Handling Writer's Block

Writer's Block happens to us all – if not all the time, then at least now and then. Many writers have a particular trick for ending writer’s block that works for them, but it may not work for others. The key is to experiment and find the methods that help you today and next time it happens too.
Let's start with identifying the causes of writer’s block. For instance, stress. Some writers have unrealistic expectations for themselves and this need for perfection creates stress.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Don't expect to write perfect, clean copy on the first try. Scribble your ideas for the story in random order. Write anything. Just get that story out of your head and onto the paper. Then, on your first edit, create a second draft that’s more organized, includes finer details, edits out the problems, fixes the missing plot points etc. Then, do it again, and yet again. If you want perfection, you might rewrite your opus five, six times or more.
Another common cause of writer’s block is running out of things to say. The beginning of the story pours out of you, but then all your words dry up, and you don’t know what to say next.Well, there isn’t any law that says you have to write a story sequentially. Just because the book is read from start to finish doesn’t mean it’s written that way. If you get stuck, move on to another scene, another page, the ending, the climax. Whatever works for you. Skip the parts that don’t flow easily and work on the ones that do. It’s also easy to get to get stuck through lack of planning. You start out excited about a story and just jump in not even knowing how it will end. You can overcome this by taking more time to plan. Be clear on what’s going to happen and what characters will be involved. Write up a short synopsis, outline, or treatment. This will keep you on track and help you when you get stuck.There are probably other reasons for writer’s block, but this is a start. Now let’s talk about some of the things you can do to get over it. How do you make yourself keep writing when nothing’s happening?
Here are a few ideas that might help:
1. Create a realistic writing schedule and stick to it. Avoid distractions. Writers write, so make sure you do that despite the yearning to do something, anything, else.
2. Sometimes it helps to listen to music. Let the music stimulate the creative part of your mind while you relax and go with it.
3. Go for a walk in the park, on the beach, around the block. Let your mind wander and see what comes up. Don’t try to force it.
4. Watch a movie and see what part of your visual cortex is stimulated by it. You never know what will trigger new ideas.
5. It never helps to try and force your writing, so if you’re really blocked, start a different project. It could be a completely different writing project or something else entirely. The idea is to be productive.
6. Switch from computer to paper or vice versa. Just changing how you write can make a difference.
7. Whenever you’re alone, work on your novel. In the shower, in the car, while trying to sleep. Every block of time that doesn’t require your conscious attention can be used.
8. When all else fails, take a nap. Maybe you’re just too tired to be productive. Give yourself the rest you need.

There’s nothing like writing, nothing like the feeling you get when it all comes together and works. When you know it’s done and it’s good. But the only way to get there is to keep at it, no matter how difficult it can sometimes be.

Getting Started on Book Promotion

AUTHOR CENTRAL
Amazon has made it easy for authors to keep track of book sales on that site. Just go to www.authorcentral.amazon.com and join up. You’ll be able to blog, include a video, and find other ways to use the Amazon system to market and sell more books. And Author Central provides reports on Amazon sales worldwide.

EBOOKS AND eREADERS – STILL GROWING
A few years ago, before the advent of the Kindle, the Nook, the iPad and a whole host of other ebook readers, ebooks were not very widely read. Unlike printed books, ebooks could not go with you to the park or the beach. You wouldn’t be able to take your book with you to read in the waiting room or on the train. But now, things have changed. Ebook readers go with you anywhere you go, just like a printed book. They’re lightweight, easy on the eyes, and even more convenient than printed books when that book is long and heavy. Some people even read them on their smart phones. And for authors, the news gets even better: Ebooks are selling! They’re inexpensive; the royalties are high, and there are no shipping or printing charges. This means that even ebooks from unknown authors can compete with ebooks from the big publishing houses. It’s all good. To find out why Amazon now publishes over 900,000 ebooks and growing, visit www.llumina.com/kindle.htm.

TEN TIPS FOR PROMOTING YOUR BOOK
The book sales ( and royalties) for one of our authors were very high, and I wondered what she was doing to promote her book that was working so well. She responded with a list of ten tips on books promotion. Maybe they could help you too:

#1 Have a table at Local Book Festivals, seek to be one of the featured authors.
#2 Set-up at Local Festivals that relate to your book.
#3 Social Networking Sites – Facebook, Twitter, etc.
#4 Create Blogs – that relate to your book.
#5 Create a Flyer – that explains your book and distribute it everywhere.
#6 Book Presentations – speak about your book (local libraries are a great place to start)
#7 Local Radio / TV Interviews – speak about your book
#8 Purchase Business Cards – distribute them everywhere.
#9 Purchase ads on Facebook, Magazines, etc.
#10 Send Press Releases to your local papers – Write about your book.