resources

resources

Here are some of the resources I've found helpful in dealing with writer's block.

Writer's Block Forum
I am trying an experiment here. I get many notes from writers who feel alone in their block and others from writers who have managed to find ways out. I love getting these e-mails (even though I am sometimes slow to answer) and it occurred to me that it might be useful if some of you could communicate with each other as well. To that end I have started a writer's block forum here on the site. I hope it will be a place where blocked writers can unload a little angst and provide support and encouragement for each other.
So, go for it. Whine a little, offer support, post your favorite writing quotes, exercises, links and tips or just write a little. I'll try to keep the spam and meanies out and we'll see how it goes.

Books

	Writing in Flow : Keys to Enhanced Creativity by Susan K. Perry Ppbk, Writers Digest Books August 2001 ISBN: 1582970866 review pending
	On Writer's Block by Victoria Nelson Ppbk, Houghton Mifflin Co March 1993 ISBN: 0395647274 read my review
	Bird by Bird : Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott Ppbk, Anchor October 1995 ISBN: 0385480016
	Don't Sweat The Small Stuff... and it's all small stuff by Dr. Richard Carlson trade ppbk, Hyperion, 1997 ISBN 0-7868-8185-2 read my review
	When You Can You Will : Why You Can't Always Do What You Want to Do...and What to Do About It by Lynne Bernfield Hardcover, Lowell House 1993 ISBN: 1565650085

Online Resources

Another kick start program that appeals to me enough that I joined last November. The National Novel Writing Month contest. What I particularly like about this one is the attitude which is, turn off your inner editor and write. To quote from their site: "Make no mistake: You will be writing a lot of crap. And that's a good thing. Because by forcing yourself to write so intensely, you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. To forgo the endless tweaking and editing and just create. To build without tearing down." Check it out.

James Patrick Kelly's articles on writing have helped me deal with writer's block in an indirect way. For instance, using the technique in his article "Murder Your Darlings" I started cutting an unfinished story I was stuck on and ended up paring away enough dross to find the heart of the thing. The rest of the site is pretty cool too.

I found Melisa Michaels' article Stalled Careers, Writer's Block, and Monsters Under the Bed from the SFWA bulletin kind of reassuring -- she suffered a major block and recovered from it.

Another article I found inspriing and reassuring was Nancy Etchemendy's Writers and Depression from Speculations, in which the writer writes very openly and personally about her experiences.

Here is a fun one. Sometimes I find it helpful to use a structured exercise to get back into writing after a long time away. Joanne Reid's Write A Novel in 10 Weeks seems like a gentle and practical route to try. Despite the title it's not one of those awful gung-ho, get your ass writing type of sites, it seems more of the work at it slow and steady variety and the tone is encouraging rather than punitive.

m a i n m e n u / m y o w n p a g e