Successful Blog

  • Home
  • Community
  • About
  • Author Guidelines
  • Liz’s Book
  • Stay Tuned

Why Dave Barry and Liz Don’t Get Writer’s Block

February 27, 2006 by Liz Leave a Comment

We Agree

Dave Barry and I agree.

I believe “writer’s block” is the normal state of writing; that is, you rarely have anything just flow easily from your brain to the keyboard. And if it does, it’s usually pretty bad. Good writing is almost always hard, and what I think sometimes happens is that writers forget how hard it is, or don’t want to do the work anymore, and they call this “writer’s block.” —Dave Barry

When I researched that quote I was staying with a lifelong friend in a boy scout camp that my older brothers had gone to when we were kids. The camp had been turned into a bed and breakfast. Our room was cabin that had once been the poolhouse. I had an article to write before we could break out the wine. So I went through my warm-up to avoid what folks call “writer’s block.”

Preparation: Accessing the Subconscious

To my friend, Nancy, I probably looked like I was in hyperfocus. Actually, I was. I was doing two kinds of things at once. I was preparing a space to work, and I was preparing my brain to write–accessing my subconscious to see what ideas I might have.

What the heck does that mean?

Ever notice that you get ideas when you’re driving . . . or in the shower . . . or doing something other than trying to have one?

I always start my writing with a warm-up that involves some physical activity like ordering my work area, getting my coffee, or taking a walk around the block. Doing that gives the subconscious the room to let those ideas bubble up.

At the cabin I needed a place to work efficiently, so I went through setting up what I think of as an “endangered writing space.” That’s one where writer’s block is not permitted by protected writers species laws.

Checklist for Endangered Writing Spaces

This is the checklist writing spaces I use.

  • Select the work area. I picked the table where I would write.
  • Remove all things unnecessary. I got rid of all visual distractions and things that might get in the way.
  • Check that all tools are there. I didn’t want to stop to find things.
  • Place favorite healthful, thinking snacks near the computer. Hunger couldn’t tempt me to lose my train of thought.
  • Test to see there are no discomforts to nag me. I tried a test run in the chair and got a pillow to make it higher.
  • Lower the cloak of invisibility. I put my headphones on as a sign to myself, and to my friend, that I was no longer in the room. Those headphones meant I would have to physically detach to do something else. I also listen to music when I write..

When my space was ready. So was I.

Fanning the Flame

I didn’t have a whole idea, but I did have a spark. Here’s what I did to fan that spark into a flame. This part went bing, bing, bing, quickly.

  • I did a brain dump, writing phrases and words on paper before I started.
  • I picked one big idea from the brain dump and narrowed it to the size of an article.
  • I visualized article and decided what my main point would be.

THEN

  • I started in the middle, writing that main point as best I could without stopping.
  • When cool ideas popped up, I typed them as phrases at the bottom of the page and kept going.
  • When I got stuck, I looked at those phrases for motivation.
  • If the phrases didn’t unstick me, I got up, walked outside, looked at the sky for the words I needed, came back in and wrote them down. No other words–talking, reading, listening–interrupted my “break for thinking.” The point was to do something visual, to let the verbal loosen up.
  • I wrote the snazzy ending and the grabber beginning last.

That’s what I did that night in the cabin to earn several glasses of my favorite white wine from Italy, Ronco Cucco. Boy, I do like that stuff.

Why Dave and Liz Don’t Get Writer’s Block

We just don’t call it “writer’s block.” We call it writing. Staying stuck is not allowed. So like an actor or a musician who once had stage fright, we do writing warm-ups before we step on stage.

The good news is writing warm-ups work like scales for a musician or stretching for an athlete. They keep you at your best game. If you stick to it, warm-ups for writing actually make the writing get easier. Just like an athlete–a skater–you break through that wall and start skating with more speed and grace.

Imagine yourself writing when you no longer worry about writer’s block.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related articles:
Writing: Ugh! 10 Reasons to Get Jazzed about Writing
How To Beat Writer’s Block
Questions about Burnout and Writer’s Block
Editing for Quality and a Content Editor’s Checklist
Introducing Power Writing for Everyone

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Filed Under: Writing Tagged With: bc, checklist_for_writing_spaces, Dave_Barry, work_areas, writer, writer's_block, writing_process

Comments

  1. DavidC says

    February 27, 2006 at 12:21 PM

    I’ve read a ‘ton’ of these kinds of posts on how to break out of writer’s block, and I really have to say that this is about the most useful one I’ve seen. Great tips here, and a useful workflow process to boot.

