Simple Words for a Succinct Book - One Writer's Brevity Challenge

To be a writer is to challenge youself. When I reach the mid-point of a book I let out a huge sigh because I know I'll make it to the end. But I've had times when I thought I would never get to the end of a chapter, let alone the book. You may have had similar writing experiences.

Writing "short," choosing simple words and creating simple sentences with them, takes more time than writing "long."

Ernest Hemingway was a master of brevity. I was in high school when his famous book, "The Old Man and the Sea," was released. If I recall, the entire book was published in "Life" magazine. Though I was a young, immature student, I appreciated his story line and sentence structure. Of his own writing Hemingway said he looked at words as if he was seeing them for the first time.

"My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way," he noted. I'm no Hemingway, yet I can strive for simplicity.

Jack Dorsey shares his thoughts about simple words in an Art Institute of Pittsburgh article, "The Art of Writing for Brevity." The purpose of writing is to communicate a specific message, according to Dorsey. As he says, "It is harder to be brief with this message than it is to write a lengthy piece." Dorsey's tips for achieving brevity: trim the fat, choose words carefully, cut words, use the active voice, write first and edit later.

My recent writing focuses on grief, a niche that came about after losing four family members, including my daughter, in 2007. While this can be a painful niche, I find comfort in the fact that I'm creting resources to help others. One day, when I was writing an article, an idea for an affirmations book popped into my head.

The idea was so strong that I abandoned the article and started writing affirmations. Once I started I couldn't stop, and wrote affirmations for days. Sentences came to me at odd times, so I kept a pad and pencil handy. Later, I entered these words into the computer. I printed the book out, put it away for several weeks, and made the necessary revisions.

Since mourners have trouble remembering what they have read, I wrote one-sentence affirmations only -- words the reader could remember during the day. Writing an affirmations book isn't a new idea, but I added a new twist. Each affirming sentence is followed by a focus word or words. These words can be used for self-examination, support group discussions, meditation, or prayer.

When I had written scores of affirmations to help mourners, I stopped writing them. I added a short preface, affirmation-writing steps, and a list of grief support groups. Only someone who has experienced multiple losses, someone like me, could write this book. Though it is short, only 60 pages, it is filled with comforting and hopeful words.

Are you stuck on a writing project? Writing "short" may be the answer. Simple words have much to say and can even change a life.

Copyright 2010 by Harriet Hodgson

http://www.harriethodgson.com/

Harriet Hodgson has been an independent journalist for 30+ years. Her 24th book, "Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief," written with Lois Krahn, is available from Amazon.

Centering Corporation has published her 26th book, "Writing to Recover: The Journey from Loss and Grief to a New Life" and a companion journal with 100 writing jump-starts. The company is also publishing her latest book, "The Spiritual Woman: Quotes to Refresh and Sustain Your Soul," which will be available shortly. Hodgson has another new book out, "101 Affirmations to Ease Your Grief Journey: Words of Comfort, Words of Hope, available from Amazon.

Please visit Harriet's website and learn more about this busy author and grandmother.

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Writer's Block and Story Ideas

It doesn't matter if you write fiction or non-fiction, if you use paper and pencil or pen, if you use a computer's word processor, if you are an experienced author or an aspiring one. At one time or another, everyone who puts one word in front of another for people to read faces a blank page that seems to want to stay blank.

Of course no page fills itself up. But when the ideas are flowing, it can certainly seem that way. It's when ideas have gone into hiding that the blank page is so daunting. In fact, it can cause you to believe that you must be a dreadful writer if you can't think of anything to write. And that's when the term "writer's block" rears its ugly head.

Writers can get blocked so easily, it's a wonder any of us ever writes anything. But the truth is, writer's block is an internal phenomenon. What's blocked is the writer's psyche. I'm no psychologist, but I've had my share of inner "demons" and they all spring from the same source inside the human brain.

But it doesn't have to get as far as depression or low self-esteem. The truth is, writers write when they have something to say.

So the minute that dreaded blank page makes your heart skip a beat because you think you've lost the ability to write, here are some steps to take. Try any or all -- whatever works.

Tune into your environment, engaging all your senses.

1.) Are there sounds?

A clock ticking, children playing outside, the roar of traffic, a distant train whistle, a woodpecker. Just keep listening. Jot down each sound for at least five minutes, or until you're itching to write. Do any of the sounds evoke an emotion? Is the woodpecker annoying? Imagine being exhausted and just on the edge of sleep when it starts rat-a-tat-tatting away at insects in a nearby tree. Can you use this as a story starter?

