Write Every Day: How to Write Faster, and Write More

Rock Your Writing #4

by Cathy Yardley

Do you want to write more novels?

Maybe you’re having trouble finding time to write in a busy, jam-packed week.

Maybe you’re exhausted when you do manage to carve out some time to write.

Or maybe, when you’ve got the time and energy, you either waste time and then wonder where the day went… or you face a blank page, unable to type “anything decent.”
Pinpoint what’s stopping you – and find real solutions.

WRITE EVERY DAY is specifically geared for fiction authors who are juggling busy home lives, work lives, and the new pressures to “build a platform” while simultaneously producing more books.

Instead of rote advice (i.e. “just get your butt in the chair and write”) it gives clear instructions for zeroing in on what’s really preventing you from writing, and then offers a selection of simple suggested solutions to carve out more time, get more focus, and gently dissolve writer’s block.

Similar to other books in the Rock Your Writing series, WRITE EVERY DAY takes a wealth of resource material and distills it down into one clear, helpful approach.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference, Self Help, Audiobook, Crafts

92 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 20, 2013

About the author

Cathy Yardley is an award-winning author of romance, chick lit, and urban fantasy, who has sold over 1.2 million copies of books for publishers like St. Martin's, Avon, and Harlequin. She writes fun, geeky, and diverse characters who believe that underdogs can make good and that sometimes being a little wrong is just right.

Reviews

[Irena Pasvinter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another short book I bought a long time ago and never got to reading -- fished it out now in a feeble attempt to reach my GR challenge goal and also to resume writing my second unpublishable novel, which I haven't touched from the end of September.

By now, I read quite a few books on writing -- excellent, mediocre, waste of time -- I covered the whole range. In my previous experience, short books on time management usually belong to the third category (aka waste of time), so I started listening to the audiobook version of "Write Every Day" with expectations at the Dead Sea level.



Image credit: Vectortoons, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

It didn't took long to see that I was in for a pleasant surprise: not only is the author's advice useful, motivational and to the point, but it is also based on her own hard-won experience, which I found the most precious component of this neither revolutionary nor ground-breaking, and yet quite helpful booklet. Now to face my own share of time management, energy management and fear management problems, with this tiny book as a spark of light at the end of the tunnel.

[Diane Callaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any book that encourages you to write is a good book. I read this years ago and it encouraged me to get back to doing what I wanted to do.

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't as helpful of a guide as I thought it would be. The advice is motivational, but honestly too simple and wasn't helpful to building process of working through blocks and also the writing process to use the most.

Rachel Aaron's "2K to 10K" is probably a better investment for the price for more concrete examples and expansion on actually writing more in a given frame of time and motivation, and it's actually referred in this book as a reference.

Overall score: 2/5 stars

[Rachel Kramer Bussel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this ebook because while I'm a fast writer in general, I haven't been getting as much writing done as I'd like. Cathy Yardley's Write Every Day helped me tackle some of my issues when it comes to writing (in my case, it's not that I don't have enough time, though she goes generously into detail about how to carve out your time and make it sacred, to yourself and others) and then practical tips on how to keep writing, making it sustainable and part of a daily habit that is blocked out. Is she going to do your writing for you? No. Nor is this a how-to-write book. But it is a book I'd recommend to any writer, because it hones in on the specific issues writers face and pushes you to both examine them and then take practical steps so you'll have no excuses. The action plan at the end is especially useful. I say this as someone who is in many ways loathe to implement some of these tactics but have seen that keeping track of my time does indeed prove that I can do the writing I want, I just need to prioritize it. Yardley also offers and quotes from several websites I've found very useful. This is both a shot of encouragement and a step by step list of things you can do to keep better track of your time and maximize it for writing. Well worth the price!

[Carrie Daws · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read and a good reference guide. She emphasizes that writing is both a mindset AND a set of processes, and they vary from writer to writer. She goes over some of the common problem areas and roadblocks to getting words out of your head and on to paper, including recommendations of other books to read for the areas that most inhibit you.

[Epeeblade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the advice very helpful. I am not going to be outlining scene by scene, but I will be blocking out time and setting concrete writing goals.

[Robin Tzucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was honestly one of the most useful books on writing/productivity I've ever read. It's a quick read (which was a plus for me) and yet is packed with a ton of valuable information, exercises, and suggestions. The examples Cathy gives are both realistic as well as useful (especially for those of us with day jobs and/or kids).