    Thank you

    Reply
  2. ME Strauss says

    February 27, 2006 at 12:31 PM

    Hi DavidC,
    It’s great to see you back here. Thanks for the encouragement. I’ve had a few years to do the research on this piece to get the kinks worked out. 🙂

    Liz

    Reply
  3. Mike says

    February 27, 2006 at 7:12 PM

    That was simply amazing !

    No wonder people pay you to write !

    Too bad writers are so damn poor, or you could get paid to teach them.

    Reply
  4. ME Strauss says

    February 27, 2006 at 7:48 PM

    Why thank you, Mr. Sigers.
    I only told what really happened.
    I hear that the market for teaching business writing is a 3.2 million business. Who wouldn’t want a piece of that? 😛

    Liz

    Reply
  5. Shananagan says

    June 8, 2006 at 4:52 PM

    simply amzaing! I tried a couple of your ideas the other day and I was back to writing! I’ve told all of my friends who are writers about your page and they’ve loved it too! I think another problem with us writers is that when we get a good idea in our head we can’t get it out until we’ve written it down! For instance, you’re writing in the middle of your second chapter and you can’t think of the next thing to say and all of a sudden your idea for the end of your book pops into head. That’s when you have to open another document and write out the scene to concentrate and often it works but other times you end up continuing on with the other scene that popped into your head which is a huge distraction even though you are writing your story.

    Reply
  6. ME Strauss says

    June 8, 2006 at 6:18 PM

    Shanagan,
    What a fun way you explain your process. It sounds great! I get so easily distracted I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t have many windows open.

    Thanks for sharing your experiences and for sharing my page with your friends. There’s lots of writing stuff here. Let me know if I can point you in other directions. 🙂

    Let me know how that book is going!
    Liz

    Reply
  7. Shananagan says

    June 9, 2006 at 2:31 AM

    My book is doing wonderfully right now I’m just taking a quick break from my late night writing session and thought of this site. I was also thinking of a good way to change an hour without saying an hour later, pretty soon after that, changing sections or points of view and I think I have it! I’m jamming to my writing music even though it’s nothing somebody should beable to dance to 😀 but it’s keeping me awake no harm in that write? (forgive the bad pun)

    Reply
  8. ME Strauss says

    June 9, 2006 at 6:44 AM

    It sounds like you approach writing in many of the same ways as I do.

    Here’s something short from my writing blog that you might like

    http://lettingmebe.blogspot.com/2005/09/philosophy-and-joe-walsh.html

    Reply
  9. Shananagan says

    June 9, 2006 at 3:52 PM

    The link didn’t work! 🙂 … I went to work today for an in service and found out it was only two hours long and I was soo excited! So I went home, eat, and I was writing ever since and now I’ve seen the clock and I was very surprised to find it was almost 2! Oh how the time flies when you’re having fun! 😀

    Reply
  10. ME Strauss says

    June 9, 2006 at 3:56 PM

    I’m so SORRY,
    I just moved to WordPress 2.0.3 and it started sticking in nofollow references. I unpacked the link and it works now. Darn it. anyway.

    Reply
  11. Shananagan says

    June 10, 2006 at 11:09 PM

    That was beautiful! I do think like that a lot when I write my book.

    Reply
  12. ME Strauss says

    June 11, 2006 at 6:13 AM

    Shanaganan,
    It did seem like we had the same writing techniques going on and that you might like that piece a bit. Welcome my writing blog. 🙂

    Reply
  13. Shananagan says

    June 11, 2006 at 11:56 PM

    Well, I’m a fantasy/ science fiction writer… what genre do you write in? Or do you just write for buisiness?

    Reply
  14. ME Strauss says

    June 12, 2006 at 6:28 AM

    The link I sent you to the Joe Walsh piece is my writing blog. I write personal narratives, essays, so wild realistic fantasy fiction. I write to entertain myself and to inspire.

    http://lettingmebe.blogspot.com

    Reply
  15. Shananagan says

    June 13, 2006 at 12:58 AM

    Wow! There’s a lot of really beautiful stuff in that! It really is inspirational. 😀 I really love your work.

