4 Ways Authors Can Talk Themselves Out of Writer"s Block
Many authors fear writer's block.
Writer's block, which often occurs as book deadlines approach, is characterized by a apparent "mental paralysis" that prevents authors from further writing progress.
Authors can prevent writer's block by committing to short, daily, writing sessions and by creating a detailed content plan for their book before they begin writing.
If writer's block does occur, however, it can be cured by authors who put down the mouse and pick up the telephone.
Writer's block frequently is caused by stress, often caused by upcoming deadlines plus an author's lack of confidence in their ability to complete their book.
Writer's block is a cycle: stress leads to a lack of productivity, and a lack of productivity leads to more stress.
The way to cure writer's block is to break the stress cycle by talking.
Talking makes it easy for authors to communicate information that they temporarily can't write.
Here are are 4 proven techniques that authors can use to overcome writer's block by talking: 1.
Pick up the phone and dictate Often, it is easier to talk than to write, which is why online dictation services can be so valuable.
Simply open an account with an online service, like Idictate.
com, and describe the information you are trying to communicate.
As you're talking, have a print-out of your book outline or mind map in front of you.
Simply introduce each of the main ideas you're trying to write about, describe their relevance, and discuss details associated with each point.
Within a short time, you will receive an e-mail with an attached file containing the word-processed transcription of your call.
Seeing your words on screen will provide you with a "first draft" that will restore your progress.
Simply edit and reorganize the transcript as needed, and add additional details.
You'll soon be back on the road to success! 2.
Call a friend, client, or co-worker Many authors feel self-conscious talking to themselves on the telephone.
It's hard to establish momentum and there are no prompts or questions.
That's why another easy ways for authors to defeat writer's block is to call a friend, client, or co-worker and ask them if you can discuss where your writing has hit an impasse and describe the ideas you are trying to write.
You'll probably find it much easier to describe the ideas you're trying to write to someone else.
In addition, they are likely to ask questions and make comments that helps you realize how much you really know about your topic, which will help unlock the mental floodgates that have been interfering with your writing.
Although you'll likely find that the very act of talking about the information you want to write is usually enough to restore progress, you can ask your friend or coworker if they object to your recording the call so you can have the call transcribed.
3.
Deliver a speech Another way authors can break the bonds of writer's block is to locate an audience and record a speech describing the information they're trying to write.
Speeches offer the advantage of face-to-face communication and immediate audience feedback.
You can gauge the effectiveness of your ideas by observing their facial expressions.
Responding to audience comments and questions will likely boost your confidence by reminding you how much you really know about your topic, in addition to the new ideas that the audience is generate.
4.
Present a teleseminar Recent advances in Web 2.
0 social media makes it more practical than ever to schedule an impromptu teleseminar to break the bonds of writer's block.
Since the main reason you're holding the teleseminar is to have an audience to talk to, and record for transcription, you don't have to be too concerned about the size of the audience.
If your blogs and Twitter posts have large groups of followers, a brief description of what you're trying to accomplish might be enough to create an engaged audience for a next-day, or even, same-day, teleseminar!
Writer's block, which often occurs as book deadlines approach, is characterized by a apparent "mental paralysis" that prevents authors from further writing progress.
Authors can prevent writer's block by committing to short, daily, writing sessions and by creating a detailed content plan for their book before they begin writing.
If writer's block does occur, however, it can be cured by authors who put down the mouse and pick up the telephone.
Writer's block frequently is caused by stress, often caused by upcoming deadlines plus an author's lack of confidence in their ability to complete their book.
Writer's block is a cycle: stress leads to a lack of productivity, and a lack of productivity leads to more stress.
The way to cure writer's block is to break the stress cycle by talking.
Talking makes it easy for authors to communicate information that they temporarily can't write.
Here are are 4 proven techniques that authors can use to overcome writer's block by talking: 1.
Pick up the phone and dictate Often, it is easier to talk than to write, which is why online dictation services can be so valuable.
Simply open an account with an online service, like Idictate.
com, and describe the information you are trying to communicate.
As you're talking, have a print-out of your book outline or mind map in front of you.
Simply introduce each of the main ideas you're trying to write about, describe their relevance, and discuss details associated with each point.
Within a short time, you will receive an e-mail with an attached file containing the word-processed transcription of your call.
Seeing your words on screen will provide you with a "first draft" that will restore your progress.
Simply edit and reorganize the transcript as needed, and add additional details.
You'll soon be back on the road to success! 2.
Call a friend, client, or co-worker Many authors feel self-conscious talking to themselves on the telephone.
It's hard to establish momentum and there are no prompts or questions.
That's why another easy ways for authors to defeat writer's block is to call a friend, client, or co-worker and ask them if you can discuss where your writing has hit an impasse and describe the ideas you are trying to write.
You'll probably find it much easier to describe the ideas you're trying to write to someone else.
In addition, they are likely to ask questions and make comments that helps you realize how much you really know about your topic, which will help unlock the mental floodgates that have been interfering with your writing.
Although you'll likely find that the very act of talking about the information you want to write is usually enough to restore progress, you can ask your friend or coworker if they object to your recording the call so you can have the call transcribed.
3.
Deliver a speech Another way authors can break the bonds of writer's block is to locate an audience and record a speech describing the information they're trying to write.
Speeches offer the advantage of face-to-face communication and immediate audience feedback.
You can gauge the effectiveness of your ideas by observing their facial expressions.
Responding to audience comments and questions will likely boost your confidence by reminding you how much you really know about your topic, in addition to the new ideas that the audience is generate.
4.
Present a teleseminar Recent advances in Web 2.
0 social media makes it more practical than ever to schedule an impromptu teleseminar to break the bonds of writer's block.
Since the main reason you're holding the teleseminar is to have an audience to talk to, and record for transcription, you don't have to be too concerned about the size of the audience.
If your blogs and Twitter posts have large groups of followers, a brief description of what you're trying to accomplish might be enough to create an engaged audience for a next-day, or even, same-day, teleseminar!
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