TECH: Release That Writer's Muse - Book Reference

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original Posting: Sun, 22 Aug 1993 18:00:03 JST

(for anyone who may be having trouble freeing yourself to write)

You might be interested in "Becoming A Writer" by Dorothea Brande. Book of the Month Club has it in their Writers 3-in-1 selection (which turns out to be one book - I thought it was three - containing three older ones), but the imprint is Quality Paperback Book Club, so you may be able to get it other ways.

Interesting - it is basically a challenge to the notion that writers are born, not made, with a psychologically oriented set of exercises to unlock your unconscious (and eventually your genius). One of the few books I've seen that tries to teach you a mental process to support writing (or other creative arts). Might be considered a forerunner to the books on drawing (pun intentional) from the right side of the brain.

Recommended.

TECH: Writer's Block Book

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original Posting: Tue, 7 Sep 1993 10:38:13 JST

On Writer's Block: A New Approach to Creativity
Victoria Nelson
Houghton Mifflin Company 1993

I think I got this through Book of the Month Club.

Even if you aren't blocked, I'd recommend getting a copy of this. Take a quick scan and put it on your bookshelf. Then when you are blocked, take it down again and let Victoria guide you to understand what kind of block you are experiencing and how to get back in synch with yourself. Seriously, this is like an encyclopedia of blocks that a writer may encounter, with good thoughts about what they mean and how to handle them.

(Hint for our Quote of the Day person - I thought many paragraphs would make nice, if slightly lengthy, quotes. e.g.)

"It is human nature to resist change. Only when an impassable roadblock suddenly rears up on our accustomed route (or rut) do we ever consider trying another path. That is why writer's block, guiding the writer always away from stagnation toward change and new possibilities, is such a useful, benign, and ultimately blessed instrument of all creative endeavor." p. 117 (a section on blocks due to Forcing Talent into the Wrong Mold)

For your Writer's First Aid kit... use when the muse quits!