Discover Your Writing Self: 31 Days to Deeper Understanding of Who You Are as a Writer

by Andi Cumbo-Floyd

Not everyone can write every day at 5am, and that’s totally okay. One-size-fits-all writing advice doesn’t work for anyone. In Discover Your Writing Self, you’ll find 31 lessons to help you think through who YOU are as writer. Through shorts essays and questions, you will explore everything from the fears you have as a writer and your reasons for writing to the best times of the day and year and the ideal environment for your writing practice. In these pages, you’ll find no “shoulds” and no shame. Instead, Andi will walk you through honest queries and encouragement designed to help YOU be the best writer YOU can be at this time in your life. If you feel overwhelmed or confused by all the writing advice out there, this book will help you sort through it in a way that is authentic and genuine for you.

Genres: Writing

140 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2016

About the author

I’m a writer, an editor, a cross-stitcher, and a reader.

I write books about writing, magical realism for middle grade and young adult readers, and cozy mysteries as ACF Bookens.

My husband, adorable toddler, three dogs and three cats have the gift of living in Virginia's beautiful Blue Ridge.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not like most writing advice you'll receive, and that's a good thing. In Discover Your Writing Self, Andi Cumboo-Floyd guides her writer-readers through reflection questions to help us create our own best writing selves. Unlike some writing advice that says "all writers must," in this book, Andi asks dozens of questions that are unique to each writer.

Questions like: "When do you write best?" "What do you write?" "What do you fear?" "When do you feel that fear most?" "Who do you write for?"

I think my favorite thing about this book is it's not a one-size-fits-all method, nor does it claim to be. Andi fully recognizes that every writer, every person, every season of life is different and none of us can thrive if we "should" ourselves into following writing advice that doesn't fit our lives. (Get up at 5 a.m. and write? Sure, but only if that's what works for you.)

"Life is not ideal," Andi writes, "and we cannot always predict what will come. What we can do is recognize who we are in the world, how we work best, what demands are placed on our time, and what schedules might be most likely to bring us good time to write."

I wish I had heard this advice years ago as a writer.

The book is set up to take you through 31 days of reflection. You can skip around, take it more slowly or more quickly, but taking time with the questions only you can answer at the end of each chapter will maximize the value from reading this book. (Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of the book in exchange for my review.)

Discover Your Writing Self is a valuable resource from an experienced professional who serves as a gentle guide. This book will not place unmeetable expectations on you as a writer but might just free you to become your best writing self.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been struggling with my writing process for a while, and Andi showed me why. I've been trying to do what other people do in their writing lives, and it simply doesn't work for me. I need routines, rituals, and relationships to maintain my practice. I spend most of my days with none of these and hope that the words just come from somewhere. I get it now. I need structure.

So much of Andi's writing on writing feels like it was meant just for me. But apparently I'm not the only one. If you're reading this review, you probably need it too.

[Emilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my problems with a great many writing books is how narrow-minded and dogmatic they can get. "If you don't write this many words every day, you're a failure." "You either can write or you don't have the skill. If you're not talented off the bat, don't bother trying." "You need to write for the market or what's the point." "You need to write postmodern artsy literary fic, or what's the point."

This book is a treasure because Cumbo-Foyd understands not all writers write at the same pace, want the same things from their career, or have the same immediate level of skill. She is encouraging and flexible, perfect for the insecure writer or those still trying to find their voice.

[Cheryl Tuskes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking & honest.

A must read whether you're a newbie or a seasoned writer. Her honesty about her own writing life inspired me to be honest with myself and not give up.

Thanks Andi!

[Debra Smouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

It doesn't matter if you are new to creating a dedicated writing practice or have been writing for decades, there are nuggets of brilliance within Discover Your Writing Self.

Divided into easy-to-digest lessons, you'll get to the heart of what compels you to put pen to paper and how to create a sustainable practice.

I was a participant in Cumbo-Floyd's email version of this course AND snapped up the Kindle Version for personal and future reference....so when I have those days (or weeks) of my writing practice feeling stale or as if something isn't fitting right, I have some tools and exercises to experiment with.

A wonderful addition to my books on the craft of writing. It's a book I'll refer back to time and time again.

[Vibeke Mouridsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not another book about writing. Indeed, it is far from traditional writing books giving answers. This is a book asking questions about you as a writer and about your writing life. The questions are dealing with how you see yourself as a writer, about fears, who is your audience, filling your well, how to find a writing schedule, setting goals etc. All existential and essential questions about you and your writing.
I answered most of these questions, and it changed my perspective on myself as a writer.
This is an excellent book for new writers, but also useful for experienced ones. If you have any doubts in your writing life, this is a must-read.

[Marvia Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book for the writer in you who needs real talk, real writing advice, real ideas you can use to help you keep going in your writing endeavors. You'll enjoy reading and applying the writing practices in Andi's new book Discover Your Writing Self. You'll be pleasantly surprised. And this book will help you remember who you are as a writer and what you can do as a writer. This one's good for your writer soul. I received a copy of the book in exchange this review and it was well worth reading! Happy writing!!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I take writing seriously enough to schedule my time around it. The book puts wannabe-writers through their paces, including the ideas of publishing and marketing, both “must-considers” for writers, whether we like those ideas or not. I don’t write every day, but set weekly writing goals, and meet them. Thanks to this book, and Andi's online group upon which the book is based, I’m no longer a wannabe-writer — I’m a Writer.

I recommend Discover Your Writing Self to anyone who wants to write, and/or write better.

[Vibeke Vestergaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not another book about writing. Indeed, it is far from traditional writing books giving answers. This is a book asking questions about you as a writer and about your writing life. The questions are dealing with how you see yourself as a writer, about fears, who is your audience, filling your well, how to find a writing schedule, setting goals etc. All existential and essential questions about you and your writing.
I answered most of these questions, and it changed my perspective on myself as a writer.
This is an excellent book for new writers, but also useful for experienced ones. If you have any doubts in your writing life, this is a must-read.

[Melissa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and Practical

This book has offered me wisdom, encouragement, and truth speaking in my writing life. Andi's words lend support and practical advice for any writer. As I read, her thoughtful questions and her own personal reflections helped form my thinking as a writer and my daily writing practices. This book will be read and reread over the the years as I grow as a writer. Thanks, Andi!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply satisfying writer work

This book was surprisingly helpful for mindset work as a writer. The author balanced personal stories with challenges to the reader resulting in delivering on her promise to help the reader discover their writer self.

[Lora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that inspires in kind ways rather than harass you to perform like a trained monkey. I like humanizing books and their authors.

[Jennifer Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It gave great ideas and inspiration for aspiring writers.

[Paula Frew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Discover Your Writing Self

This book has many terrific points and exercises. There are some typos, but the worth of the book makes them nothing more than nuisances.