If you've ever had writer's block, you know that it can feel like the worst thing on earth. Even if you're a professional writer who does this for a living, the feeling of being stuck and unable to break through can be debilitating. And while there are many ways to overcome writer's block and get your creative juices flowing again (and even some helpful tips and tricks), sometimes writing isn't enough. You need more than just words on paper—you need inspiration! Luckily, there are plenty of books out there with tips on how best to beat writer's block. Here are my top 5 at the moment:
#1 - The Blank Screen by William Gallagher If you’re struggling to get started, feeling lost and fed up with life’s everyday stressors – then this is the book for you. Writer William Gallagher shows how to turn back the clock on all those little things which take away from your writing and make your Blank Screen the most productive place in the whole world. Turn emails back into useful tools, use your phone to stay in touch with distant friends and relatives and actually enjoy making phone calls again. Get more out of writing by getting rid of distractions such as deadlines, skype calls or taking short breaks. Maximize your time by learning how to work better in bursts, avoid procrastination and get rid of general writer’s block for good! This is a must-read for the modern writer, whether you wish to become a master of your pen and paper or just want to be able to work with friends, family and colleagues at home. William explains why distractions are not what they seem and how you can use them to shape and improve your writing; why time is limited, so make the most of it; how technology can help save you hours; strategies for coping with mental distractions (email); how the ancient art of messengering has been corrupted into mindless standard operating procedure; how Good Luck's always lurking around the corner. Frankly, William Gallagher is just a bit of a nutter. But that’s why I like him and this book. He talks about writing every day as an activity that creates content, not just words … He explores all aspects of out-of-the-blue creativity — great ideas, how to make them happen and when your brain should shut off from interruptions. This book covers how to take control of your writing life and get rid of the distraction and procrastination. Find out when you work best – and when you really don’t – plus how to remove most distractions and minimize all of them. Guess I could have just told you that... #2 - The Writer's Block: 786 Ideas to Jump-Start Your Imagination By Jason Rekulak Featuring more than 200 photographs throughout, this chunky little book covers every aspect of getting started with your writing. Whatever your genre, whether short stories, novels, or screenplays -- from the sun-drenched streets of New York to the elusive redwoods of Northern California, from modern day adventures in Tibet and Nepal to ancient Egypt and outer space -- you'll find the perfect exercise or idea for reaching your true potential as a writer. Turn any page to find your next idea or exercise that will jump-start your imagination! #3 - Around the Writer's Block: Using Brain Science to Solve Writer's Resistance By Rosanne Bane There are dozens of reasons why you might find yourself stuck in a place called writer’s block, and most of them have nothing to do with laziness or lack of ambition. In Around the Writer’s Block, best-selling author Rosanne Bane uses the most recent breakthroughs in brain science to help us understand, in simple, clear language, where writing resistance comes from: A fight-or-flight response hard-wired into our brain, which can make us desperate to flee the sources of our anxieties by any means possible. Part one gives you practical strategies for managing writer’s block; part two teaches you how to turn writing from a source of stress and anxiety into one of joy and personal growth; and part three shows you how to rewire your brain for consistent productivity. #4 - The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles By Steven Pressfield The War of Art is a no-nonsense, personal, and utterly powerful guide to conquering your inner saboteur and reaching the highest level of creative discipline. Acclaimed novelist Steven Pressfield lays out a battle-plan for overcoming artistic block, and shows how to reach the highest level of creative discipline. What keeps so many of us from doing what we long to do? Why is there a naysayer within? How can we avoid the roadblocks of any creative endeavor—be it starting up a dream business venture, writing a novel, or painting a masterpiece? This is one of the most important books for creatives of all stripes. It teaches about our own inner critic who says that we aren’t good enough. #5 - How to Write a Book: An 11-Step Process to Build Habits, Stop Procrastinating, Fuel Self-Motivation, Quiet Your Inner Critic, Bust Through Writer's Block, & Let Your Creative Juices Flow By David Kadavy Don't let writer's block stop you from writing a book. The steps to creating your own bestselling non-fiction book will help you lose that feeling of insecurity and gain a solid understanding of how to write a book in a way that actually works. This is a short book (around 7,000 words - almost half of them in its title), but powerful nonetheless.