The book is organized in a way that makes total sense, and leads you through various roadblocks you might be dealing with.

From the book:
1. It will help you identify what, exactly, is in the way of you completing your current book
and/or writing more books that you love, more quickly and easily.
2. It will help you pin down some solutions to those obstacles.
3. It will give you an action plan to actually get the writing done, as well as a suggested template to prevent future roadblocks.

And YES, it totally does all that! I finished reading this book energized to get back to work. I am also recommending this book to all my writer friends. It is worth every penny. The list of resources at the end is also super useful.

[Donald Plugge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to agree with a few of the lesser reviews that the book is quite general and does not break any new ground. I liked it for two reasons. First, it did cover a lot of ground, so it helped you identify the problem areas in your own writing. Most likely if you are stuck, Cathy has experienced something close to what is holding you back and gives her solution.

The second reason I like the book is for its reference material. Cathy identifies resources and processes as a starting point for you to continue in your own research past the baseline of this book.

I usually only give 4 stars if I'll pick the book up again. I will and have picked this book up numerous times. The book also inspired me to get back onto Goodreads and begin updating my reviews as an exercise in writing every day.

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[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack of all trades, master of none. The book is broad with its advice, so there are different plans of action depending on what you're currently struggling with. There are some helpful tips and exercises which can help you identify what's keeping you from writing more (maybe what you think is your most productive writing time isn't), but because the book addresses so many different problems none get the attention they really need.

I borrowed this book from Amazon's prime library, and I would recommend others do the same if they really want to try this one out. Don't read the book cover to cover like I did - go the section that covers what you (think) your issue is, and then give the recommended writing plan a try.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I get sick of, just do it stupid, way of thinking. This book is helpful, really! Brought me out of dreaming of being a writer, and now its feels like I am. It's just a mater of time now. loved it

[J.R. Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like most of Yardley's books on writing as a craft, this one wasn't new or revolutionary. In many ways, it compiled tips from other great systems to create something new. But there were some things this book really had going for it that made it a 5-star for me.

-The book was a quick read. There are tons of time-saving books or books about writing faster or writing more, but they're so long that they pull you out of writing for large chunks. To me, a lot of them end up being good, but time that could have been better spent writing. This was not one of those books.
-There was a no-guilt approach. Instead of guilting the reader into writing more, Yardley helped point out how to identify why writing wasn't happening, and then make it happen. Instead of beating the writer down saying "this is where you're messing up," she's encouraging, and admits that some forces that lead a writer to not write are purely external.
-The idea of mapping out how I spend my time has been key. It's helped me identify when I can write, when I write best, and when I can't write at all.

The one thing that blew my mind the most, though, was the revelation that writing more wasn't necessarily about blocking out time to write. Instead, it was about automating other things in life that prevented us from writing. At one key point, she advises people look at their habits. Do you struggle to decide what to have for breakfast every morning? Easy. Buy three boxes of your favorite cereal and then have that, taking away one part of your day spent on choice, which ultimately makes life (and writing) harder.

Added emphasis on finding a good writers group and carving out time for self-care and eating healthy, also. All-around a great well-rounded book that was quick to get through and apply tips immediately.

[Just Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for all writers regardless of career level. I felt as if the author was speaking to me personally. Three of the four obstacles that keep authors from writing really hit home for me.
1. Time and not having enough of it or not managing it well.
2. Energy and not having enough and not managing it well.
3. Process and not being aware of what works for you.
I was impressed with this audio book. The message, suggestions and advice were on POINT. I've even purchased Rock Your Plot.
OMGreatnes, the section on support network was amazing. Yep, I avoid all energy vampires and sheep in wolves clothing. Sometimes, people can still all your energy.

[Xavier Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an aspiring want-to-write sort, I need some guidance. I wanted this to be a step-by-step manual. And to a degree it was. However, it proved to be more of what I needed than I realized. Apparently (insert snark here) there's a mindset AND a process to getting what's in my head onto paper. The mechanics of this are quite specific. And the amount of work was a mystery. Both the work and mechanics are clearer to me now. And I'm happy to note that I'm less scared than when I knew nothing and had no idea what it entailed. I'll keep this book near me for some time. I'll read part of it continually. One day the author will get a thank you in a book of mine.