Idea: Why is this character exhausted? Is it early morning or mid-afternoon? Is this a much-needed nap or a shift-worker bedding down for her "night's" sleep during the day? Or is your character on the run and trying to sleep by day, because he's been traveling under cover of darkness?

Does a train whistle evoke an emotional response. I've personally always thought there was a lonesome quality to distant train whistles. Nearby, they sound like foghorns and elicit an entirely different reaction. Still, as the train recedes in the distance, what was a mind-numbing blast becomes haunting, like a memory.

What would your reaction to a sudden loud train whistle be if you were stalled on the train tracks? What if you had a child locked into a safety seat in the back of your car? Could you get yourself and your child out in time? Write the scene, including the emotion.

Is wind whispering through pine trees, whining through gaps around the windows, moaning throughout a stormy night? Listen with your inner ear and write how these sounds make you feel.

Does a ticking clock make you crazy because you can't get it out of your head? Could it actually drive you insane? Speculate and write.

Do city sounds make you yearn for the peace of the country? Do country noises make you yearn for the familiarity of the city -- even the random gunshot and blare of horns? Writing about these feelings will clarify them.

2.) Is there a fragrance in the air?

Is someone baking, cooking dinner, spraying hairspray, using cologne, freshening the air? Aromas can evoke powerful memories and emotions. Think about baking cookies in Grandma's (or Mom's) kitchen and start writing while the memory is fresh. Don't forget to write in the aromas and the feelings.

Have the nearby fields been plowed and treated with animal fertilizer? Did a skunk spray its way out of danger close by? Does freshly-mown clover hay smell sweet and earthy or does it send your sinuses into an uproar? Whatever your reaction, write about it.

3.) Explore the textures around you.

Gently rub your hands across various surfaces, almost like a whisper. Compare and contrast your own reactions to feeling brick, stone, sandpaper, silk or satin, burlap, cotton, leather, wood, glass, wallpaper, velvet, human skin, metal, rubber, plastic, a toy stuffed animal, etc.

Did anything give you goosebumps? Arouse you? Repel you? Send you on a memory journey? Write what you felt with your sense of touch as well as what emotions were elicited.

4.) Sample foods.

Taste various foods for their temperature, spiciness, texture, flavor and ethnic culture. You have to eat, anyway, so why not make it a writing exercise as well? Tune into your reactions. Did something make you grimace? Was it too sweet or was it sour? Did it taste like last week's garbage or did your eyes roll back in your head and you sighed, because the taste was exquisite?

5. Look and see.

It's possible to look, but not to really see. As writers, we need to do both. And we need to see on more than one level. Focus on a small section of a room. The trick is to keep narrowing the area of vision until you've zoomed in as far as you can with the naked eye.

Let's say you picked a coffee table to examine. Even if it has very little on it, chances are the longer you go over it with a detailed eye, the more you will see. Is that a shadowy beverage stain in the wood grain? Does the table's glass inset have flaws in it? Tiny bubbles or other imperfections? Inside the art book on the table, is there anything loose? Anything personal? Something hidden under the end papers?

Once you have seen all there is to see in this small area, try to imagine ways in which your discoveries, however small or insignificant, might affect people in a fictional situation. What emotions did the items evoke? Which reactions were the most knee-jerk and which were the mildest? Why?

The key with this technique is to engage your senses, consider possible character reactions.

You carry your five senses around with you all the time. If you learn to hone those senses so that they work for you on command, your prose will begin to show it. What? You're not writing yet? Get to it!

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Writer's Block: Three Ways To End It and Three More on How to Avoid It

The dreaded bane of a happy writer, writer's block attacks every writer from time to time. It is as unpredictable as the flu, and often more uncomfortable! Why it occurs can sometimes be a mystery. How to end it, however, is fairly simple and straightforward. These techniques will help a writer stop writer's block from paralyzing them, and avoid blocks in the future.

1. Always have multiple writing projects going on at the same time. Even if you are facing a deadline, or have a major project going, writer's block is best avoided by working on several projects at the same time, even if you only work on each for a little bit of time. The reason for this is that multiple projects allow many avenues of thought. If you get stumped on one project working on another can open avenues of thought again. Having another project also helps avoid frustration related to writer's block, reducing related stress and anxiety, both of which only tend to increase the tendency that a block will linger.

