Black Irish Entertainment LLC Running Down a Dream: Your Road Map To Winning Creative Battles Paperback – Import, 3 July 2018

I have followed Tim on The Story Grid podcast since almost the beginning. I have taken a weekend workshop with Tim and Shawn. I bought the book because the qualities about Tim that I appreciate and admire most are his willingness to put himself out there, in raw form, for all of us to learn from and his incredible ability to shoulder weekly criticism. He seems to truly understand and expect that when Shawn critiques his work, it is coming from a place of his mentor really trying to pull the gems from the rubble. Tim is steady and patient and accepting.So, I had heard the process of the making of this book on the podcast and I felt as if reading it would give me a deeper view into how Tim has managed to come to this place of humility in the face of scrutiny, as well as how he succeeded in slaying his dragon. I also bought it because I firmly believe in supporting the people in my world who are helping me to grow. Tim's vulnerability has made me a better writer. I went into the read of the book assuming I'd be glad I did.It is a quick read and contains a very personal story that offers excellent techniques for anyone desiring to move forward on a creative journey. It was great. I was not disappointed and felt as if Tim carried me through an intimate story in order to offer hope and a path for those who struggle. Worth every penny.

You know how so many people, in life, marriage, parenting, faith, and in business make it look like it's all so easy? Like they don't ever have days where they're flat out on the floor, crying, tearing out their hair, feeling hopeless and seriously considering quitting?Yeah. All the posturing and pretending gets old. And it's discouraging. And it's not real.Tim Grahl is one of the few who pull back the curtain on the whole process of starting a new freelance venture - not telling us about the five keys to success or the core principles of mindfulness, but the brass tacks, daily terror and obstacles involved, and how that really looks.It's real. It's honest. It's refreshing and encouraging.Feel like giving up sometimes? Or like you're just pretending to know what you're doing?We all feel like that sometimes.Congratulations. You're normal.Now sweep up the hair you just tore out, mop up the tears, and get back to the work of it. ;)You can do this.That's my takeaway from this book.Thanks, Tim, for giving me the permission I apparently needed, to walk this messy, convoluted, vastly confusing path.I can see this will be a book I'll revisit, especially when the walls are closing in (again!) and the next cycle of struggling begins.Thanks for keeping it real. ;)

I love this book. It's not your usual glossy self-help guide, but more like reading a journal of someone who has been in the trenches with some very dark moments. I actually read this book a few years ago, but picked it up again this week when I found that I was still not where I wanted to be in terms of reaching my own creative goals. It's the sort of book that sticks with you, and I'm sure I will dip into it several more times as I start in earnest on the scary path of self-employment. There is a good balance between anecdotes and practical tools. Highly recommended.

This is a great read for anyone who has a dream and is.... stuck. It’s raw and personal. And for me, inspiring!

I have been listening to the Story Grid podcast for a couple of years now. Since Tim and Shawn talked about this book on the show, I figured I would read it. I wanted to see the end product after listening to all the episodes about the creation of this book. But I didn't think Tim's advice actually applied to my life. I thought I had already figured out all the nuts and bolts of "running down a dream."My bad. This book is a GOD SEND.I'm a stay-at-home mom who has published one book (a memoir about PPD), and now I'm starting to write the first book in a fantasy series. I figured I just have to do the work whenever my kids are at school and eventually, I'll finish my first novel. But this book is filled with so many practical tips, it has helped me not just with my writing, but with my mom-ing. I want to give this book to every writer I know, every artist I know, and every mom. If I ever win the lottery, that's what I'll do.I was already a huge Story Grid fan when I started this book, but now that I have seen what Tim and Shawn did, I will follow Story Grid methods to the grave. And I'll be keeping my copy of this book and consulting it from time to time to reincorporate the tips into my life. (I know some people who read these reviews will just want the tips so they don't have to read the book. Don't be lazy! Don't be cheap! This book is worth every penny. The tips on their own are helpful, but Tim's story is inspiring. This book has muscles, but it also has heart.)Thank you, Tim, for doing the work and sharing such a beautiful book with the world.Final note: If you are a Steven Pressfield fan, then I think you'll love this book.