The Writer's Manifesto [Kindle Edition]

Jeff Goins (Author)

Book Description

Do writers write to get published, or do they write for the love of writing?

The Writer's Manifesto is a small eBook about getting back to the heart of writing, intentionally written to be read in one sitting. It's a call-to-arms for artists and authors alike to kick the addiction to accolades and write for the sake of writing.

This succinct manifesto is a challenge to fall back in love with your passion, giving you permission and freedom to create not for the applause, but for a higher calling.

The Writer's Manifesto will leave you feeling confident and affirmed not because of what you've done, but because of who you are--a writer.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Pow! This is a good one, a wake up call and just what you need to read. Thanks Jeff, for sharing your art."
-Seth Godin, Author, We Are All Weird

"I have worked with hundreds of writers in my career. Most of them labor under the Tyranny of Affirmation, a desperate need to be loved and acclaimed by their readers. Jeff Goins declares war on this repressive regime. If you are a writer, this might be just what you need to reclaim your  freedom and rediscover the joy of writing. I heartily recommend it."
-Michael Hyatt, Chairman, Thomas Nelson

"I loved it! Succinct-true-and applicable. Doesn't get better than that."
-Patsy Clairmont, Speaker and Author

"Do you write to love or BE loved? The reality is that, as writers, we face this natural tension daily. It's not a tension we should try to eliminate.We can't. But it is a tension we can manage, by understanding where to focus our time and energy. Jeff's e-book will help you find harmony in this tension, by helping you focus on what matters most. Right now. TODAY."
-Keith Jennings, Writer

"Jeff Goins packs oceans of inspiration into an eBook that can be read in the amount of time it takes to drink a glass of water. When finished reading, you'll want to drink it again... You'll have to... if you want to truly soak it in."
-Kim Bruce, Real Estate Agent

"The Writer's Manifesto is about Jeff rediscovering his love affair with writing, and it's inspired me to do the same."
-Aaron Goldfarb, Author

"Jeff has declared in this brilliant eBook the silent intentions of so many of us to write once again for the pure joy of writing."
-Bob Goff, Author, Love Does

From the Author

I wrote this manifesto based on an epiphany I had a few years ago. It was this: writers don't write to get published; writers write to write (pardon the redundant use of the word "write").

As I was getting more and more obsessed with blogging and the immediate gratification of having a captive audience, I noticed that my writing started to suffer.

I stopped taking risks. I stopped writing dangerous things.

I wrote this manifesto for me. I am writing these words to myself.

If you find yourself being inspired and encouraged in the process, well that's good, too. But at the end of the day, I had to write this.

And if in sharing our honest struggles together can lead us to know that we are not alone, then hopefully we are all the better for it.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 212 KB
• Print Length: 44 pages
• Publisher: Rhizome Publishing (June 30, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00595KCBI
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,046 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Words For Everyone September 10, 2011

By Kyle Reed

Format:Kindle Edition

Sometimes I feel like I am not a writer. Struggling to find words to express myself or capture my thoughts often leads me to put down the pen and find something else to do.

After reading this manifesto I quickly realized that it is okay to not have words at the time but to keep persevering. Why? Because the reason we write is not for others but for ourselves.

Jeff Goins writes some powerful words that refreshed my perspective on why I write.

This is a no-brainer purchase. Let it be something that spurs you on in your writing and creativity.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Call for Writers to Begin July 22, 2011

By Tom Farr

Format:Kindle Edition

Some people wake up every morning with an intense desire that won't go away. Though many of them make countless excuses why they shouldn't do it or that they'll have plenty of time to do it later, it's still there, and many don't know what to do with it. The desire often verbalized itself in the form of, "I want to be a writer someday." The problem is the word "someday." As long as we keep saying that we'll be a writer someday, it always remains a mere possibility in our future.

If this is where you find yourself, Jeff Goins' concise book THE WRITER'S MANIFESTO is a call to action. Writers write because it is what they love to do. It's not about getting published or being known; it's because we have a relentless drive to create. And we're called to honor that drive by "showing up" and simply beginning each day to write. Goins gives writers the courage to say, "I am a writer today."