2. Leave the project alone for a while and take a mental break. Exercise, sports, or some type of physical activity releases endorphins that can stimulate brain activity and free up clogged avenues of thought. The simple act of taking a break, even a sedentary one, can also allow writers to relax and free our minds from excessive concentration on our subject. This alone can break the cycle of writer's block and allow free ideas to re-enter our minds.

3. Use an outline or organization system and work on different parts each time. This will allow you to work on one section if you get stuck on another. As you progress through a section it is easier to overcome being stuck somewhere else. In addition, an outline gives focus and direction for a writer and allows us to summarize ideas for a section or chapter. This prevents a block because the ideas are already formulated and expressed. From this point they need only be expanded upon and fleshed out.

To avoid writer's block follow these simple strategies:

1. Write only about something that has a strong appeal for you. Passion produces power and that power can easily be used to produce a solid piece of writing that is filled with strong voice and attitude. Generally speaking, this is some of the best writing to read because it tends to be captivating and exciting.

2. If you are feeling self-conscious about your writing and are unsure if you can handle a particular topic sit down with a few friends and have a casual discussion. Keep note of the best ideas and use them to formulate an outline or summary. This will give you confidence that you know what you are doing and will generate ideas that will strengthen your piece.

3. Plan properly for a project. Use an outline. Break the project into segments and flesh out each segment so that the project is "written" before actual paragraphs are produced.

Writer's block is not a condition that just appears and stumps a writer. It is always a result of some issue that can be dealt with by employing strategies that avoid it. If it does happen, and it does to every writer at some point, using simple strategies that clear the mind and allow ideas to flow again will take care of it. Lack of proper preparation for a writing project is usually the biggest culprit, followed by a lack of familiarity with a concept. Using the above strategies will solve both issues and prevent writer's block from taking hold.

David A. Cleinman is the author of Principle Destiny, the historical fiction and action adventure novel chronicling the adventures of a determined Princess and her fight to save her family and kingdom from ruin. A free-lance writer and a business coach, he is currently residing in Florida with his wife and son. More information can be found on his blog.

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¿Creativo de escritura Secret Weapon-se del escritor Journal-The Creative le?

?Cual es la diferencia entre un escritor creativo productivo y un escritor que esta luchando para escribir de manera consistente y nunca sentir que tienen muchas buenas ideas?

En realidad, hay poca diferencia.

Existen basicamente dos partes tienen que ser un escritor productivo, creativo y escrito cerca a su verdadero potencial. ambos de ellos puede ser mejorado utilizar el diario de secreta arma una escritura creativa del escritor creativa.Aqui es como:

Parte 1. esas ideas.

Todos nosotros que escriben son capaces de tener un flujo constante de gran creatividad escribir ideas. si que incluye.

La principal diferencia entre quienes tienen muchas ideas y aquellos que creen que tienen apenas cualquiera no es realmente la cantidad de las ideas que tienen.

Es el numero de ideas que dan cuenta de que tienen, y cuantos de estos que capturan.Aqui viene la revista de escritura creativa.

Por tener un diario de escritura creativa a mano, donde quiera que vaya, tan rapido como un fragmento de una idea es para usted, puede hacer una nota en su diario.Solo la Ley de la escritura de la idea de directamente da el "permiso" para desarrollar en algo mas.

Si tienes la idea en la cabeza y creo que desea recordar, es muy probable que ser decepcionado. no es una debilidad o un error por su parte, que todos hagan lo mismo.

Aceptar que usted no puede cualquier atisbo de una idea en la cabeza de recuperacion y anote el inicio de ideas. de este modo, ya que tendra garantizado que puedan desarrollar en el futuro en trozos mas grandes de la escritura.

Esto nos lleva a:

2. desarrollar estas ideas en trozos de la escritura.

Ahora, porque todos ustedes de su escritura creativa de escribir ideas en su diario, anotando cuando se sienta a escribir, usted tendra gran cantidad de material para trabajar.

Cuantas veces se ha sentado en su escritorio o el espacio de trabajo y fijamente temor una pagina en blanco o una pantalla en blanco, no solo cuando vendran las siguientes ideas por escrito, pero si haces alguna vez tienes una idea creativa nuevo?!

Utilizar su diario usted puede eliminar practicamente todo este tipo de bloque de escritores.

La forma mas facil de obtener su diario de escritura creativa para desarrollar sus ideas, es simplemente mediante el analisis de las ideas que recientemente ha capturado y ve lo que atrapa el ojo y le da un Tingle ' s de emocion.

