Writer’s block
Posted By Amanda Collins on March 5, 2009
As a writer of materials for others, it's sometimes challenging to get my carcass in gear and actually start writing things for myself. Granted, I have my PDA (that's right, PDA; I'll get an iPhone or Blackberry eventually) set to remind me to blog twice weekly and send out my newsletter every three weeks. Of course, I can just click the "okay" button and this gentle reminder fades into the background. Worse yet, I can delete the offensive reminder altogether.
But how far does that get me?
I recently met with Patricia Brooks, a book shepherd who assists writers get their books out to the waiting public. What she doesn't do, however, is actually help one write. Of course, once I do get my helpful hints into the computer and out of my head, Patricia will be waiting to assist me in creating an appealing presentation and then put the book into the hands of job seekers (and others).
So what is this magic formula for making a book flow? I recently reviewed an amazing book for a client. Written in the style of Dante's Inferno, it's a masterpiece of rhymes and reason. How long must it have taken this writer to complete? I can't get the ideas out, much less get them out in anything other than rote prose.
So it goes for a writer, I suppose. I continue to type useful words and phrases for my clients to advance their careers, expand their SEO, and get them known in the world. One day, I will go away to a beach or mountain with my laptop and write for myself. Well, as long as there's no Tivo or Internet there.