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photo: bingbing

“The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous

feeling of the words being there, written in invisible

ink and clamoring to become visible.”

~ Vladimir Nabakov

Writer’s block is what many writers dread the most. Famous novelist and adventurer Ernest Hemingway was once asked about the most frightening thing he had ever encountered as a writer and he replied: “ A blank sheet of paper.”

Bloggers must write to create content for their blogs. Just imagine you want to write and you are facing a blank PC screen, would that be as scary as facing a blank sheet of paper?

Today, it’s so much easier to use a desktop computer or a laptop rather than an old beat-up typewriter to write. If you type something you don’t like you can always delete the sentence and rewrite it. You don’t waste sheets of paper.

So, how does one unlock that writer’s block?

Usually writers can’t get started because they try to concentrate too much on the introduction and that bogs them down.

Don’t worry too much - or just don’t be fussy - start at any point. Just write away in the middle and by the time you come back to the front, you will have a clearer picture of how the introduction will run.

So there. Just don’t feel anxious and frustrated. Throw out those negative feelings, be motivated and inspired by whatever that’s cooking in your mind. And right away…write!

Another good way to start is to work on the title first. You can come up with several titles, decide which one can wow the reader and the rest of your writing will start to flow. The right title helps to give your writing the ‘write direction.’

Let’s look at it from another writer’s viewpoint about how to unlock that writer’s block. Author Jeffrey Deaver has this advice: “I’ve often said that there’s no such thing as writer’s block; the problem is idea block.”

Here’s another quote from American science fiction writer Octavia Butler (I like this one): “You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.”

Finally, here’s a little tip from James Thurber: “Don’t get it right, just get it written.”

So, have you overcome that writer’s block and got your mojo working?

Tags: writer's block, Writing

photo: marklarson

As a blogger, sometimes you might wonder which way you’re heading as you spend hours blogging and  losing sleep while increasing your intake of caffeine.

If someone who doesn’t understand this “blogging madness” sees you at it, you’ll probably be told to get a life!

When you started out with a new blog, you’re usually filled with great enthusiasm and expectation…but then, as you plod along, you realize that maybe it isn’t all that enjoyable anymore because you are confronted by unforeseen ‘roadblocks’ along the way.

For example, when you don’t see your blog being ‘ordained’ at least a Google PR3 or PR4, are you gonna sing the PageRank blues?

How many of us do experience this kind of angst somewhere down the line?

It’s the same feeling we get when we’re dealing with other projects like your job, hobby or business venture.

For each person, there are always reasons, either to push on or call it a day. Where do you stand in the Ups and Downs of your career?

Are you a winner?

According to bestselling author Seth Godin in his book, “The Dip,” winners are the ones with the ability to escape dead ends quickly. They are focused and motivated. They usually bounce back.

To them, a Dip is just a temporary setback. They’ll push on until they break the barrier and go on to better things.

Are you a loser?

The Dip need not be permanent, but to a loser it’s a Cul-de-Sac which will never get better no matter how hard he or she tries. There’s no escape. It’s the moment of truth for the loser. Quitting is the final solution.

Godin had written two other interesting, thought-provoking business books - “Purple Cow” and “Small Is The New Big.”

“The Dip” should make you sit down for a while to ponder whether you’re in for the long haul no matter what comes in between or you’re gonna throw in the towel in the face of adversity.

*Markk*

Tags: book, losers, Seth Godin, The Dip, winners