Tag Archives: motivation to write

The rumors of Morgan Freeman’s demise are exaggerated, but he is paralyzed in, “The Magic of Belle Isle”

Sometimes dying is a great way to overcome writing blocks, and this appears to be true for the much admired actor Morgan Freeman, who was recently survived a widespread social media death hoax. Following his resurrection, he starred in The Magic … Continue reading

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Good book for procrastinators: The Willpower Instinct, by Kelly McGonigal

For those of you who are postponing your writing, you may want to have a look at this book, The Willpower Instinct. The challenge is that somehow you have to muster up the willpower it takes to buy and read … Continue reading

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Watching New HD Flat Screen vs Writing Something

I just purchased a new gi-normous TV. I really had to get a new one, evidently, because we rearranged the furniture. What else could anyone do? Unfortunately, the quality is significantly better than the old TV. There is now a … Continue reading

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A writer must learn to deal with the thought, “I would prefer not to.”

In Herman Melville’s story, Bartleby the Scrivener, an exasperated lawyer struggles to make Bartleby, a scrivener who copies legal documents, agree to do even the simplest of work tasks. But no matter what the request is, Bartleby’s response is always the … Continue reading

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Fertile void or black hole of nothingness?

The good news about having nothing in particular to write about is that possibilities are limitless.  The bad news is you have no idea about what, if anything, will emerge. I decided to conduct a quasi-scientific investigation into the question … Continue reading

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“I’d rather clean a cat box than write.”

At a recent author event a woman came up and examined my book for a while. In an effort to create a friendly connection, I asked her if she was a writer. She replied by snarling,”I’d rather clean a cat … Continue reading

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Why are you sick and tired of writing? Too many fish?

On the one hand there is the common thought among writers of, “I don’t feel like writing today.”  On the other hand there is the more intense and enduring, “I’m sick and tired of writing!” (Variations of the latter sentiment will … Continue reading

Posted in Common Writing Block Problems, PhD and dissertation/thesis writing issues, Tips for overcoming writer's block and procrastination | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Are you wasting time trying to figure out how to not waste time?

It is reasonable to expect that in order to correct any problem you would have to spend time to diagnose the issue, find resources for helping,  learn how to make the necessary changes, and implement the changes. For a blocked … Continue reading

Posted in Common Writing Block Problems, The Blocked Writer's Book of the Dead, Tips for overcoming writer's block and procrastination | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Easy Writer: When writing is hard, write in a herd

Counterculture Harley riders in the 60′s were social outcasts and small in numbers, so they tended to ride together. Ultimately every rider operates their hog alone, but I’m sure it was more fun and probably safer to do it in … Continue reading

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Don’t know what to do next? Do the hardest thing first. Write.

Decisions, decisions, decisions….when will it all end? Never, as far as I can tell. We are decision making machines who have to constantly choose between multiple competing priorities, as well as maintain our energy levels with food, sleep and RockStar … Continue reading

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