    Reply
  16. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 5:47 AM

    Hi Shanagan,
    Thank you. I wish I had more time to spend writing there. I say that’s where I keep my heart. I hope to see you there sometime. We’ll stop at the cafe on the way to “Walking on Water” and meet Doris and have a hot fudge sundae. 🙂

    Reply
  17. Shananagan says

    June 13, 2006 at 1:11 PM

    LOL that sounds fun! You know, I like to say that my inner writer writes for me when I need it to, but it seems for you that your inner writer is with you all the time! 🙂

    Reply
  18. ME Strauss says

    June 13, 2006 at 1:15 PM

    Yeah, I write pretty much all of the time. My brain has taken on thinking in the cadence of the written phrasing that I use. It’s annoying sometimes. I find myself reading with the same pattern that I write. I type to it too. I’m doing it right now darn it anyway, 🙂

    Reply
  19. Shananagan says

    June 14, 2006 at 12:28 AM

    I really don’t have a cadence for my writing. It seems to stop and think a lot. I like things to be very detailed but I don’t write that way all the time so it’s difficult sometimes. Lately, it’s been getting easier though. I guess that old saying, “You’re not a real writer until you’ve written over a million words.”, is true! Now that I think of it, my book probably accounts for only 5% of them. It’s funny to think about, really. How many words you’ve written/ typed in your life. I’m probably barely over a million around now. LOL

    Reply
  20. ME Strauss says

    June 14, 2006 at 6:12 AM

    Hi Shanagan!
    It’s kind of fun to meet here — sort of like having a writer’s tree house.

    A million words huh? hmmmm I think you’re not a real writer until you confess to being one and realize how much work it is. 🙂 Then you know that you really wish you could do something easier, but you know you can’t.

    Reply
  21. Shananagan says

    June 17, 2006 at 12:22 AM

    I enjoy meeting here too it’s becoming part of my nightly writing regime! 🙂 I don’t really think I could ever stop writing. There are so many emotions and thoughts that I put into my writing that I think I might go crazy if I didn’t have an outlet for them. My writing seems to be a portal into my soul in that way. Writing is hard a lot of the time, but really rewarding when you see the look on somebody’s face as they read your stories. 🙂 I’m addicted to it. It’s like a drug. LOL

    Reply
  22. ME Strauss says

    June 17, 2006 at 6:33 AM

    Most people think that because they learned to put words together in school that they should be able to write a book. It’s hard to disabuse them of that idea. They don’t understand that it’s like wearing shoes — most folks have been doing that for most of their lives too, but they don’t necessarily believe they can make shoes.

    Writing a book is hard work that takes passion and practice. I admire you for having a regime and sticking to it. That’s how I started blogging — just so that I would keep to a regime. Now look where that’s gotten me! 🙂

    Reply
  23. Shananagan says

    June 17, 2006 at 10:39 PM

    Yes, persistance is difficult sometimes, especially with work and friends bugging you. Sometimes, I just want to tell them not to even think I’m online at anytime of the day until I decide to e-mail them. I love keeping them in the dark about the secrets about my book though! Does that make me evil? I like giving them the basic plot like: there was a boy and a dog and the dog got lost and then the boy found the dog (not part of my book). It really torchers them not to know until they read the book.

    I agree that people sometimes take writing for granted as I once did. They always say that if they can write one interesting sentence the rest will just come to them naturally, but really it’s different than that.

    Oh, I found an awesome quiz about writing the other day… it’s really good! http://www.hollylisle.com/fm/Articles/feature11.html

    Reply
  24. ME Strauss says

    June 17, 2006 at 10:45 PM

    Writing requires me to crawl so inside of myself that folks don’t understand what it is that they are interrupting. I can make room for that. Usually when I need to think deeply I get up to walk around so that I can and feel the thoughts at the same time before I write them down.

    I don’t have the problem of folks who are leaning over my shoulder trying to read what I’m writing about, because all of my closest friends are introverts and ready to wait until I’ve got it down and they can be alone with what I’ve written.

    I’ll check out your quiz. Good luck with your writing today!

    Reply
  25. Shananagan says

    June 21, 2006 at 12:35 AM

    Thanks, I actually finished a chapter (by my standards that’s about 5 pages at least but often many more pages) yesterday and I’m REALLY happy with it. The problem with my friends is that if they read over my shoulder I end up having to explain some of the things I’m writing about that I haven’t gotten to yet, so it gets rather frustrating. I do,however, have a few friends I trust not to ask a million and a half questions about one sentence that has a lot to do with the end of the book. They are the friends that will still talk to me after my ignoring them for 8 hours if I’m writing. 😀 I wouldn’t say my writing is digging deep into myself even though I put my soul onto my paper (or computer in this case). I would say it’s more like climbing a mountain to find every word I write

    Reply
  26. ME Strauss says

    June 21, 2006 at 6:26 AM

    I would say it’s more like climbing a mountain to find every word I write.

