Writer's block! Even columnist Dave Berry has it. He admits that at least 30 times a day when writing his humor column, he gets up from his computer to sip his Pepsi to divert his attention when he can't think of what to write. Recently, he reached for the cola and instead found a coiled snake. He tried barbecue tongs to carry it away, but when it landed in his pool, he kept the dance going trying to catch the thing.
As a writer you may think you are blocked because you think your book may not be significant enough, you don't know how to format it, or since you aren't famous, your book won't sell. Or, like Dave you can't think of something great to say.
Let the book coach encourage you beyond your doubts. Know that your book is unique and offers useful solutions to help your audience solve their challenge or problem. You don't have to write like others, and yes, you can write a saleable book.
What is Writer's Block?
To me it's just that I'm distracted and don't seem organized enough with what's important to write for my particular audience. It's a signal that my brain won't focus temporarily. Like Dave Berry, I need a break.
To some of you, it's like stepping off a cliff and plunging into the abyss. You don't have all the answers to start, so it becomes overwhelming to even put words to paper..
Why do we have Writer's Block?
1. We have too many ideas/ choices. We need to focus on one thing at a time. Write down 3-4 topics you are passionate about. Take some deep breaths, and let the #1 come forth. Write on one book primarily, and just put new ideas into the others' folder. Stay with your #1 book until you finish it. When we don't finish a project, we feel guilty--and hence more stuck!
2. Fear. Really, "False Evidence Appearing Real." Our performance anxiety keeps us from taking that next step. However, we can get direction and skills from a how-to book on writing or a qualified book coach if we are willing.
3. We don't have enough information to move forward to write a clear, compelling book. Perhaps we aren't sure of how to publish our book. Or, we don't know how to put a chapter together. Book writing information is easily available from the Internet. Do a search on "book coaching" and find helpful resources.
4. It seems an enormous task in time and money. What most emerging authors don't realize is that they don't have to write the "end all, be all" book. Just choose one focus such as solving one problem or writing for only one preferred audience per book. Targeted audiences are much easier to sell to.
How to Get Unstuck
1. Warm up! Writers need to relax, get into alpha state each time before they write. So take deep belly breaths for 1-2 minutes first. Another way to set up your book writing success is to listen to relaxing music before you set out to write. You may even warm up by handwriting something before you commit it to your computer.
2. Got the blank page blues? Write a little the day before-then you have a partial page to hook new related, information onto. I wrote this article in two sittings because I didn't like my old introduction.
3. Switch tasks, but honor a time set aside for writing each day. If you are stuck in #1 book, add research stories, or how to's to the #2 book. If stuck on one chapter, start or work on another one.
4. Organize your book, both on your computer and in paper files. For your book, name it and save as the main folder. Add new files to this folder such as
- The introduction
- Chapter One and the rest
- Table of Contents with Chapter Titles
- The back cover, sales letter, or 30-60 Second Tell and Sell (sales message).
5. Start a promotion folder too. Name one folder "traditional" and another one "online." Start adding files of promotion information as it comes to you.
Then, when your book is almost finished, you'll have your promotion foundation ready to hit the ground running for fast, continuous sales that keep your cash flow going.
6. Love your topic. When you have passion for your book, you won't have many blocks. You'll be excited to sit down and spend special time each week on it. You may want to work daily like I do. When you do one "high level" activity a day on your book, you will finish before you know it and you will feel exhilarated and satisfied at your results.
Remember a page a day yields 365 pages a year. Think about a shorter book of only 25-50 pages you can deliver as an eBook or print book. You can finish one in less than a month!
Judy Cullins, 20-year book and Internet Marketing Coach, Author of 10 eBooks including "Write your eBook Fast," and "How to Market your Business on the Internet," she offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, The Book Coach Says...and Business Tip of the Month at http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml and over 140 free articles. Email her at http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml
shuttle from O'Hare Brocton .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareDay after day, writers tend to sit for hours writing... Read More
Writers often get stuck because they make assumptions about writing,... Read More
Self-examination sheds light on a writers motives, goals, and aspirations,... Read More
How to Start Your Story with a BangThe purpose of... Read More
Remember back in the dark days of your school years... Read More
To keep it simple and basic: Jack Finney's Invasion of... Read More
On the first day of a bright and shiny new... Read More
Being a great writer is no longer enough if you... Read More
If you are looking for copywriter books, you'll want to... Read More
Back in the mid to late 1980s I was a... Read More
Writing is a personal and introspective process. To share with... Read More
There is a lot of confusion about recommendation letters.Recommendation letters... Read More
Writing engaging articles and energizing ad copy takes... Read More
Questions and answers on writing life experiences for ourselves and... Read More
Prolific authors write; they don't just dream about it. A... Read More
FERRETING OUT WORK You keep hearing that there's work out... Read More
Productivity begins by recognizing and valuing your brilliance, time, and... Read More
Balance your life ... Read More
User documentation is all too often written by programmers for... Read More
William Faulkner, the great Mississippi writer, said, "The tools I... Read More
As a student of Spanish, my goal was to think... Read More
Did you know that your back cover information is, after... Read More
The rejection letter says: "Your story, on the surface, appears... Read More
Short Story Writing Tips -We've established what a title should... Read More
If you think proofreading equals editing, then you're wrong! Editing... Read More
Chicago charter limousine service Hickory Hills ..1. SECRETS TO SUCCESS2. MAKING A POWERFUL FIRST IMPRESSION3. AVOID... Read More
Freelance writer STANLEY BURKHARDT has a passion for animals. He... Read More
I'm a writing fool! 2 book proposals, 1 user's guide,... Read More
I recently set up a website to promote a new... Read More
So you're one of 20 million Americans who want to... Read More
Style manuals are all well and good, and in fact,... Read More
For those looking at the jobs listings for writers, they... Read More
Have you ever wondered why some people can make millions... Read More
Being a great writer is no longer enough if you... Read More
I've noticed a big shift away from traditional horror recently,... Read More
A few days ago, I critiqued a chapter for a... Read More
1) Can you summarize the story in about a sentence... Read More
What do you mean, you don't have a website yet?... Read More
Typically when falling asleep in bed at night great thoughts... Read More
The Blogfest 2005 Writing Contest has only been running for... Read More
Suspense novels are probably the easiest novels to write. Suspense... Read More
To keep it simple and basic: Jack Finney's Invasion of... Read More
Whenever you sit down to plot a story (or even... Read More
1. Write it fast, fix it later.2. Commit to writing... Read More
In the ten years that I've taught people how to... Read More
If you haven't realized the success you wanted last year,... Read More
Have you ever wondered why certain writers are able to... Read More
We all know people who ramble. They include every boring... Read More
I do on occasion run out of ideas for my... Read More
1. Before you write anything down define not what you... Read More
Writing |