferences, literary events, MFA writing programs, and libraries. She is the creator and host of the Northwest Author Series in Wilsonville, Oregon, where she lives with her husband, her daughter, and far too many pets. Learn more at ChristinaKatz.com.

Reviews

[Jude Bown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a motivating book...my copy is overflowing with stickies, notes, smiley faces and stars! Nothing motivates a writer like tried and true tips. Christina, you rocked this!

[Cindy Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I’ve been creating my resolutions and goals for 2012 this week, I’ve also been reading Christina Katz’s new book for writers, The Writer’s Workout: 366 Tips, Tasks, & Techniques From Your Writing Career Coach. Over the years I’ve taken many online writing classes from Christina and read her other books for writers. Each one has boosted my writing career in just the way I needed it at the moment, and I expect it to be the same with The Writer’s Workout.

Just as the subtitle says, this book is chock full of short, easy to digest tips, suggestions and other ideas for writers at all levels, whether they are just getting started or have been writing for some time. Each page starts with an inspirational quote that sets the tone for the advice to come. For instance, tip number 166 is titled, “Consider Specializing.” It starts with a quote from Joyce Carol Oates about connecting with your true subject. Katz’s advice on what it means to specialize and how to do it follows.

The Writer’s Workout is organized into four sections according to the seasons starting with spring. In her intro, Katz says you can think of this as the seasons of the year or the seasons of your writing career. She also says it’s up to you whether you read one page a day, or “blaze through the whole book.” I’ve chosen to do both. I’ve been blazing through this week, and with the start of the new year I plan to read one new page every day. I expect I’ll skip around instead of reading one page after another. That way I can find a topic that may be especially relevant to me at the moment. But starting my writing day with a bit of inspiration and a nudge in the direction I want to go can only help me be more focused and productive at what I do.

I’ve also discovered in my “blazing through” that just because the advice comes in small bites doesn’t mean it’s something you can read quickly and move on. This is good stuff that you’ll want to mull over and think about for a while so you can determine what it means to you and your writing career at the moment.

Reading The Writer’s Workout daily is one of my new year’s resolutions. Consider making it one of yours.

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It should come as no surprise from long-time readers and students of Christina Katz that with this latest book she delivers another volume of practical, down-to-earth writing advice that's also a joy to read. I've read many wonderful writing books, but what differentiates this one is how Christina takes into consideration the entire writer experience as we try to balance writing with the day-to-day demands of living life. From addressing our work environment and organization processes to platform development and the ups and downs of the writing experience as we pursue our goals, the wealth of information in this book may make it one of her best yet.

Over the years, I've come to trust Christina not only for her intuitive wisdom, voice of reason and experience as a writer, but also for her integrity as a teacher and a coach. In an age where it's easy to get overwhelmed with advice, tips and information, it's reassuring to find someone who has her students'/readers' best interests at heart and her unique approach comes through in "The Writer's Workout."

When I first got the book, I assumed I'd get through it in no-time with the way it is broken down into 366 one-page lessons/tips/advice. This book has so much information, however, I found it served me better to slowly work my way through it. Now, the book is filled with dog-ears and flags reminding myself to re-read the valuable nuggets of advice and information. I found the last chapters especially inspiring, meaningful and encouraging.

I highly recommend this book to any writer looking for sound advice and techniques while understanding that success doesn't usually happen overnight (as much as we wish it did!). As any good athlete knows, there's just no getting around the fact that quiet determination, hard work, self-care, dedication and keeping it all in perspective is key to a long, healthy career....and it's no different for the writer.

[Angie Mangino · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Writer’s Workout
By Christina Katz
2011
Reviewed by Angie Mangino
Rating: 5 stars

Are you looking to become a writer?

Are you already a writer who is looking to grow your career?

The down-to-earth advice Christina Katz shares in The Writer’s Workout covers not only each season of the year to inspire writers, but also each season of a writer’s career.

In the spring of your life as a writer, it is time to awaken and get going. You find your stride in the summer, and become recognizable in the fall. The winter finds you able to coach yourself, but despite your accomplishments, there is always room to open to new directions while you stay prolific.

Christina Katz gives writers the choice: read a page a day over the course of a year, read all at once as a complete immersion into the writing life, or pick the sections in whatever order needed.

Whatever choice the writer makes, this writer is certain that writers will keep this book readily available for returning to repeatedly, both for reference and for that needed jolt of encouragement.

[T.L. Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christina Katz's latest book, The Writer's Workout, encourages writers to strengthen their skills, increase their endurance, and stretch their limitations as they train for the marathon that is the writing life. Like fitness in life, a writer's career is only healthy if the writer devotes proper time and attention to developing strength, endurance, and flexibility. Katz provides 366 short essays that inspire, educate, and encourage writers to keep their writing careers in shape no matter where they're at in their career. Katz pours her years of experience writing and teaching into the pages of The Writer's Workout. Each essay reminds the writer to nurture his/her career with growth and prosperity in mind. Katz remains consistent with her teachings throughout the book expanding on the teachings as they need to grow in a writer's career. The Writer's Workout is a workout every writer needs to do to keep his/her career healthy, productive, and prosperous.

