You know you want to write a book. I can help.
I find this attitude so very frustrating.
Do not wait to be picked.
Do not wear rejection slips like badges of honor.
Most of all, sweet merciful heavens, do not go to your grave wishing you’d been allowed to write your book.
You do not need permission. There is no gate, only an open field awaiting all those with the good sense and courage to venture into it.
Don’t let fear dictate to your dreams.
As I was scribbling myself some notes, this diagram grew on the page.
Tomorrow I’ll write about what it means to me. For now, ponder what it means for you.
Most writers dislike marketing. They dislike anything that takes them away from their writing, but marketing is toward the bottom of the list.
I don’t want to turn into a plaid polyester-wearing used car salesman! I just want to write! Besides, I have a blog, and it just lays there, doing nothing. How will anyone find it? What difference will it make, anyway?”
I’m a writer who came at this from the world of marketing (the subject of most of my books) so I have a different perspective.
Here are six tools my clients and friends have found effective in combating writer’s block, fear, Resistance, the lizard brain; whatever you like to call it.
… more … “6 Tools to Get You Writing (Instead of Whimpering in the Fetal Position on the Closet Floor)”
I promised to offer suggestions about dealing with your unconscious fears. Here’s a start:
… more … “Your Unconscious: A Reasonable, Albeit Fearful, Child”
I sometimes share this writing exercise (or rather, who-cares-whether-you’re-writing-or-not exercise) with authors who are stuck, who just can’t make the time to write.
You can do anything for 5 minutes. Even if you hate it, you can do dishes, mow the lawn, listen to jazz, even watch bowling on TV, if it’s only 5 minutes. Knowing that this ordeal will end, and even more, when it will end, fills your unconscious mind’s need for control.
… more … “You Can Do Anything for 5 Minutes”
I met Jan through Seth Godin’s Triiibes network. Jan has finished his book, and wrote a blog post about why it took him over four years. It is a cautionary tale, after which you should go read Steven Pressfield’s “Do the Work.”
Read Jan’s post here: http://janrutherford.com/four-things-i-learned-writing-my-first-book/
One of many free downloads from Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” website is the section from her book (of the same name) on basic tools.
Two tools she talks about are morning pages (journaling every morning) and artist dates (spending quality time with your artistic self.) If you want to amp your creativity and help yourself commit to it download and read her comments. She describes each tool and explains why they’re vital.