    That’s a lovely metaphor.

    Wow how hard it must be to have people asking your to explain something not written yet. For me that would make it not writeable, or at least take some of the life from it. My writing involves so much discover, which seems yours does too (based on your metaphor). I don’t want to discover parts of my thoughts/feelings too early. I want them to be fresh and the words to be the first ones. THEN, I can change them and mold them and fix them. But not before, not before.

    I read what you’re writing and I’m so glad to be part of your process. I have a book. It’s unique and wonderful. It’s 23 chapters fully drafted and in revision to chapter 13. I had to stop to make money to live. I want to get back to it, but I cannot, so I live vicariously through you.

    I believe this time to let it breathe is good for the book. I wrote it in four months. Those who read have great hopes for it. I wonder if my life will let me finish it.

    I wrote something last night that your mountain climbing sentence reminds me of. I leave you a link here. Then it’s off to the writing work that I do for a living.

    http://lettingmebe.blogspot.com/2006/06/ocean-and-shore.html

    Thank you for this writer’s chat. I so enjoy it.

    Reply
  27. Shananagan says

    June 22, 2006 at 12:15 AM

    I totally agree about the idea of staying in the moment of your book. We do seem to think a lot like each other in that way. I enjoy that. You wrote a book in four months? I honestly wish I had the time between work and everything else going on in my life to do that. It makes me sad that you had to stop writing to work even though you do have to eat. That is a very beautiful short story. 😀 It does remind me of it a bit. No, thank you for the writers chat! It’s honestly the highlight of my late night typing sessions.

    Reply
  28. ME Strauss says

    June 22, 2006 at 8:45 AM

    Hi Shananagan!
    I had DSL problems this morning and it’s so great to get here and find a friend.

    Yeah, the book is sort of a modern-day fantasy, first-person narrative that half takes place in the real world and half inside my head. It’s funky weird and cool. It lets me use my imagination and my bent for philosophy.

    I will get back to it at some time. I’m not too worried that someone else will wander on to the concept. It’s very Liz in its nature.

    I write from the characters and let them tell me what’s going to happen. Is that how you’re doing it?

    Reply
  29. Shananagan says

    June 23, 2006 at 12:46 AM

    DSL is evvvvvillll!!! Not that it’s bad I just don’t like it sometimes. As for your book, I would soooo love to read it. Imagination is key these days with so many popular subjects… mine being one of them.I hope your book turns out very well when you get back to it. As for me, I write in the character’s perspectives as it’s happening. I have a lot of well defined characters and I’m proud of it. It’s about another world entirely with 6 different nations and it involves a lot of controvertial subjects such as, rape, premarital sex, race, illegal immigration, and many other things like that. Overall, it’s hard to explain… would you rather read the summary I wrote?

    Reply
  30. ME Strauss says

    June 23, 2006 at 6:36 AM

    I just wrote this really long comment that I lost because my mouse was misbehaving. That’s okay I guess because I was just making up words to go with the letters DSL for most of it. 🙂

    I’ll send you a chapter of “Larry and the DOG” It’s a quest of a young woman’s search to find balance in side herself. I’d love to read your summary. You can send it via the email that I use when I send you Larry. 🙂

    Reply
  31. Shananagan says

    June 26, 2006 at 12:31 AM

    okay… that sounds fun! I”m sorry I haven’t been online or even home all weekend I was out of town and I don’t have a lap top. Even though I would LOVE to hear about the million and a half acronyms for DSL I think I’ll be fine… LOL 😀

    Reply
  32. ME Strauss says

    June 26, 2006 at 12:39 AM

    Hi Shananagan!
    I thought maybe you were out and about somewhere. I’ve been busy myself trying to get some new design into this old looking blog.

    And of course writing all kinds of things.

    Reply
  33. Shananagan says

    June 30, 2006 at 2:00 AM

    Hey, sorry I got a new computer because my old one was getting out dated and I forgot all about the name of the website and it took me forever to figure out how to find this page… LOL bad excuse but it’s true… don’t worry I’m alive and I’m putting this on my favorites… talk to you later.