No sientes que te tienen que trabajar a traves de cualquier idea de que anote en orden, simplemente no funciona.

Siempre ir donde la energia creativa y la inspiracion es elegir una idea o una serie de ideas conectados desde su diario de escritura creativa que saltar fuera a usted, o les escribio alli hace una hora o hace un ano.

Siga esa energia creativa y empezar a desarrollar la idea de en que direccion te lleva.

Un diario de escritura creativa es el arma secreta del escritor creativa. como hemos visto, ayuda a un diario que tienes mucho, tanto de los dos elementos mas importantes de escritura creativa.

?Se puede permitir no estar utilizando a un creativo escribir diario mas?

El siguiente paso para obtener su patada de escritura creativa comenzo ahora con el ecourse de www.youareacreativewriter.com de escritura creativa de la 5 parte libre en

Entrenador de creatividad y agudo escritor creativa de Goodwin ayuda a las personas que se esfuerzan por ser tan creativo como saben que pueden ser. ver mas en su sitio Web: http://www.coachcreative.com

Worldbuilding for Science Fiction, Fantasy and Paranormal Writers

As an author, you do hold the world in the palm of your hands when creating your novel. This is particularly true if you are writing science fiction, fantasy or paranormals (the SFP from now on to save some time).

What's the first thing to do on your way to building a world for your novel? The first thing to do is to decide what kind of world it is, namely:

Normal World: In a normal world, the SFP elements exist beneath the radar of most of the normal world's inhabitants. The rules of the normal world are still followed. A good example of an SFP in a normal world are THE CALLING Vampire novels.

Alternate World: In an alternate world, the SFP elements are known to the inhabitants and the world is very similar to a normal world except for the changes imposed by the existence of the SFP elements. Urban fantasies are a good example of alternate worlds. In particular I would recommend Kim Harrison and Kelley Armstrong for wonderful alternate worldbuilding. The JD Robb books are also a good example of an alternate world, but one set in the future this time.

New World: In a new world, all the rules of a normal world are gone. You will develop all the rules, lands, people, culture, foods, etc. Many fantasy books are set in new worlds and they require quite a lot of worldbuilding. An excellent example of a new world can be seen in Jacqueline Carey's KUSHIEL series.

Once you've decided on what kind of world you are going to build, what do you do next?

The next thing you want to do is establish the rules for your world. In a normal world, that would involve the rules dealing with the SFP elements, whether the inhabitants know about them, etc. It will also involve creating the rules for the SFP underworld that exists in your normal world. The same goes for an alternate world. While the inhabitants in an alternate world are aware of the SFP elements and those elements play a role in their lives, you will still need to craft rules for your SFP world to follow. Finally, in a new world, you will need to craft EVERYTHING and with sufficient detail so that the reader understands the rules of this world and how they impact on the story you are trying to tell.

How do you create these rules?

One of the best ways I've discovered is for you to think of your world's inhabitants (and/or your readers) as visitors to a foreign land. You will need to provide them with enough information and detail that they can understand the rules of this foreign land. Some of the things which visitors to a new world may need help understanding are:

Language: Will your characters use ordinary language or do they have special words related to the SFP elements ala the Harry Potter incantations? In a new world, you may even have the characters speaking a totally new language that you've created. Make it simple for your readers to understand the context of this new language and its words. The last thing you want is to toss out so many new words/languages that the overall meaning of your novel gets lost or bogged down with the worldbuilding.

Food: What do your inhabitants eat? How do the foods/dietary needs relating to the SFP elements get satisfied. In a new world, you will have the option of creating totally different foods and or creatures to be eaten. Again, strike a balance between this worldbuilding and the story line.

Culture: What is the basic culture of your world? Is it founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs? Arabic or Asian influences? Is it current/pop/urban or futuristic or historical. Consider the elements that most would understand given the culture of the times and provide explanation for those things which are different from that cultural norm.

Roles of Men and Women: What are the respective roles of men and women in this world and in relation to the SFP elements? Are women equals? Do they rule like the Amazons? What are the acceptable sexual roles of men and women and even more importantly, what is culturally acceptable regarding sex in your world. Is it puritanical or anything goes?

Politics: What is the political structure in your world? Democracy, theocracy, dictatorship? How does one attain political power and keep it? Does the political world impact on the SFP elements? For example, in alternate worlds, there are often political acts which have granted the SFP inhabitants certain rights or which have enacted rules governing how the SFP elements may not act.

