Quotes to Combat Writer's Block from Writer's Circle

This might be really useful for those of you who are floudering in the third week of Camp Nanowrimo. Enjoy, and follow Writer's Circle!

-m


http://writerscircle.com/2013/09/quotes-to-combat-writers-block.html

Quotes to Combat Writer's Block 

Every writer's been there. The blank white screen and the pulsing cursor. The empty notebook and the pen poised to write. The tools are there, there's ample time... but the words refuse to flow. If you're locked in writer's block mode, there are a few time-tested methods to help you break free. Stop what you're doing and take a break. Go for a walk. Put down your work for an hour, a day or a week, then come back to it. Start writing whatever comes to mind, free from any judgment. Tell your inner critic to hush. You can edit later. Go someplace that inspires you. Read a book. Basically, shake up the dust in your head like a snowglobe. Eventually the particles will settle back down, but everything will have shifted, rearranged itself. Finally, those trapped words will start spilling out.

If you're battling writer's block, it's also helpful to read some inspiring words from authors who have been there. Here are a few gems:
 
"One of the most difficult things is the first paragraph. I have spent many months on a first paragraph, and once I get it, the rest just comes out very easily." - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
 
"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one." - Mark Twain
 
"I've often said that there's no such thing as writer's block; the problem is idea block. When I find myself frozen--whether I'm working on a brief passage in a novel or brainstorming about an entire book--it's usually because I'm trying to shoehorn an idea into the passage or story where it has no place." - Jeffrey Deaver
"If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word." - Margaret Atwood
 
"What I try to do is write. I may write for two weeks ‘the cat sat on the mat, that is that, not a rat.’ And it might be just the most boring and awful stuff. But I try. When I’m writing, I write. And then it’s as if the muse is convinced that I’m serious and says, 'Okay. Okay. I’ll come.'" - Maya Angelou
 
 "I think writer's block is simply the dread that you are going to write something horrible. But as a writer, I believe that if you sit down at the keys long enough, sooner or later something will come out." - Roy Blount, Jr.
 
"Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don't try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It's the one and only thing you have to offer." - Barbara Kingsolver
 

6/26: Write a Novel in a Month Class

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311 S. Monmouth St.

(google map) (yahoo map)

A summertime tradition! Write Your Novel in a Month class!

* Do you have an idea for a novel?
* Do you want to participate in Camp NaNoWriMo, but want to do it with the support of a (for-credit) class?

Then the Novel in a Month Class is the class for you!

The class will be held at the old Independence Library at the following times:

Thursdays 7:00 to 8:30 pm
June 26 through August 7

Registration Fee: $75 (includes required text)

If you are interested in this class, please go to http://www.ashcreekarts.org/#!classes/csc0

Class size is limited to 20. Early registration is recommended!

* Do you have a great idea for a book, but haven't gotten around to writing it?
* Perhaps you have no idea, but do possess a deep, burning desire to write.
* Maybe you are convinced you don't have time to write a novel.

Really, who has time?

Lots of people! Every November, hundreds of thousands of people participate in National Novel Writing Month by pledging to write 50,000 words of a novel in thirty days.

In fact, our instructor, Maren Bradley Anderson, has "won" NaNo for many years by writing over 50,000 words in thirty days.

Write Your First Novel In Thirty Days is a 7-week class aimed at people who want to write a novel by participating in the deadline-driven, community-supportive atmosphere. The class will focus on:

* preparation for writing a book-length first draft (including idea generation),
* completion of the book-in-a-month challenge,
* and end with a workshop on what to do with a freshly written novel.

The emphasis of this class is not quality, but quantity. Without a completed first draft, the writer cannot revise a better second or third draft. In this class you will get that elusive first draft.

You can write the first draft of a novel in just thirty days!

I hope to see you this summer, fellow writers.

Willamette Writers' Workshop featuring Maren and Kate

Kate Ristau and I are giving a workshop on painless grammar for writers. See you there!

Grammar for Writers Workshop
Presented by  Kate Ristau and Maren Bradley Anderson 

Saturday, May 31, 2014, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
At the Salem Public Library (the Plaza Room)

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

I believe in lollipops and she believes in the apocalypse.

What’s wrong with the previous sentence (besides my misplaced love of lollipops)? Don’t know? Then this workshop is for you.

We’ll work with your writing to help you understand some of your basic error patterns, and then we’ll show you how to fix them.

Don’t worry; this is not your average grammar class! We will make it fun, informative, and well worth your time. We look forward to seeing you there!

Participants will need to bring:

• Pen and notebook
• Mug for coffee or tea
• Homework (see link below)

COST TO ATTEND

Willamette Writers members (fees subject to change):

• Early Bird*: $25
• Regular Enrollment: $30
• At the Door: $35

Non members pay an additional $10 

*Early bird ends May 15

http://willamettewriters.com/salem/workshops/

I'm related to that...

http://writerthereseoneill.com/2014/04/03/playing-underpants-chicken-losing/


Here is a link to my funny friend, Therese's, blog and her description of her trip to the seaside with our children in tow.

I'll let you guess which kid I know best.

m

Learn to Edit Your Novel in a Month 5/1/14

It's time for the Learn to Edit your Novel in a Month class.

This May, let's get your manuscript ready to send out to someone who might make it into a book. 

Learn some basic novel structuring, some painless grammar, and a whole bunch of style no-no's to avoid.

It's time to finish your book and polish that gem!

★7:00-8:30 PM , Thursday nights
★May 1-June 5, 2014
★$75 (includes textbooks)
★Ash Creek Arts Council at the Independence, OR, Old Library

For more information, visit: http://marens.com/MarensWorld/Classes.html

Launch parties 3/2 in Tigard, 3/3 in Monmouth!

Sunday 3/2/14 

5:00-6:30

Max's Brew Pub

12562 SW Main St, Portland, Oregon 97223

Monday 3/3/14

4-5:30

Hammersly Library

WOU

Monmouth 97361

***FREE Parking in Lots "I" and "M" from 3:00-6:30! 

Buy it now

Available on 3/1/14 on:

Commas: An Irreverent Primer--Amazon

All other formats

Powell’s Books 

Comma Book Launch Events! 3/2 Tigard, 3/3 WOU

In celebration of National Grammar Day, Maren Anderson and Kate Ristau will be releasing their book, Commas: An Irreverent Primer.

Come celebrate with us for short workshops and book signings.

Don’t worry! It won’t be boring. There will be unicorns. And cookies.

March 2, 20145-6:30 PM
Max’s Brew Pub
12562 SW Main StDowntown Tigard

March 3, 2014
4-5:30 PM
Hamerlsy Library Room 107
Western Oregon University
Monmouth