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Morgan Gist MacDonald

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Start Writing Your Book Today: A Step-by-Step Plan to Write Your Nonfiction Book, From First Draft to Finished Manuscript Paperback – June 1, 2015

by Morgan Gist MacDonald (Author)

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NONFICTION writers, this is a STEP-BY-STEP guide that walks you through how to write a book. These steps will show you how to develop the good writing routines and a solid timeline, then how to write a first draft and revise the draft, how to bring in beta readers and incorporate their feedback, and finally, how to pull it all together into a finished manuscript. This book also shows you how to streamline your argument, how to make sure you don't have repetitions or tangents, and how to incorporate research without getting sidetracked in your writing. Each step is laid out for you. No more excuses. You’ll be ready to finally start writing your book.

Print length

138 pages
Language

English
Publication date

June 1, 2015
Dimensions

5 x 0.32 x 8 inches
ISBN-10

0996933115
ISBN-13

978-0996933117
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Paper Raven Books (June 1, 2015)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 138 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0996933115
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0996933117
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.32 x 8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #13,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Book Making & Binding (Books)
- #12 in Writing Skill Reference (Books)
- #41 in Creativity (Books)

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Morgan Gist MacDonald

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Morgan Gist MacDonald began her career in academia, as a Sociologist, but soon found the entrepreneurial pull to take her skills as a researcher, writer, teacher, and leader into building a publishing company, from the ground up. With more than 12 years’ experience in writing, editing, and publishing books, Morgan leads the Paper Raven Books team in developing the best practices for publishing successfully in the modern, digital age.

Morgan lives in Denver, Coloardo, with her husband and four children. When Morgan is not writing or talking about writing, she reads pretty much everything, from history to sci-fi/fantasy, plays nerdy Euro board games, and occasionally picks up a tennis racket. Morgan and her family also travel every chance they get, kids and all.

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4.5 out of 5

1,935 global ratings

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Amazon Customer

I do recommend this book

Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2024

Verified Purchase

This is great for someone just beginning their journey of writing their first book. It is clearly written step by step. I feel more confident in getting my book completed after reading this book.

Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2024

Verified Purchase

This is an excellent book the author is very knowledgeable and takes you step by step thru the process, I’m very happy and believe it will help me very much, thank you.

Helpful

Veteran

Helpful for starting the writing process.

Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2024

Verified Purchase

Overall, I would recommend this book to those who want to learn a few good writing habits and might want to eventually transform those good writing habits into a book. Since I have already published eight books, why would I read books like Morgan’s? If I have downtime or am in between projects (which is rare), I like to read up on how others approach writing and self-publishing. In fact, I wrote an entire manuscript on the subject and it will be out this spring, 2024. I find that even though I already know and have put into practice many of the recommendations that Morgan provides, I always find some takeaways, hence my interest in books like hers.

Now for my review. I will start with what I liked and end with what I did not (which is very little.) Morgan talks about commitment to writing, establishing a routine for writing, and includes an effective and fun exercise called “free writing”. She states whoever you are, you can write a book (I totally concur with her analysis). Morgan touches on the ever-important “why” write what I am writing and to keep focused on that throughout the process (again I concur strongly). She mentions writing support groups (they have been vital to my success). Morgan uses “myths” and “truths” as a good method of dispelling rumors about the whole writing process and its participants.

One point that I do not necessarily agree with is that she suggests writing your first draft and then coming up with the “hook,” outline, introduction, and conclusion. I do the opposite, I first come up with the “hook”, then on to an introduction and conclusion, and end up with an outline to get me from the introduction to the conclusion.

Morgan’s appendices contain valuable information that even experienced authors can use.

Now for the negative. Morgan inserts her email address in the book in an effort to offer assistance to her readers. I emailed her and it came back with a message that no such email address exists?

Secondly, Morgan lists her website. I went to the website and my computer got an alert that
my computer was being hacked???

I may suggest that she update that information with a rerelease or omit that erroneous information. For those two reasons, I went from a 5-star rating to a 4-star rating.
Other than those two disappointments, I recommend this book. Well done.

John McBrearty

Helpful

Vanessa Lake

motivational easy to follow

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2023

Verified Purchase

I've read several books about writing a book as i start the process and this is definitely in my top 3. Her language is easy to understand, it flows, it feels natural and like she understands my struggles as a first time writer. My biggest take away is i need structure, a system but i've read so many that made me anxious, including one that said if i'm truly dedicated i can write an entire first draft in a weekend, in 3 days, so when i failed at that, my confidence was in question. Her system, time frame, and of course excel spreadsheet (nerd in me is geeked) for the more realistic process of like 12-16 weeks, feels way better and with less anxiety I'm a better writer, go figure.

13 people found this helpful

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J.L. Cragle

A Writing Coach of Your Very Own, for the Fraction of the Cost!

Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2015

Verified Purchase

Morgan is a coach to authors and in this book she gives you the same advice that clients pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to get.
This book starts out with a bang by destroying the myths that keep people from writing a book. In fact, I just published my first book a few months ago and I wish I had this book years ago. I believe I would have published my book long ago, rather than be paralyzed with the myths Morgan breaks down. For example, I believed I had to write every day, have special connections or be lucky. A lot of these and more are false as you'll read.

To quote Morgan, "..writing is a battle. That battle will be won or lost in your own head. If you believe writing is something only for special people with lots of time, talent, connections, and money, I can tell you right now that you'll never write a book". Amen Morgan! Fortunately, I broke through and wrote my book, but by reading this book and believing it, it will take less time and angst for you to write yours!

I loved the support/self sabotage and writing habits chapters, as they are ripe with nuggets of wisdom that will help you write unfettered. In fact, the writing habits chapter alone is worth the price of the book, regardless of what it is when you read this review!
Finally, you learn about editing and dealing with criticism, a big chapter that all writers struggle with, but like anything, those who can learn from the criticism, rather than taking it personally will have success, I guarantee it!

Your writer appetite will be satiated with Morgan's advice, but then you get to the dessert, which are the appendices. You get a tracking spreadsheet (critical), how to do a reverse outline (saves your bacon and ensures there aren't holes or "run on writing" and finally a reviewers feedback form. These items are valuable of themselves, but to be included in the book just makes it the sweet topping of a writing advice smorgasbord!

I'm following Morgan's advice as I write my second book right now and the process is so much smoother as a result. Get this book, whether you want to write your first book or fiftieth. You can do it and Morgan is giving you the help and encouragement you need!

34 people found this helpful

Helpful

D. Parri

Will it help with a fictional novel?

Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2022

Verified Purchase

Once again, I failed to read the description thoroughly. I am hoping that this book will help me to write my fiction. Update to follow . . .

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

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AmazonFan18

For beginners, wanting to write a book

Reviewed in Canada on August 13, 2023

Verified Purchase

Easy to follow with step-by-step suggestions and examples to customize for someone wanting to write a book, but doesn’t know how to start.

One person found this helpful

Kindle Customer

Good

Reviewed in India on March 5, 2024

Verified Purchase

One of the best books I've read on writing. I've read a lot of self hep on writing, but this one stands out firmly

Vida Jovanovic Palanova

Inspirerande

Reviewed in Sweden on June 18, 2023

Verified Purchase

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Client

A good read

Reviewed in Spain on December 18, 2022

Verified Purchase

This was a good book. Practical tips in a readable manner.

One person found this helpful

Madam B

Super practical and easy advice to follow

Reviewed in Germany on July 20, 2022

Verified Purchase

The book was great! The advice given is simple, practicable and easy to follow. What I also liked is that it’s a easy and shorter read. Love the simple Language and conversational tone.

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