Weather and Geography: What does the physical world you are building look like? What is the weather there? It may sound insignificant, but weather and geography can sometimes be key elements. For example, think of Frank Herbert's DUNE novels. Almost all of the political, cultural, food, business aspects arose as a result of the climate of the planet.

If you get hung up on whether something is working or not, step away and ask yourself, "If I was a visitor to this world I've created, would I understand this? Would it make sense based on what I know of this land?"

If the answer is yes, you've done a pretty good job of worldbuilding. If not, you may have to go back and rethink the information you've got in your novel. But always remember, it's the story that will keep the reader reading so make sure that you don't lose the wonder of that while you are busily creating your world.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling paranormal and romantic suspense author Caridad Pineiro wrote her first novel in the fifth grade. A decade later, Caridad is the author of over twenty novels and novellas. Her latest novel, "Stronger Than Sin," is a paranormal romance thriller. When not writing, Caridad is an attorney, wife and mother to an aspiring writer and fashionista.

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Writer's Block - 3 Techniques for Overcoming Being Blocked

Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, at one time or another, anyone who strings words together will likely encounter some form of writer's block. For most people, writer's block isn't as devastating as it was for classic writers like Melville, Fitzgerald and many other famous authors in the last century. If you suffer from writer's block, you're in good company.

Fortunately, you don't have to stay blocked. Here are three techniques for overcoming this writer's bane.

1. Free write

Set a timer for five minutes. That much time may seem interminable at first, especially when you think you have nothing to say. Almost everyone feels this way, so don't panic. The technique can work for YOU, too. Begin by writing anything - hence the term "free" writing. Whatever comes to mind is all you need to go with, including:
"I don't have any idea what to write.""This feels stupid.""I must be the world's worst writer."

Allow your mind to drift into a stream-of-consciousness state where nothing has to mean anything or connect to other thoughts. Let your fingers -- if you're typing -- or your hand -- if you're using a pen -- be led by this stream of consciousness directly from your brain.

For more suggestions of what to type to prime the pump try:
"The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.""Four score and seven years ago..."and as much of the Gettysburg Address you remember.

If you still have more minutes left on the timer, try remembering:
The Lord's Prayer, The Apostles' Creed, The BeatitudesAnything you ever memorized in school

Chances are, something you write will spark an idea. It might only be a phrase that sets your imagination soaring. Then go with that.

2. Change your mindset.

Think of a blank page as a pristine canvas for you to paint upon with any color, any subject matter, any tool. The sky's the limit. No restrictions, no rules. You cannot write anything that is wrong, since you get to make it up as you go along, plagiarize, quote or invent. You're not writing for publication here. You're just trying to get the words flowing, kind of like priming an old-fashioned pump by pouring in some water first.

If it helps, look at a painting or a serigraph print. Imagine what the artist thought when faced with a blank canvas. Where did he or she start? With a paper sketch? With charcoal directly on the canvas to lay out the perspective? How can this help you in planning what to write? Well, if nothing else, maybe the painting will inspire you! The point is to ask yourself questions, because your mind is programmed to answer them. It's how we're wired. Our minds will come up with answers, even if they are illogical, impractical or incorrect.

Remember, you can write in any style, any voice, any viewpoint. Your story can be set in any time, any place, any genre.

3. Limit Yourself

Ah, but do you have too many choices on a totally blank canvas? Then limit yourself. And if you start to rebel against restriction, that's all right. If removing a restriction will fuel your creative self, then remove it. But don't do it too quickly. You may find a way around restriction that will be a more interesting, or even brilliant, approach.

Limit yourself through form

How about a sonnet -- talk about your restrictive format! Or something more accessible, like a limerick?

There once was a woman named Shelly

Who had such a lovely, flat belly,

She was envied by all

'Til she had a great "fall,"

For she started to "pig out" on jelly.

You see, it needn't be good. The idea is to just get started writing something.

Limit yourself through genre

Maybe you decide on a genre first. That's good, because this defines your audience, and writing is futile without an audience, unless you are keeping a journal. That's a record of your thoughts, meant for you alone. (NOTE: Journaling is also another way to break through a blockage.)

Limit yourself by writing about one character

This can be a protagonist, antagonist, secondary character, sidekick, what have you. Write a biographical sketch, including brief family tree, childhood, education or lack thereof, profession, etc. That should get your creativity flowing. Describe an incident that stands out in the character's mind, perhaps even one that defines the person s/he has become.