    Reply
  34. ME Strauss says

    June 30, 2006 at 6:19 AM

    Hi Shananagan,
    Glad to know you’re well and that you’ve got a new computer. 🙂

    Reply
  35. Shananagan says

    June 30, 2006 at 10:06 AM

    😀 the other one was a 1996 running on Windows 98 or something and it took half an hour to turn on, so I thought it was time for a change

    Reply
  36. ME Strauss says

    June 30, 2006 at 10:09 AM

    Definitely time! You must feel like a whole new person!

    Reply
  37. Shananagan says

    July 1, 2006 at 12:55 AM

    LOL yes, I do. It’s wonderfull having updated technology… I never knew all this time… I was like, “What’s a webcam?” when I got it and now I can make movies. Bad ones, given, but still I think I have this down now.

    Reply
  38. ME Strauss says

    July 1, 2006 at 6:26 AM

    Wow! Now you’re a writer and a movie producer!

    Reply
  39. Shananagan says

    July 1, 2006 at 11:59 PM

    LOL my younger brother spent the night a couple days ago and I woke up to find the numa numa dance (rerecorded by him) on my computer… quite a surprise!!!! I laughed so hard.

    Reply
  40. ME Strauss says

    July 2, 2006 at 6:40 AM

    I can only imagine what a numa numa dance might be. 🙂

    Reply
  41. Shananagan says

    July 4, 2006 at 12:40 AM

    lol It’s actually rather funny. I’ll send you the address to the original one… http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/206373 …all you have to do is click on Watch this movie. It’s either stupid or brilliant depending on the person watching.

    Reply
  42. ME Strauss says

    July 4, 2006 at 6:58 AM

    Oh yeah, I’ve seen that. I just didn’t know that’s what it was called. I think it’s quite fun. I wish we had netcams when i was in college. It would have made a lot more of what we did even more interesting.

    BTW I found out this week that Dave Barry and I have the same birthday. He’s older.

    Reply
  43. Shananagan says

    July 6, 2006 at 12:06 AM

    Wow! That’s interesting. I would have never guessed you and Dave Barry had the same birthday. I mean out of all 365 days in a year that’s pretty cool. Yes, webcams make everything more interesting nowadays, but it seems a lot of things make life interesting; like brothers learning how to use a webcam. 😀

    Reply
  44. ME Strauss says

    July 6, 2006 at 12:10 AM

    Yeah, I was surprised to find out about Dave Barry too. Weird that I wrote about him and then found that out months later.

    Did you get the chapters I sent you? Or did they get lost i the email when you switched over computers?

    Speaking of switching computers, you haven’t talked much about writing lately. I hope that doesn’t mean that you’ve stopped. 🙂

    Reply
  45. Shananagan says

    July 12, 2006 at 12:37 AM

    No I haven’t stopped writing. Ha, it’s still there for me. I just haven’t talked about it lately. No, I didn’t get the chapters you sent me. That’s kind of weird I normally get bulky emails no problem. My writer friends send them all the time. My book is shaping up it’s just going slow right now. I’m trying to create 6 languages for it so it’s taking awhile is all. I don’t mind making languages but maybe I should stick to one language. Oh well, it’s a challenge i’ld like to take. 😀

    Reply
  46. ME Strauss says

    July 12, 2006 at 7:58 AM

    Hi there!
    Glad to hear you’re still writing. I’ve been so busy on my math stuff that my writing blog pieces for a while just became snippets of what it once was. I’ve decided to just stop that. I’m taking more time with my ideas.

    I’m thinking of working on my novel online on my writing blog starting on the one year anniversary. I’ve not made that a firm decision yet. It’s a good book — it kept readers interested. I think it might be the only way that I’ll be able to work on it for years to come . . .

    I sent the chapters to the email that you use to write here, but it was at the exact time that you changed computers.

    Reply
  47. Shananagan says

    July 12, 2006 at 1:40 PM

    The email should have still sent though. That’s weird. I’m sure whatever you decide to do for your book will work out it the end. I’ve been so busy with work lately that I haven’t been able to write more than one page a night. Work is so exhausting. 😀 Oh well, I’ve gotta live somehow.

    Reply
  48. ME Strauss says

    July 12, 2006 at 1:44 PM

    Hi
    That’s really weird,
    I wonder who got it or if poor Larry is out in cyberspace alone somewhere.:)

    I’ll let you know what I decide. It will be by next week.

