Just over a week ago, my mom had a stress test that indicated she might have a few minor blockages. She went in for an angiogram anticipating she might need an angioplasty or perhaps a stint. When I checked in that afternoon, my brother told me our mom needed bypass surgery for three significant blockages. … More Emergency!
Yes. And no. There’s no doubt that a deadline creates urgency. Sometimes the urgency generates enough energy to propel a blocked writer out of paralysis and into action. Sometimes that action is writing. But breaking out of paralysis doesn’t necessarily mean all resistance is gone. A paralyzed writer may move into action, but that action … More Can a Deadline Cure Writer’s Block?
There’s still time to enter the drawing for a free copy of Around the Writer’s Block. All you have to do is vote for your favorite BaneOfYourResistance post! I’ve written nearly 300 posts, so you have plenty to choose from. While you’re figuring out which is your favorite and to give me time for after-book-launch-party … More Vote for Your Favorite Post and You Could Win a Free Book!
Even if you can’t attend the Around the Writer’s Block Book Launch Party, you still have a shot at winning a free copy of AWB. All you have to do is vote for your favorite BaneOfYourResistance post! I’ve written nearly 300 posts, so you have plenty to choose from. While you’re figuring out which is … More Want a Shot at a Free Copy of Around the Writer’s Block?
Many writers read in bed as part of our bedtime routine. We read until we’re tired, then it’s lights out. But if you read in bed by the glow of a Nook, Kindle, iPad or other device, you may find that you read and read and never really feel tired. Not until you have to … More Bedtime Reading Causes Writer’s Block
Rachel Vilsack requested a post on how to capitalize on creative flow at those times when “I come up with new, great idea that is exactly what I’ve been looking for, but it happens when I don’t have time to write, like when I’m at work. I get jazzed to work on the idea just … More How to Capture Creative Flow When You Have No Time
I regret to say I didn’t know Ann Marsden. I wasn’t conscious of her work, although I’m sure I’ve seen many of her photos. A coaching client brought her to my attention and sent me a link to a Creative Minds video of Ann talking about her creative process. It’s surreal to watch a video … More In Memory of Ann Marsden
To revise your writing, of course you must evaluate it. But evaluating is not the same as judging. Judging engages your mental filters and you stop seeing what’s really there. Once you assume something is good, you start seeing all the good things about it. Even neutral aspects will seem positive and negative aspects will … More Discerning Writer’s Guide to Revision
Revision requires that we see our writing for what it is: an approximation of our intended meaning and effect. We’re trying to recreate the same ideas and emotions in the reader that we experienced, to induce the same neurological state of consciousness, and we can’t do more than approximate that. The page will never hold … More How Do You Revise Without Letting the Saboteur Attack?
7. Read! I never discourage anyone who has even a passing fancy of being a writer. But I have to admit that if someone told me s/he wanted to be a writer but hated to read, I’d be at a loss for what to say. Reading and writing are part of the one whole. Writing … More Eight Essentials Every Writer Must Master – Part 4
Bane of Your Resistance 