reviews

ON WRITER'S BLOCK: A New Approach To Creativity by Victoria Nelson --> For most writers the dreaded 'writer's block' is a hellish state to be avoided, rejected and reviled. Blocked writers often spend as much time torturing themselves for their 'laziness' and 'lack of discipline' as they do staring at the blank page or blank screen in front of them. Certainly most self-help books for blocked writers adopt the idea that the block is an annoyance to be overcome ("Write on!" they cheer, and: "Write now!") For some lucky souls this 'get over it' philosophy does the trick, but if the huge number of books about writer's block is any indication, for many, it just doesn't work. --> Victoria Nelson's "On Writer's Block" takes a different tack. Instead of offering tips for bulldozing over the block or tricks for sneaking around the block, Nelson advises meeting the block head on. Her idea is that the writer is not just passively blocked by some outside force, but is actively 'not writing' for a reason. Nelson explains how by learning what that reason is and understanding their real needs, writers can recover their passion and direction and ultimately become better, more mature writers. --> This book is eloquently written, supportive of the writer and full of great quotes about writer's block from some surprising sources. Nelson discusses the different kinds of blocks that may affect a writer at any stage of his career, from the terror of the beginner's first attempt to the anxiety that comes with real success. There are a few exercises and some advice for ways to ease back into writing after a block, but this is no quick fix: This is a book for the writer who is in it for the long haul -- who is willing to work and grow and change to become a better writer, even if it means not writing for a little while longer. --> To this occasionally blocked writer, the extra effort seems worthwhile. review by Lisa R. Cohen, 1997 -- originally posted to Amazon.com

DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF...and it's all small stuff by Dr. Richard Carlson --> Don't Sweat The Small Stuff...and it's all small stuff is a self-help book for people who are tired of feeling annoyed, frazzled, impatient and overwhelmed by life. The book consists of 100 simple strategies for dealing with everyday stresses like criticism, conflict and lack of time. Each strategy is described in a few short paragraphs explaining how it works, how to apply or practice it and how it can change your situation. The strategies range from physical exercises to new approaches to common sources of conflict. --> I like this book for three reasons: First, it's simple. This is no complicated, systematic "life overhaul" program. These are easy, practical ideas for change that you can read and try with a minimum of stress. Basically I keep it in the bathroom or in my purse, haul it out when I have a free moment, open it at random and if what I read sounds useful, I try it out that day. --> Another thing I like about this book is it's compassion. Carlson's ideas about reducing stress have a lot to do with learning to forgive yourself and others for not being perfect and to appreciate the beauty and wonder of life just as it is. --> Finally, what I like best about Don't Sweat... and what inspired me to write this piece, is that I've found it to be a surprisingly effective tool for making my life better. The ideas are pretty much basic common sense, yet they're also the kind of philosophical ideal that's sometimes easier to admire than to put into practice, especially when you're stressed and cranky and running late and -- well, you know what it's like. But somehow, maybe by making the strategies so do-able and the reasons behind them so clear, Carlson has made it easy for me to slip into practicing the one's I like with hardly a second thought. And I really do like the way it's allowing me to change how I deal with stress. I highly recommend taking a look at it for yourself. review by Lisa R. Cohen, 1998 -- originally written for Busy Signals newsletter