Limit yourself with a time period / era

It should be one you know something about, and one which resonates with emotion. Possible Baby Boomer eras could be the time of Beatniks, Hippies, Psychedelic Sixties, Viet Nam, Civil Rights Movement, Sexual Revolution, Women's Movement, Green Movement, Folk era, Rock era, post-Beatles, etc.

Not a Boomer? Not a problem. Wax nostalgic about your childhood -- traumas and delicious memories alike -- about the good old days (whenever they were), and focus on societal conflicts -- anything that divided people and their opinions. If you're a history buff, pick your favorite epoch. Whatever time period you choose, start writing!

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Mother Your Muse and Cure Your Writer's Block For Good

Writer's block is a glorified temper tantrum on a grown-up scale. Your muse is acting out against what it perceives to be unrealistic demands.

Granted, your muse's tantrum will in no way be as impressive-looking as a meltdown from the resident two-year-old, but the result is the same. You're prevented from accomplishing what you set out to do.

Temper tantrums in children can be impressive, to say the least. You're running late and all you want is to get your toddler dressed and out the door. Of course, that's the exact minute the little darling has a meltdown, which can range from a relatively mild stomping of the foot, crossed arms and a pout and progress all the way to Junior throwing himself on the ground, kicking and screaming at the top of his lungs.

At some point in his or her career, every writer will experience the literary version of this experience.

The good thing is at least writer's block is quiet and it doesn't happen in the aisle of your crowded neighborhood Wal-Mart.

New writers who are already unsure of their talents and abilities may find themselves hopelessly blocked as soon as they sit down at the computer. The result is a blank screen and that infernal blinking cursor. It's enough to make someone give up on writing altogether.

Experienced writers, on the other hand, may be cursed by a blank page while all sorts of ideas frolic, unapproachable, in his or her head. All the while, the writer feels the swooshing of his or her deadline as it rushes past.

The result is the same. Your muse, the inner child that is usually so full of life and fun, shuts down and takes your ability to write with it.

Toddlers eventually outgrow their temper tantrums as they become more mature. Likewise, writer's block will also eventually come to an end. The question is how long are you willing to wait?

It's possible to lessen both the frequency and the severity of your blocks by taking a lesson from parents who have emerged relatively unscathed from battling toddlers during the Terrible Twos.

Identify the problem
No two tantrums are alike. Likewise, no two cases of writer's blocks are the same. Once you figure out what the trigger is, you're in good shape to prevent another occurrence in the future.

Mom may realize that her screaming banshee is acting out because he or she is tired and over-stimulated. It just might be time for a nap.

For writers, the block could be telling you that your muse doesn't have the information or skills it needs to complete the your project.

Just as your toddler lacks the verbal skills to express his or her frustrations, so, too, writer's block is a traffic sign designed to let you know something is wrong. Your muse is communicating in the only way it can. Don't fight it. Take a step back and re-evaluate.

Provide a distraction
When your kids is screaming at the top of her lungs, that is not the time to try to instill any lessons. Instead, most parents will excuse themselves and their child from the area.

This is good advice when your muse is misbehaving.

Remove yourself from the situation. Continuing to sit there and trying to force matters will only make it worse.

There are a number of things you can try instead.

Take a break. Go for a walk. Try a different approach. When you return to the problem with fresh eyes, breakthroughs can happen.

If one way doesn't work, try something different. If you compose at the computer, try writing longhand. If you have a portable tape recorder, dictate your project to be transcribed, and edited, later.

If none of these help, it might be time to re-evaluate your direction.

Whatever you do, don't turn your frustrations inward or punish yourself. Writer's block is a symptom. It's not the source of the problem.

Start over
Parents don't avoid public situations with their children until the child grows up and leaves home. Writers should not use writer's block as an excuse to stop trying to write. If you're a writer, you have to write.

The reality is that no matter how problematic children can be as toddlers, they eventually grow up. If you find out why you're blocked and work your way through it, you'll be on your way to becoming the writer you were meant to be.

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Writer's Block - 10 Ways to Get Unstuck

Writer's block can affect anyone who has ever put pen to paper or faced a blank screen. While this is the most commonly referred to form of writer's block, getting stuck in the middle of a story can be just as debilitating. Here are 10 simple ways to get unstuck.

