NOTE: this is a rare (3/5) negative(ish) review. I don’t do (many) of these. Ordinarily, if I don’t LOVE the book I’m reading, I drop it like a hot potato covered in TRUMP and COVID. That means I start a lot more books than I actually finish. Maybe I should make a practice of staying with it. But there’s too many good books and not enough time. So try as I may, I simply can’t finish a book that sucks. Unless I really want to write a negative review about the book. Which I almost never do. Because I just don’t like negative reviews.

That is….

Unless the book is required reading for a class.

As this one is for me.

And that is LITERALLY the ONLY reason I kept reading after the first few pages.

So anyway.

In case you haven’t figured it out yet.

This is a negative review.

I didn’t really like this book.

I didn’t find it it to be very helpful.

It’s dated, and too general, and overly (almost entirely) focused on aspects of publishing and marketing.

And not at all focused on craft, methodology or process.

Which is what I want and need.

I found it odd that a book titled ‘Write From The Start’ (a) didn’t discuss the writing part all that much, and (b) focused on the parts that come after the writing e.g. hiring an editor, choosing a cover and deciding to self publish verses traditionally publish.

I think it should’ve been called:

“What To Start After You Write”

Or something like that.

Not nearly as cute.

But much more accurate.

But what the fuck do I know about writing a book?

Not much.

That’s why I read it.

Well…

Sort of.

As previously mentioned.

It’s a required text for a course on nonfiction writing that I am currently taking.

It’s the last course in my doctoral program before the dissertation phase (officially kicks off).

When I started this degree (back in 2016 - and yes it will take me like 10 years to finish my doctorate) I made myself a promise that I would take this course.

And I saved it for the very end.

And it has been motivating me this whole time.

Because…

I have a secret (shhhh) desire to write a book.

Or at least a few articles.

I love writing.

I love learning about stuff and sharing it with people.

And.

Being a therapist is really cool and weird.

None of the books that are available on the subject match my experience.

And i’d like to share what it’s honestly like.

At least for me.

I think it could normalize someone else’s experience.

Or maybe it’ll just memorialize the fact that I’m a freak who should not be allowed to do this work.

My secret suspicion.

Either way.

I think it should happen if I can swing it.

Also.

I’m working on a dissertation on addiction and trauma.

I want to translate my research into a book for a general audience.

Lastly.

Being in recovery my self, and after working in addiction treatment for minute or two, I have some inside baseball on the subject that may be useful.

Maybe not for everyone.

But for someone.

Just maybe.

But only (ONLY) if it sees the light of day.

So that is my confession.

And after reading this book.

I don’t feel any more prepared to embark on this project than I did before I read the book.

That might just be a feature of my neurotic ass self.

You might find this book very helpful.

So don’t skip it because of this stupid fucking review.

But from where I’m sitting (I’m sitting right now by the way). This book sort of sucked. So I’m giving it three out of five stars ⭐️.

NOTE: I have so much respect for people who write books. It seems like it’s really hard. So giving a book 3/5 from the comfort of my easy chair always seems like a gross dick thing to do. Plus the author of this book seems like a really nice (British) lady. And I would hate it if these words somehow found her eyeballs and somehow hurt her feelings or discouraged her from writing another book.

But I really doubt she’s gonna read this.

And she talks about receiving criticism.

And the whole function of good reads is to let people like you and me write honest reviews of books.

So 3/5 stars ⭐️ (with a long neurotic disclaimer).