Battling Writer's Block

Written by Joi Sigers


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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 isrepparttar 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 collectrepparttar 128557 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 givingrepparttar 128558 quote andrepparttar 128559 quoter, then go on to elaborate. Mr. Washington didrepparttar 128560 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!

This article is excerpted from http://www.thementalsparkplug.com, a website offering a comprehensive book featuring brilliant quotations and phrases. Feel free to e-mail the author at joi@thementalsparkplug.com


Plain speaking –- 4 secrets for getting your book purchased

Written by Terry Freedman


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4. Make sure thatrepparttar 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 buyrepparttar 128555 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!

Terry Freedman has nearly 20 years’ experience as a writer. A member of the United Kingdom’s Society of Authors, Terry has had around a dozen books published, and over 800 specialist articles in leading newspapers and magazines. His website, http://www.terry-freedman.org.uk, provides free access to many of his articles, a free newsletter and more, or visit his blog at http://www.terryfreedman.biz for more quirky bits and pieces.


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