Tag Archives: writing feedback

Instead of “OMG! what will they think of me!?” try, “What will help the writing?”

None of us can completely separate our feelings about our “self” when judgments are made about our writing. But perhaps we can move in that direction just enough to prevent criticism and rejection from precipitating OMG! reactions that paralyze our writing muscles. One … Continue reading

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Writing people are people who need people; they’re the luckiest people

If the writing is not going so well, you might  benefit from talking with…people. The process of talking about your predicament in conversation often results in a productive shift. (Those of us in the therapy business are very grateful that … Continue reading

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Your duty to protect yourself from harmful feedback

Many people in your writing life will not be highly skilled in the art of giving useful, non-traumatizing feedback about your work. As the primary custodian of your writing, one of your responsibilities is to protect your ability to do … Continue reading

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Does your imagined audience hinder you from writing?

As a writer, you are frequently advised to write with a clear sense of who your audience is. This helps you focus and tailor a written communication that will achieve the greatest impact. Such advice to writers is fine and … Continue reading

Posted in Common Writing Block Problems, PhD and dissertation/thesis writing issues, The Blocked Writer's Book of the Dead, Tips for overcoming writer's block and procrastination | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

William Holden as a failed writer who winds up floating in the swimming pool

In his role as a struggling young screenwriter in Hollywood, William Holden in Sunset Boulevard pays heavily for giving up his craft to move in with an aged, has-been, profoundly narcissistic silent-film screen idol (Gloria Swanson). Bill has experienced serious … Continue reading

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Hooray! Success!…….then a block

You’d think that the experience of success as a writer would boost your confidence and inspire you to write regularly, with vigor and enthusiasm. It sometimes does. I’ve seen the reverse happen with several writers, who became blocked after hitting … Continue reading

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Desperate cry from beyond the grave: “It was only a first draft!”

I heard about a young man who was having touble writing due to the worry that if he died unexpectedly, someone might find his unfinished manuscript and conclude he was a terrible writer. He would, of course, be much too … Continue reading

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Paul Giamatti…self-loathing writer in “Sideways”

Paul Giamatti beautifully portrays the ravages that manuscript rejection can inflict on an aspiring author in the movie Sideways. He has had a few near misses with his dark, ponderous novel – giving  just enough hope to perpetuate his agony. When … Continue reading

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Writer’s block and the fear of humilation

A common writing inhibitor is the expectation that your writing will somehow put you at risk for being publicly humiliated. That if you put sentences on paper and make them available to be read, someone will read your words and … Continue reading

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Childhood Writing Experiences and Blocks

If you have concerns about your writing process (or lack thereof), it may be useful to review your history as a writer. You were taught to write during childhood, and the effects of these early experiences and conditioning extend into … Continue reading

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