One of the primary forms of writing resistance is distraction. And one of my favorite illustrations of distraction is in the movie Up when the dog Dug explains how his collar vocalizes his thoughts: “My master made me this collar. He is a good and smart master and he made me this collar so that I … More Squirrel!
Someone wise once told me “If you want to do something you don’t know how to do, stop doing what you do know how to do.” So if you want more time to write and don’t know how to get it, here are some suggestions: Stop clearing your desk Stop emptying the dishwasher, dusting your … More Want More Time to Write? Stop Doing What You Know How to Do!
If you think doing two or three things at once will save you time, think again. Oh sure, your cerebellum can keep you walking, talking and chewing gum at the same time, but only because you have practiced these physical activities so much that they are automatic. But when it comes to doing things that … More Want More Time to Write? Stop Multitasking!
Wahoo Moments! Last week I reached a couple of significant milestones and I hope you’ll join me in celebrating. I signed a retainer contract with a new agent: Michelle Brower of Folio Literary Management. Michelle has outstanding discernment – she did fall in love with my book, after all. Seriously, I think Michelle is a … More Announcements!
With the exception of chocolate (which you simply can’t get too much of), too much of a good thing can be another of the myriad, subtle forms of resistance. Obviously, we need to revise, polish and proof our writing before it goes out in the world. Even with the informality of a blog, it makes … More Too Much of a Good Thing
Creative constraints can be a source of resistance; it’s only natural to feel oppositional when you’re being restricted. But creative constraints can also be a source of amazing creative breakthroughs. It all depends on your attitude. This week’s episode of Dancing with the Stars demonstrated the power of two truly creative people working with what … More Do the Im-Paso-ble!
That’s our new puppy Kelda with Blue, my agility star. A dog is not something you acquire lightly. I know it’s probably not practical for EVERY writer to have a dog; maybe you could get these benefits from a kitten or a child or a child-like adult. Or you could borrow a friend’s dog every once … More 10 Reasons Every Writer Should Have a Dog
1. Play is fun! We are designed to play; that’s why it’s fun, so we naturally want to engage in it. This should be reason enough. But a lot of us have been scarred (and scared) by the Puritan stigma against play and the false belief that real adults don’t do such frivolous things. So … More Top 10 Reasons to Play
The Two Faces of the Saboteur have doubled. On second thought, I realized the Saboteur has more than two faces and just published the latest issue of Imagination InkLinks with the feature “Four Faces of the Saboteur.” A link to a PDF of the new article is provided. … More Saboteur Alert: 2 Faces Doubled!
Most writers think of the Saboteur as the harsh inner critic, but the softer, more seductive side of the Saboteur is far more insidious. … More Two Faces of the Saboteur
Bane of Your Resistance 