You know you want to write a book. I can help.
[az]0743269098[/az]My review of Why business people speak like idiots by Brian Fugere, Chelsea Hardaway, and Jon Warshawsky is live at Actionable Books.
Go. Read. Comment.
And ponder the fact that I can help you speak like a non-idiot when we spend time together to get your book written
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”
When I help you write a book, I hope it becomes a movie. Even if it’s non-fiction.
If you like Nicholas Sparks I hope you learn to write just like him.
I love quick questions . . . no matter how long they take.
The last minute isn’t as good as the first minute, but it’s better than not trying at all.
I trust your motives.
If I offer a special, I hope you bring the whole neighborhood–and your entire family, for generations in both directions.
If I confuse you by changing things, I promise to help sort it out.
If you don’t have any idea what you want, great! That’s my job.
I love the sounds of children playing.
. . . and I sure as shootin’ hope someday Oprah recommends your book. Or mine. Or both!
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.
If you’ve spent any time at all in writers’ groups online or in real life, you’ve heard someone say that writers write; that’s what makes them a writer. You’ve heard the advice to write, every single day.
Are you doing that? Right now, I mean. Or are you waiting for that Big Project, and then you’ll buckle down and schedule the time and stick with it. You’ll write, by gum, every single day.
Great. Good for you. Just remember, if you’re not doing it now, you’re not a writer.