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Every couple of months, I grab the iPad and commit myself to using it as a laptop replacement. But that never lasts more than a day or so. Then, I look at using it exclusively as a writing tool. That hasn’t worked either. Am I weird and just not “getting” it? What do other authors and writers use?
“When it comes to writing, it's all about the tool that feels most comfortable in your hand. For me, that's the MacBook Air. It's the perfect blend of power and portability." - Stephen King "I may be old-fashioned, but I prefer the tactile feel of a keyboard and trackpad over a touchscreen. The MacBook Air allows me to type away without any distractions." - J.K. Rowling "As a writer, I need the ability to multitask and have multiple windows open at once. The iPad Pro just can't keep up with the MacBook Air's capabilities." - George R.R. Martin "I may be a tech-savvy writer, but I still prefer the traditional setup of a laptop over a tablet. The MacBook Air is my go-to for all my writing needs." - Neil Gaiman "I've tried using the iPad Pro for writing, but it just doesn't have the same level of functionality as a MacBook Air. It's like trying to write a novel with a crayon instead of a pen." - Margaret Atwood So, there it is. While the iPad Pro may be a great device for consuming content, it just can't compete with the power and versatility of the MacBook Air for writing. The MacBook Air seems to be the preferred choice for a seamless and efficient writing experience. I’m still weird, but not alone in this opinion, it would seem. What say you? “My three Ps: passion, patience, perseverance. You have to do this if you’ve got to be a filmmaker.” - Robert Wise Screenwriting is not easy. If you’re fortunate enough to choose the stories that you write, pick something that drives you, gets you out of bed each morning excited for the new day’s adventures. Passion for everyday writing comes with time and experience, but also from that incredible story inside you - bursting out and begging to be written. Discover what excites you as a person and put it on paper. Eventually it will find its way into a screenplay. Write the type of movie that you personally would want to watch.
"Now, what is it which makes a scene interesting? If you see a man coming through a doorway, it means nothing. If you see him coming through a window - that is at once interesting." - Billy Wilder Change location, clothing, props, and even dialogue to be the most provocative and interesting. What can you do with each scene to make it the most intriguing? What stimulates curiosity from your audience? How can you peak their interest with each element of your story?
One of the most powerful creativity creators is the question, what if? With today’s technology, it is possible to film almost anything your mind can conceive. Let your creativity flow unrestrained and enjoy the result. Writing to a budget may hamper the number of actors, locations and things like special effects. Don’t let that stand in the way of crafting a unique and beautiful story well told. Professional goals for the New YearThe New Year is the perfect time to set professional goals. As you reflect on the past year, you can start to think about what you want to accomplish in the coming year. Setting goals for the New Year is a great way to keep yourself motivated and focused on your professional growth. When setting goals for the New Year, it is important to be realistic and achievable. Start by setting a few goals that you know you can accomplish. For example, you can set a goal to take a course in your chosen field, or to read a certain number of books related to your profession. You can also set goals that focus on your skills and knowledge, such as learning a new language or mastering a certain software program. Once you have set your professional goals for the New Year, make sure to write them down and review them regularly. This will help you stay on track and keep your goals in sight. Tips for becoming a successful screenwriterIf you’re looking to become a successful screenwriter, there are several steps you can take to unlock your professional potential. Here are some tips for becoming a successful screenwriter:
Conclusion If you’re looking to become a successful screenwriter, it is important to write regularly (whether you feel like it or not), read screenplays, learn the basics of the film industry, network, and take classes. All of these steps will help you unlock your professional potential in order to become more successful.
This New Year, make it your goal to unlock your professional potential. Take the necessary steps to become the professional you want to be, and you will reap the rewards. So what are you waiting for? Unlock your professional potential and take your career to the next level. Check out my book on Amazon to learn more about screenwriting (and writing in general) and unlocking your professional potential to become a successful professional. Great Quotes About Screenwriting |
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