For years I told myself that I was going to be a writer someday, even as I would write every now and then when inspiration would strike. Then I realized if I wanted to be a writer, then I had to start writing regularly. So I did, and the feeling of creating and exploring is incredible and freeing. This the call of THE WRITER'S MANIFESTO.

It's a quick and easy read, making its point thoughtfully and clearly, and freeing a writer up to create.

For more information about Jeff Goins he blogs regularly at jeffgoins.com.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Writer's Manifesto By Jeff Goins July 3, 2011

By M. Perkins

Format:Kindle Edition

"I'm falling back in love with writing. With the actual craft. And not the disease of fame."

The above quote came from The Writer's Manifesto by Jeff Goins.

In this short book, Jeff does an amazing job calling writers and creatives to arms.

It's a cry for us to do what we do because we love it because too often writers and creatives water down what we create in hopes of gaining the approval of others.

It has to stop.

Jeff explains what happens when we fast from the acclaim:

"As we care less about our audiences affections, more people will be affected by our writing."

And he's right.

We have to fall back in love with the craft.

The Writer's Manifesto isn't a book just for writers, it's a must read for any creative.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Not Worth It June 11, 2012

By book lover

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I can appreciate the 4 and 5 star reviews - clearly many people have found the message of this book to be inspirational. For them, the 99 cent price was worth it for the encouragement and revitalization of this manifesto.

But the book didn't do that for me.

Let me save you the dollar. Here's the whole book in a nutshell: write for yourself, write to create great art, write because you love writing and have something to say. Don't write for fame, money, or other motivations. That's about it - really. It is an incredibly brief work with that one idea expressed in six or seven different ways.

I just didn't think this idea is strong enough to warrant its own 'book.'

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Every word counted! December 4, 2011

By Matt McMorris

Format:Kindle Edition

Several months ago, I stumbled upon Jeff's blog. I quickly found out that his writing style was pleasant and captivating. This book was NO different! From beginning to end, it was full of helpful insights. If you are familiar with the Pareto principle, you are aware that 80 percent of the information is contained in 20 percent of the pages of most books. Not so here! Every word (even though it is short) was filled with tremendous thought and meaning.

If you write, you would be foolish not to spend a few moments to read this! It has my recommendation!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Near Perfect Wake Up Call to Creativity October 22, 2011

By Max Andrew Dubinsky

Format:Kindle Edition

Every writer should be reading this book each morning with their cup of coffee before they get to work. It's like Steven Pressfield's, The War of Art, and a weekend writer's retreat packed into a 5 minute punch that will wake you up. You'll be finished reading and ready to write well before your coffee is cold.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Spot-on and motivating September 9, 2011

By R. Barton

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Jeff's manifesto comes at an interesting time -- where I'm tackling new writing for me, just because, and in a genre I know nothing about. I've struggled with putting off writing any more because mentally I don't know how to organize and file these new words.

Jeff's piece has and will encourage me to press on with new writing. Even if I still haven't a clue where it belongs, but because it needs to be written.

Bravo Jeff, truly well written.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Perspective August 21, 2011

By Joshua

Format:Kindle Edition

Jeff has created a book that is a great reminder and it will provide perspective to any writer. This isn't a once-and-done book. It's a book that would serve writers well and should be read frequently - it will remind you how to fall in love with the art of writing once again.

More About the Author

Jeff Goins is a blogger, speaker and author. He is also the Communications Director of Adventures in Missions, an international nonprofit organization.

Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Jeff graduated from Illinois College with a degree in Spanish and Religion. Junior year, he spent a semester in Spain, which opened his eyes to a whole new world.

After graduating, Jeff spent a year on the road with a band. Then he moved to Tennessee to chase a girl. In 2008, he married her.

Jeff's blog, GoinsWriter.com, is one of the fastest-growing blogs on the web and a well-respected resource for bloggers and writers. In 2011, it won the Top 10 Blogs for Writers award. Each month, he receives over 80,000 visitors to his website.

Jeff's work has been published online and offline in a variety of publications, including RELEVANT Magazine (which has a circulation of over 150,000) and ZenHabits.net (voted one of Time Magazine's Top 50 Websites).

Jeff and his wife, Ashley, live just outside of Nashville, TN with their son and dog.