    Reply
  49. Shananagan says

    July 12, 2006 at 5:12 PM

    Hn, I wonder what happened. That’s okay Larry isn’t all alone I”m sure he’ll find the island of lost stories and live contentedly until the day he dies. I have a rather silly question. Do you think ‘hn’ could be used as a sentence? Because I’m using it in part of my book. It’s for a very seclusive character. LOL Anyway, I look forward to your decision.

    Reply
  50. ME Strauss says

    July 12, 2006 at 5:20 PM

    Yes. I think that you’re the writer and if it makes sense to you, then you should do it. No question about it. I had no hestiation with this answer at all.

    Reply
  51. Shananagan says

    July 14, 2006 at 11:25 PM

    Okay then. Thanks for the help with that decision. I don’t often use onomotopoeia as a full sentence so I’m very hesitant about it. I’ve been working so hard lately and I just want to write my book and not just in my spare time. Maybe I’ll have more time once school starts in August.

    Reply
  52. ME Strauss says

    July 14, 2006 at 11:37 PM

    Once school starts . . . hmmmm, does that mean that you’re a mom then, that’s the only way it sounds like you might have more time when school starts. 🙂

    Reply
  53. Shananagan says

    July 14, 2006 at 11:41 PM

    haha no, student, but a college student I’m a lifeguard during the summer so I work crazy long hours. During the school year I have much more time to write. In fact, I barely ever have time to write during breaks. They give us so much homework it’s almost impossible to find anyspare time that isn’t at three in the morning

    Reply
  54. ME Strauss says

    July 15, 2006 at 12:20 AM

    And here I’d been thinking college student all along and then I thought, “how could school give you MORE time?”

    Go figure. I can always find a way to get things inside out, 🙂

    Reply
  55. Shananagan says

    July 15, 2006 at 12:25 AM

    LOL Not inside out, I haven’t even told you I’m in college. Honestly, with free periods and staying up late and waking up early there is lots more time than during my breaks. I work during the lifeguard off season too, but that doesn’t pay as well.

    Reply
  56. ME Strauss says

    July 15, 2006 at 6:53 AM

    That’s so fun — you work like a lifeguard. I swim like a rock.

    Reply
  57. Shananagan says

    July 16, 2006 at 1:52 AM

    😀 I synchronized swim too, but I can’t go to practice during the summer because work gets in the way. Oh well…

    I want to work on my book but I work a 12 hour day today and another tomorrow. Maybe I’ll write when I wake up instead… yeah that would work! 😀 lol talk to you later.

    Reply
  58. ME Strauss says

    July 16, 2006 at 7:22 AM

    Synchronized swimming too. Maybe you got my swimming gene. 🙂

    I hope you find lots of time for writing before the weekend is out.

    Reply
  59. Shananagan says

    July 17, 2006 at 1:15 AM

    I have actually found a lot of time for writing and I have very few hours tomorrow so I think I’ll stay up late and write. 😀 As for your swimming gene as long as you have fun in the pool that’s all that matters genes have nothing to do with it.

    Reply
  60. ME Strauss says

    July 17, 2006 at 7:03 AM

    Happy Monday1
    You have such a postive attitude. That’s a great attribute in a write, it allows you to be forgiving of your characters’ flaws. I’m most interested in your writing. Are you writing for Adults or teens?

    Reply
  61. Shananagan says

    July 19, 2006 at 2:18 AM

    HAPPY VERRY EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING!
    I think I’m writing more along the lines of older teens and adults. My book has some very controversial topics younger readers wouldn’t understand. Yes positivity makes the world (and the world of your book) work better in my opinion as well! 😀

    Reply
  62. ME Strauss says

    July 19, 2006 at 7:12 AM

    When I worked for a company that distributed young adult books, I read all of the books in their line. I was amazed at the fiction. It better than most adult books that I read — the only difference no gratutious sex and no unnecessary violence. God they were good. Two made me cry while I read them.

    You right about positivity. I wear my feelings when I write. It shows in the words that come out on the page. 🙂

    Reply
  63. Shananagan says

    July 22, 2006 at 12:26 AM

    Yes, I’ve found three series so beautifully written that I’ve read the books to the point of falling apart. Those books are in the young adult genre. They actually made me cry! Honestly, I’m not a crier so that was a spectacle for my friends! 😀 I don’t know how to explain it but it seems when I write I become the characters and the characters seem real inside of me, in a way. Now I’m just rambling! haha Well, talk to you later.

