If wit and wisdom are being elusive, you have to coax them out of hiding. I've found two "coaxing techniques" that I swear by. The first one is so simple and obvious that it's often overlooked. It's www.thesaurus.com. You type in a word you're working around and you're given pages of snazzy words, categorized by synonyms, antonyms, and parts of speech. This is one tool that instantly takes your vocabulary from here to THERE, and can plow through that proverbial wall.

The other remedy I use? Quotations. I've collected quotes since bell bottoms first pealed. It's mentally intoxicating when someone takes words for a joy ride, and I collect especially memorable rides. They prove invaluable at times when I'm stuck. Never more so than when I haven't a clue how to begin a piece. Unbeknownst to him, Mark Twain alone has launched many an article all on his own! When you find a really great quote, it serves as a mental spark plug to get your motor started.

For example, if you're writing about originality, you could use another great launcher, Booker T. Washington's quote, "Do a common thing in an uncommon way." You could begin by giving quote and quoter, then go on to elaborate. Mr. Washington did hard part already.

Keep in mind, no matter how frustrating it makes you feel, experiencing writer's block is proof that you are exactly what you always wanted to be. You're a writer!

4. Make sure that chapter headings actually MEAN something. You may think it’s great to have chapters like “All that glitters” and “Every cloud has a silver lining”, but I’ have news for you: nobody else is impressed! When people are browsing they want to know right away what they will get for their money if they buy book. They don’t have time to look at each chapter to find out what it’s about. The chapter headings should tell them everything they need to know. For example, have chapters like: “Chapter 3: Maintaining order in your classroom; Chapter 4: Where to find excellent resources for your lessons”, and so on.

You have just a few seconds to impress a potential buyer. Don’t waste them!