1. Establish a writing routine.

Create a series of steps to PREPARE yourself to write. The repetition of these steps will train your mind, so that when X, Y and Z happen, you know it's time to write. Use this to trick, cajole or otherwise lure yourself into writing mode. Light a scented candle, turn on your mp3 player or the stereo -- being respectful of others, of course -- adjust the lighting, arrange your writing area (without getting obsessive about it) along with any other little things you can do to set the tone for getting down to business.

But ultimately it's all about your mindset. A man in Japan wrote an entire novel on his cell phone while commuting via subway. For him, stepping into the subway car was getting down to business. Create your unique writing routine.

2. Make an appointment with yourself.

We're all busy people. Finding time to write isn't going to happen on its own if it's not already part of your life. You must carve out the time. Only you know your schedule and only you know how important writing is to you. If this is something you have always wanted to do, then prove it. Find at least 20 minutes a day. Don't wait for the big time chunks. In 20 minutes of focused work you can accomplish more than you might imagine. Don't believe me? Prove me wrong.

Note: Be sure to keep these daily appointments with yourself. An accountability partner may be necessary if you're not tough enough on yourself. Remember, it takes up to 21 days to form a new habit. Beware of giving up too soon.

3. Go do something else.

(If you only have 20 minutes a day, move on to number 4.) The idea here is not to just sit staring at a blank screen or empty page when you're stuck. Some people think best when their hands are immersed in warm, soapy water. Others need a cleaning rag in hand. Personally this technique only works for me when I need to work out a problem in my story, as opposed to fearing that this blockage will go on forever. I'm not fond of either washing dishes or cleaning, so if I'm doing either of those things, you can believe there's a compelling reason.

4. Start a journal.

Write about your frustration, your desire to create a book, to make a difference, to gain recognition. You can pour all of this and more into a writing journal. Don't worry about format, order or relevance to anything around it. You can make lists (linear ideas) or create a mind map (clustered ideas). This is your journal and there is no wrong or right way to do it. The important thing is that the simple act of self-expression will eventually unlock your creativity.

5. Read voraciously.

If you want to write a mystery, by all means read mysteries, but don't neglect other genres and non-fiction. Read the newspaper -- you may get inspired with an off-the-wall idea that destroys your writer's block. Read cereal boxes, comics, biographies and classic literature. Whatever you do, read, read, read.

6. Watch movies and TV.

This kind of screen viewing is not purely for entertainment. Stories are everywhere. Allow yourself to be open to all kinds. Pay special attention to those movies that are "based on..." novels or true stories. What events in your life could you base a story on?

7. Take a hike.

Go to the gym. Walk around the mall before it opens. If you've been sitting for hours on end, you need to remember that your body was designed for motion. And exercise sends oxygen to your brain -- a necessary ingredient for creativity.

8. Shake up your routine.

I know this contradicts number one, but if you're a methodical, habitual person, you may need to stir things up a bit. Go to a local coffee shop to write. You may find it too noisy at first to work on your prose, but if you combine this with keeping a writer's journal, the noise shouldn't matter.

9. Have more than one writing project going at once.

This technique may not work for everyone, but if you suffer from "shiny object syndrome," going between two projects should keep you from being totally blocked.

10. Be a people watcher.

Find a busy eatery, a mall, a park -- any place you can observe people. Make notes on physical descriptions, snippets of conversation, social interactions. Then speculate on the stories behind these people. Does the bag man or lady have a PhD in philosophy? Is the sad-looking new mother suffering from postpartum depression? Create a mini-biography for at least one person every time you venture among strangers.

The key with all of these methods is to do something.

No, I'm sorry. Moping, complaining and whining don't count. I've done all of those at one time or another and they are never effective. I'm learning now to be pro-active, because as Tony Robbins says, "Nothing happens until you take action."

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Writing Inspiration: Let Rocky Be Your Writers Guide

New writers fail to understand one thing. Writing is hard. It is not an easy option. It is not something that you do when all else fails. It does not matter if you swim in writing inspiration - that you are full with ideas for novels, scripts and articles. Writing inspiration must be tied to writing discipline. In other words, you must have the desire to write as well as the ability to write but above all else you must have the discipline to write, consistently, day after day, year after year.

To be a successful writer you need to be in control, to be able to dictate how, when and where you are going to write. Self discipline is the most powerful weapon in your writing arsenal. Without it, all other skills that you might possess are useless.

You might have the most perfect language skills, write prose like Shakespeare, be able to network and make connections, you might even have the ability to write 65 words a minute but unless you have the discipline to apply these skills, you are doomed to failure.