    Reply
  64. ME Strauss says

    July 22, 2006 at 7:36 AM

    Hi Shanagan,
    I don’t think that trying to keep your readers at bay is evil. It’s nice to have a few secrets about your characters, epecially while they’re still forming.

    Thanks for the link, I’ll check it out.

    Reply
  65. Shananagan says

    July 22, 2006 at 11:50 PM

    I think you just read a comment from the first page! 😀 heh but you’re welcome

    Reply
  66. ME Strauss says

    July 23, 2006 at 7:51 AM

    You’re right. That’s exactly what I did! [blush]

    My brain has had a good workout these past few days. I’ve been working on conceptualizing a project with a partner in crime. Writing is even harder when you do it together. Whew!

    Reply
  67. Shananagan says

    July 26, 2006 at 1:25 AM

    Yes, I know exactly what you mean… if they don’t understand what you’re trying to say or what direction you want to come to be it can be quite a pain. And don’t be embarassed I do it all the time

    Reply
  68. ME Strauss says

    July 26, 2006 at 7:31 AM

    Thanks for the “don’t be embarassed.”

    It’s a weird situation when I friend doesn’t understand where you’re going. They automatically thing that you are being defensive, even on that occasion when you are not and you just know that they don’t have/can’t get enough context to place things in the right perspective.

    It’s the same problem as a mother talking about her child . . . when the child is a genius, she can’t say something unbiased, because people won’t believe her, even when she’s telling the truth — she, like the writer, gets not slack, no leeway, no credit for an ability to detach and view things objectively.

    Reply
  69. Shananagan says

    July 30, 2006 at 1:34 AM

    That’s a beautiful way of putting it! 😀 You’re welcome. I’m so exhausted i’m going right to sleep. I feel sorry for the characters in my book though. “Trapped in the moment” as they say… or something like that. Anyway, talk to you soon. 😀

    Reply
  70. ME Strauss says

    July 30, 2006 at 6:18 PM

    Sorry it took so long to answer. The hook up at Blogher was worse than dial up. I understand how you feel about your characters being “trapped.” I think they’ll forgive you until you get back. 🙂

    Reply
  71. Shananagan says

    July 31, 2006 at 7:26 PM

    Heh, I suppose they will. Don’t worry about it taking so long it takes me longer most of the time. 😀

    Reply
  72. ME Strauss says

    July 31, 2006 at 7:31 PM

    I’m just piled high with work now that I’m back and the only work I want to do is the stuff that doesn’t pay anything. Go figure. 🙂

    Reply
  73. Shananagan says

    August 22, 2006 at 11:07 PM

    😀 LOL school has started and I’m already overwhelmed with homework and projects in the second week. I thought this year would be easy! Oh well, I just need more time in the day… Talk to you soon!

    Reply
  74. ME Strauss says

    August 22, 2006 at 11:09 PM

    I understand completely. The easy stuff is always the stuff that is already done. 🙂

    Reply
  75. Shananagan says

    September 3, 2006 at 4:01 PM

    😀 this is the first time in weeks I haven’t been online for school. School has gotten easier and I’m finally getting time to write. My story is shaping up but I’m in a bit of a rut because I have to rewrite an entire chapter because I contradicted myself! So, I’m both relieved that I found the error and angry at myself… here’s to rewriting!

    Reply
  76. ME Strauss says

    September 3, 2006 at 4:33 PM

    You’re writing again! Congratulations! I’m delighted to see you back around and to hear that you story is shaping up. I’m working away at my other work.

    Don’t worry on that error. Your heart is already telling me how relieved you are to have found it.

    Readers never know how long it took, but a mistake lasts forever.

    Reply
  77. Shananagan says

    September 3, 2006 at 11:10 PM

    you’re right I am relieved I found the mistake,but it doesn’t mean I’m happy about having to rewrite a whole chapter 😀 How has writing been going for you?

    Reply
  78. ME Strauss says

    September 3, 2006 at 11:13 PM

    HI,
    I’m in the middle of restructuring a reading program I helped to build 5-10 years ago. It’s kind of fun seeing what still works and what looks dated. Also strategizing what teachers need to bring their literacy stuff into the 21st century,

    I’m also getting involved in creativity and innovation work. It’s fun.

