Preview
  • Stop Worrying; Start Writing

  • How to Overcome Fear, Self-Doubt, and Procrastination
  • By: Sarah Painter
  • Narrated by: Sarah Painter
  • Length: 3 hrs and 14 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (35 ratings)

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Stop Worrying; Start Writing

By: Sarah Painter
Narrated by: Sarah Painter
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Publisher's summary

Do you want to write but can't seem to get started? Are you struggling to finish your novel or frustrated by your slow progress? Perhaps you are starting to worry that you aren't cut out for the writing life....

Let best-selling novelist and host of the Worried Writer podcast Sarah Painter show you how to skip past negativity, free-up writing time, cope with self-doubt, and beat procrastination.

Along with mega successful authors such as C. L.Taylor, Mark Edwards, and Julie Cohen, Sarah will show you how to:

  • Smash writing blocks to finish stories faster
  • Manage self-doubt so that it doesn't stop you creating
  • Trick yourself into being more productive
  • Schedule your time to maximize your writing output and satisfaction
  • Plus many more tips and tricks!

Packed with honest, supportive, and hard-won advice, this is your practical guide to getting the work done. Don't let creative anxiety kill your writing dreams: Stop worrying and start writing today!

"Inspiring, comforting, warm and wise. Both new writers and established authors will find something helpful here." - Keris Stainton, YA author

"If Stephen King is your writing godfather then Sarah Painter is the writer's best friend - kind, honest and full of wisdom." - Annie Lyons, best-selling author of The Choir on Hope Street and Not Quite Perfect

"The best book on writing and productivity I have read in a long time. It tackles the fear and self-doubt we all feel when it comes to our writing in such an engagingly honest way, that there are times when I was laughing aloud because here was someone who truly understood. Written with such heart, Sarah, in her characteristically kind, and gentle way that listeners of The Worried Writer podcast have come to love and appreciate, offers solid, actionable advice that will inspire you to approach your writing with enthusiasm and renewed determination!" - Lily Graham, author of The Cornish Escape

©2017 Sarah Painter (P)2018 Sarah Painter
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What listeners say about Stop Worrying; Start Writing

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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I could listen to this author’s voice all day every day!

Not only is the content eminently useful, immediately applicable and vulnerably shared - the voice of Sarah Painter is warm and like music to the ears.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

You NEED this book!

FABULOUS advice! Everything from dealing with anxiety (LOVE the Worry Dragon) to dealing with writers block. Picked up some great ideas. New authors or total newbies considering publishing need to listen to this. Even experienced mid-listers will pick up an idea or two.

If you're not familiar with her podcast, this is down home, I've got your back, been there done that writing advice given in the confidential tone of a best friend sharing hard won personal experience over a favorite beverage during a writing conference. No pontificating from on high. This is advice from the trenches.

Her recommended reading list at the end is excellent. Tidbits you don't get from other advice books like dealing with those negative sorts determined to point out all the reasons you'll never make it are worth it on their own. I loved that she gave the inexperienced listeners permission, knowing how many are waiting for permission to be authors. Love the writer's hat bit.

I was nodding my head in the car to the point I probably looked like a bobble doll as I listened with occasional outbursts of YES! and Why didn't I think of that? Time flew by with me muttering I need to listen to that bit again. WELL worth getting.

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Read

Stop Worrying; Start Writing: How to Overcome Fear, Self-Doubt and Procrastination by Sarah Painter was a great and helpful read. This book gave great tips and tricks on the best way to put everything else aside and just start writing.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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inspirational.

I love Sarah's Lydia Crowe investigations series and was interested to see this book under her authorship as I am currently doing a creative writing course with a view to eventually having a writing career. Would thoroughly recommend. Full of honesty, practical tips and inspiration.

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Good "Process Primer"

Stephen King wrote a book a few years ago about writing for writers and prospective writers. I loved it and had I been reviewing it, five stars all the way. This book is of that genre and as this review is just my opinion, it is as good. If you aspire to write, Sarah Painter would be a good place to start. Also, some authors are ill advised to narrate their own work. As is the case with King,(I thoroughly enjoy his narration),Sarah Painter does an excellent job presenting her work. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher and I applaud their efforts and generosity.

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informative and fun

there was a lot of really useful information is this book done in such a way that it won't likely be outdated soon

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Nurturing Practical Tips from a Gentle Friend

What made the experience of listening to Stop Worrying; Start Writing the most enjoyable?

This is a relatively quick listen...yet quite comprehensive in terms of her tips, experience, creative ideas (the author's hat!) and other concepts. Overall, the performance and story were a delight. Also, a bit unique was her delivery...for me, I perceived it as calm, soothing and practical. She didn't "sugarcoat" some of the tougher-love elements, but her delivery was very gentle.
I have not experienced this with other "how-to" books in my many years as an audible listener.

What other book might you compare Stop Worrying; Start Writing to and why?

Relevant authors would be anything by Joanna Penn, Chris Fox, Brene Brown, Elizabeth Gilbert.

Helpful specific additions might be:
Everybody Writes by Ann Handley
The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
The Courage to Create by Rollo May
The War of Art, and Do the Work by Steven Pressfield

What about Sarah Painter’s performance did you like?

Definitely her voice and delivery.
Background ambiance was quiet and consistent throughout.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

My Dinner with Sarah Painter

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to more of her works.

Also, at the very mention of Sir Terry Pratchett's work, I felt I had found a friend.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Good For My Collection

This is another book that will fit well in my collection. The tips were presented well and I will revisit it many times as I expand my writing career. I got this story via audiobook boom and this is my voluntary review.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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One of my favorite books on writing

Wonderful, useful content and a great narration by the author. I will buy any nonfiction she puts out especially if she narrates.

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