[Debbie Johansson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was separated into four different sections, one of each season. Spring being the basic and working up to winter for the more professional writer. I worked my way slowly through the book from spring all the way to winter, making notes along the way. I'm glad I did because there is a fair amount to get through and now that I've finished, I'll be going back to do some of the exercises.

As Christina teaches, I felt I was taught in the comforts of my own home. She has a common sense approach to writing and platform building, which is a welcome change in these hectic times within new media. Recommended for beginners and professionals alike.

[Peggy Bird · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christina Katz is an excellent writing coach and this, her latest book, is a compilation of much of the advice she gives in her classes. Her writing style is clear and easy to follow and this book, with one tip per page, is easy to dip into and begs the reader to flip back and forth from section to section. There are lots of good pieces of advice on creating a platform and using social media. Many of the tips are obviously more suited to a non-fiction writer and certainly for someone who writes short pieces, not novels. But still it's worth the read for the tips that resonate.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the best hands-on, get your writing on fire book I've seen! I confess to not having finished reading it yet because I keep getting all re-inspired and going off to my writing! To me, that's what a great coach does--gets me inspired to do my thing and do it well.
I've recommended The Writer's Workout numerous times already and will continue to do so to any writer out there.

[Pam Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read through it the first time and now I'm going back with more attention and application of each of the principals. This is a great manual for people serious about making their writing a career, a successful one! Thank you Christina!!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book for budding writers. This is a read through then keep handy book.

[Stephanie Funk · Rating 5 out of 5]

It works if you work it. I'm still working on that.

[Rachael Kvapil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will say this book has value in that it did get me writing after a long hiatus making movies. At the same time, I read it during a pandemic, so having more time might be part of the reason too.

Though I understand the structure of this book is to highlight the growth of a writer, about 1/4 of this book could have been edited out. There are so many redundancies. Likewise, the author is incredibly wishy-washy about the writing industry, presenting herself as a devil's advocate:

Don't self-publish...consider self-publishing... but really look for traditional publishing
Write about a lot of topics...but eventually specialize on a few topics...but definitely write about a lot of things.

The author never really takes a stance on anything, which increases the amount of content, but does little to guide the reader.

And finally, she breaks her own advice, which she spells out towards the end of the book (343) "...if an author writes a book about how great he is, this makes the reader feel bad, the reader won't like the book." Only to turn around on page 351 and spend two paragraphs talking about all the books and publications she will have by the time this particular book is published. Not that she hadn't talked about herself before, but the amount that she does so becomes very noticeable after her statement on page 343.

Is it worth the read? I guess. The advice she is offering is kinda inspirational and even useful. But it would be better if it were about 100 pages shorter.

[LS Schulz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Been reading this off and on for a while now, a few entries here, a few entries there. I took notes in many places and found a lot of helpful tips and advice, much of it seems aimed at the writers of non-fiction, but can be tweaked to apply to fiction writers as well. It is laid out in 366 daily entries, each only a page long, so it can be read in one sitting or you can just squeeze in one entry a day along with your other reading and writing, whichever works for you. The writing is very encouraging and I enjoyed all of the writing and writing career related quotes from other authors that were included at the top of each entry.

[Zack Long · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started out loving this but by the end it had become so repetitive (sometimes even repeating items within the same list) that it went from being enlightening to being an absolute drain. Christina Katz did not have 365 different pieces in her – some are as simple as "here's three books I like" and "aren't movies neat?" It's a shame, if this had been half the length, it could have been something special.

[Pamela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Como la mitad de este libro son repeticiones de lo mismo y lo mismo. Las primeras 80 páginas son lo más útil, después son muuuy contadas las cosas que no son repeticiones o solo páginas sacadas de un manual de autoayuda (como 20 páginas se podrían resumir en "échale ganas")

Qué bueno que no lo compré...

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this as an ebook, but loved it and referred to it so often for inspiration I bought a paperback version too.

[Lynn Cahoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strong motivational workbook for a non-fiction author.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A "gentle taskmaster" is how Christina Katz is often described by those who have read her books and listened to her speak at conferences. The Writer's Workout will take you on a year-long journey that will challenge you and your resolve to become the writer that is perhaps, hiding, deep within you. I found myself looking forward to each day's reading, tasks and challenges and now feel ready for my next steps to becoming the writer I know I will be. You will find yourself wanting to write EVERY SINGLE DAY - I do. I am. This is a most precious gift any writer could receive!

[Gregg Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed working through this workbook over the past year.

If you choose this workbook as a tool, stick with it as you progress through the four seasons of writing as well as progresssing as a writer.

Christina Katz has three "Writer's Digest" books to her credit, so you know this is going to good.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the utility player of writing books. It doesn't just cover freelance or fiction or essay, it covers it all. I love the tip of the day format, although I read it more as a pick it up, flip through, and read something that caught my eye. I think this one is going to live on my computer desk.

[Susan Monroe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is definitely geared toward freelance writers, but there are bits that are applicable to writers of all sorts.