A writer must be more like Rocky, if he wishes to succeed.

This might seem like strange advice but take it from me, if you become more like Rocky, you will have a greater chance of success than any prodigious talent. Watch Rocky 1, 2 and 6 and you will see what I mean. Think about it for a moment, think about what Rocky is really about, the underdog, the no hoper, the talentless nobody who goes on to challenge the boxing champion of the world. The Philadelphia bum, who aspires only to go the distance with Apollo Creed, transforms into a boxing legend and becomes an inspiration to us all.

Ah, I hear you say, but that's only a story, a film script, that can't happen in real life. It can and it does happen in real life. Everyday talented and not so talented individuals get their chance, sometimes they succeed; more often they don't.

Why do so many writers fail?

To be successful is to be driven, to be prepared for sacrifice and all too few of us are prepared to give anything up. The road becomes too hard to travel and so we give up, we don't fight for what we believe, for what we desire. The result is failure to achieve our objectives.

So I will repeat this again. To succeed you need to be more like Rocky. You must be determined, disciplined, prepared to make sacrifices and above all you must be prepared to take the pain. For Rocky the pain was physical, for a writer pain manifests itself internally as fear, despondency and lack of confidence. You're job is to conquer all of them, to rise above the challenge and push through the barrier that prevents you from achieving your writing goals.

Be more like Rocky and you will find your writing inspiration flow free and fast. If it helps there is one line from the last film that always plays in my head; "It doesn't matter how hard you hit, it's how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward".

The question now is how hard can you get hit, how often can you pick yourself up off the ground and keep moving forward?

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Writers' Challenges Solved By Virtual Offices

If you're a writer, whether of fiction or nonfiction, you probably face more challenges than the average entrepreneur. You most likely work at home, which sounded great until you actually started doing it. Working where you live lends itself to a plethora of obstacles.

1. Distraction. there's always an excuse not to sit down at the notebook or keyboard: the baseboards need dusted. The plants need repotted. The phone never stops ringing. Something is always luring you away from your desk, and you find yourself working more hours and getting less done because of the interruptions.

2. Guilt. If you're a fiction writer trying to get published, this can be especially problematic. Your practical mind may whisper to you, "What's the point? You're not getting paid. You have no talent. You'll never break through." Because of the endless chores surrounding you at your home writing space, you may find yourself putting off writing until absolutely everything is done. And it never is. So you never write.

3. Isolation. Connecting with other writers, editors, publishers and agents is crucial to your career, not to mention your mental health. With all the electronic opportunities to get in touch right at our fingertips, face-to-face contact is rare, and therefore more impactful than ever before.

4. Lack of inspiration. It's hard to get inspired staring at the same four walls, day after day.

An option worth considering? Working at a virtual office in the city a day or two each week. Think you can't afford it? Think again!

The advantages of leasing a virtual office, executive suite or serviced office in a downtown area near your home (but not too near) are legion:

An affordable work space. Since you're not leasing by the month, it's unbelievably cost-effective. You're not tied to a long-term lease, you're not paying for utilities, and there are services you can't get at home -- like a prestigious office address to put on your writer's business card, use of a conference room as well as wi-fi, copiers, faxes and other office equipment. Often there's a kitchen involved -- one you don't have to clean up all by yourself. And your productivity will no doubt soar, making it worth the cost and then some.Concentration and focus. Without home chores (and home worries) to distract you, you'll be able to focus solely on writing, and you may get more done knowing that you're investing money in your writing career.Professional image. You'll take your writing more seriously if you work at a professional address in an office that doesn't have a bunkbed or water heater in it.New surroundings. Being able to look out over city streets in all seasons can work wonders on your inspiration. It worked for Hemingway. It can work for you.Networking opportunities. Check with the building management to see if you can host writing meetups or critique groups in your serviced office. And beyond meeting with other writers, you'll be meeting people of other professions within the building. They may know someone in the industry or even serve as inspiration for characters.

An executive suite, virtual office or serviced office may be just what you need to take your writing to a whole new level. And you'll probably be closer to Starbucks.

Nathan Jansch is owner and president of The Boardroom Executive Suites in Denver, Colo., which provides office space, virtual office services, conference room rentals, telephone answering, and other services and amenities to small and medium sized businesses. To compare executive suites to traditional office space or subleases, visit the Boardroom Executive Suites website. Read the Denver Office News blog for helpful business news and advice, financial and real estate news, and working green tips.

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Article Submitted On: October 27, 2010

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