    Both are more fun than what I was doing 2 months ago. . . 🙂

    Reply
  79. Shananagan says

    September 27, 2006 at 10:30 PM

    Hi! Sorry I haven’t been on more. I would like to have more time to write and write to you of course but I thought this year would be as easy as last year and that changed! Well, I do have to go. Sorry for such a short message bye.

    Reply
  80. ME Strauss says

    September 27, 2006 at 10:33 PM

    No worries. No apologies needed. 🙂 Let me know if I can help.

    Reply
  81. Shananagan says

    September 28, 2006 at 10:23 PM

    lol unless you can tell me the reason chemicals diffuse into cells and then explain it in lab format then I think I’m on my own. 😀 Thank you though.

    Reply
  82. ME Strauss says

    September 28, 2006 at 10:30 PM

    I probably could have once, but not too quickly these days — and not in a comment box. 🙂

    Reply
  83. Shananagan says

    October 10, 2006 at 11:17 PM

    haha! :d me neither. I just finished 6 hours of homework. I’m totally wiped out! I think I’ll go to bed and write later. Talk to you soon! 😀

    Reply
  84. ME Strauss says

    October 10, 2006 at 11:20 PM

    I remember days of 6 hours of homework . . . now I do 12 hours of work and do it at home. Doesn’t seem that much different. Even the pay. 🙂

    Reply
  85. Shananagan says

    November 14, 2006 at 8:38 PM

    sorry I haven’t been writing you much, I’m finally getting a lighter work load at la esquella (school- I think… in Spanish… no that’s not my foreign language) I’m in a rather good mood today and I’m going to try to write more tonight. I didn’t feel like writing last night but I did do some very productive things for the book. 😀

    Reply
  86. ME Strauss says

    November 14, 2006 at 8:46 PM

    Congratulations on getting a chance to write some. You sound like you’re going to get cooking with gas. Thanks for letting me know that you’re back at it. It’s fun keeping track. 🙂

    Reply
  87. Shananagan says

    December 11, 2006 at 7:50 PM

    I’ve written more! yay! and I also had another idea for a book in class the other day! I’ve been writing this one by hand and I’m having a lot of fun with it… My writing has matured greatly over the past few weeks. I can’t wait to keep going on this one :D. A friend I told about this new idea wants to do this book together. Should we? She’s a great writer but sometimes I don’t trust her style and I’m not sure if she takes correction well. Well, thanks for listening. Oh, how’s your writing doing? Anything new happening?

    Reply
  88. ME Strauss says

    December 11, 2006 at 7:55 PM

    Writing with another person requires a lot of trust and is tougher than a partnership in business. Both writers have to be able to set aside their egos in favor of the work. It requires being a grown up.

    I’m doing great! Things at my writing blog are really fine.

    Reply
  89. Shananagan says

    December 11, 2006 at 7:59 PM

    That’s awesome! Okay, I think I can make a better decision now. Thank you!

    Reply
  90. ME Strauss says

    December 11, 2006 at 8:00 PM

    Hey,
    I’m glad I could help!

    Reply
  91. Alette says

    September 20, 2009 at 2:07 PM

    Thanks for a great website with lots of helpful tips. 🙂

    “Amateurs think that if they were inspired all the time, they’d be professionals.
    Professionals know that if they relied on inspiration, they’d be amateurs”
    – Philip Pullman.

    Sums it all up for me, basically. It helps me going when I’m stuck 🙂

    Reply
    • ME Liz Strauss says

      September 21, 2009 at 7:10 AM

      Hi Alette,
      Thank you and welcome!
      Lots of folks think that because we wrote all day in school that it should come easy now. Writing is labor intensive work. If it wasn’t we’d all be doing it. heh heh

      Reply
  92. suzanne says

    July 2, 2010 at 4:48 PM

    I don’t believe this, the best writing post ever, I think I’ll read it over and over again, thank you so much for sharing, this is a changing moment on my writing life.
    English is not my first language and I don’t write in English, but what you said works really well with me.
    I can’t thank you enough, and I’ve been I reader of yours for a year now

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recently Updated Posts

6 Keys to Managing Your Remote Workforce

9 Reasons To Use WordPress

Useful Marketing Tools That Wont Bust Your Budget

Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Successful Blogger?

Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Successful Blogger?

6 Tips for the Serial Side Hustler

How to Make Your Blog Popular



From Liz Strauss & GeniusShared Press

  • What IS an SOB?!
  • SOB A-Z Directory
  • Letting Liz Be

© 2023 ME Strauss & GeniusShared