[Sri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical, approachable, quick, and encouraging! I loved this book and will return to it when I need a tune-up for my craft. It actually refreshed me on some new ideas for accountability in 2024, and streamlining work tasks. I was already thinking of creating routine "scripts" to automate/program my end of semester/start of semester class prep so that the transition from deep writing/creativity space to teaching/email mundane things that come on at once and are draining didn't feel as jarring. This book helped me see that was a good instinct to follow, and that having such intuition for any process comes with time!

[Koen Wellens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Write Every Day does not give you writing advice. It does not focus on topics like character development or editing. Instead, it focuses on trying to write. What are things that stop you from writing? And at what moments are you able to connect the letters to form reasonable sentences? These questions are the ones you need to answer.

Read the full review at my blog.

[Kirstie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but good read which delves both into time management and mindset to help you write more. As Yardley herself states it can get a bit 'woo-woo' (translate: hippy dippy) but for the most part it's clear and actionable advice. I can see myself coming back and re-reading parts and working my way through the whole book over the next months (once the kids are back at school anyway ;p )

[Tonia Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another writing book I'll return to again and again. Full of sound and practical advice, Yardley once again shares a workable system. Are you struggling with time to write, fear, or lack of energy once you sit in front of the blank page? This book may well point you in the right direction.

[Luke Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I use a similar process to identify issues, but it's cool to have it all in one little book for reference.

[LeLa Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent coaching advice for any writer at any level

[Wilani Wahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be very helpful. If I want to be a writer. I must write everyday. This makes so much sense. It was a helpful encouragement.

[Michaela Kügelgen · Rating 3 out of 5]

En helt okej bok om skrivande, men gav inte mig så mycket jag hade hoppats på.

[Nicole Walters · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a few useful time management tips, but it's nothing I haven't heard before. If you struggle with time management, this might be a useful book to read.
Contains a smattering of swear words

[Scott Wozniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a focused, practical book on how to write longer and more often. The best insight for me was that you can find yourself slowed/blocked for different reasons: practical time challenges, fear challenges, or writing process challenges. The solutions to handle them weren't unique, but they do work.

And I think you can apply this basic productivity insight to more than writing. It could be too much on the plate (or scheduled at the wrong time). It could be fear of failure/self-doubt. Or it could be the methods/tools you're using to get that work done. You can't solve a fear problem with a new tool, for example.

Very fast read.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this book. What writer doesn't want to find a way to be more productive? And what writer can't come up with a million ad one reasons why they aren't writing? Write Every Day takes those excuses and helps you work through what's keeping you from writing more. More importantly, this book is realistic. I can't stand the books that tell me to take a notebook with me everywhere I go so I can write while I'm standing in line at the grocery store. This book recognizes that for most of us, that idea just adds more pressure to the pot, when what we really need to do is to take a deeper look at what is holding us back.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book outlined a thorough and compassionate approach to getting your writing life on track. There's nothing really new here but it covers everything, including the too-often-neglected area of energy management. The author advocates blocking in time for self-care and replenishment before writing time, which seems to me like a healthier approach than the more common advice to just do more more more all the time, skip sleep to write, etc. I would recommend this book for anyone who is struggling to get or keep their writing/artistic life going.

[Michele Mathews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a book to help me write faster. I seem to get easily distracted with other things and keep procrastinating with my writing. Yardley has good ideas in this book. I read through it this time rather quickly, but with a book like this, I usually read through it again and take notes, which I will do again soon. She gave me another book to check into, and I will do that as well.

[Brother Nero · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short little book that gives helpful tips on dealing with stress, writer's block, and time management. If you're an avid reader of personal development or writing books, you're probably not going to discover anything you haven't heard before. That being said, it's a nice short read and a handy little resource book.

[L.A. Jefferson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this on audible and I found it to be helpful. That could be because I'm a very slow writer with no process whatsoever so I found it pretty motivational. I enjoyed the exercise of tracking my time. Having it on my audible app is the best because I can get some quick motivation over commutes to and from work.

[Shaun Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had some good information in it. It was like a brainstorm of ideas. My problems with the book was that she would often throw in unnecessary words that did not add to the content. For an informational book, those extra words should be left out.

I am not sorry that I read it, as it was short and told me some things that I did not know or previously think of.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put the book down! It is so entertaining. He teaches how to write using his snowflake method using the settings of the most memorable childhood fictional characters to make his instructions come alive and be easily understood. The story is not just a how-to book; it's a cute active story that keeps moving along.