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Outwitting Writers' Block: And Other Problems of the Pen
 
 
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Outwitting Writers' Block: And Other Problems of the Pen [Paperback]

Jenna Glatzer (Author)
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)


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Book Description

October 1, 2003 Outwitting
If you've ever found yourself staring at the blank page all day, or cleaning out the refrigerator for the fifth time in a week just to avoid seeing that taunting blinking cursor, then you've experienced writer's block.
The good news? It means you're a writer. It's not important that you have these times; what's important is how you deal with them. OUTWITTING WRITER'S BLOCK will provide tricks of the trade to help any writer break through the dreaded block and become a more creative and better writer than before. Filled to the brim with exercises designed to jump-start creativity, encouraging tips from fellow writers and instructors, and tools for analyzing the causes and cures for the nefarious Blank Page syndrome, this book is like Drain-o for clogged creative pipes.
Glatzer tells writers how to:
* know when an idea isn't going to work, versus when it just needs a new approach;
* apply relaxation techniques to get back the nirvana of writing "in flow;"
* look at writing like any other job, with set hours and required levels of output;
* set up your writing space for optimal performance;
* tell if you've chosen the wrong form, and/or if it's time to pick a new genre or media;
* knock the editor off your shoulder;
* examine other causes--lifestyle changes, depression, stress, etc. that may need to be addressed;
* and more

OUTWITTING WRITER'S BLOCK is a humorous, inspirational, practical guide for writers, college students, businesspeople, and those who would like to write as a means of therapy or "release."




Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

If you've ever found yourself staring at the blank page all day, or cleaning out the refrigerator for the fifth time in a week just to avoid seeing that taunting, blinking cursor, then you've experienced writer's block.
Outwitting Writer's Block will help any writer break through the dreaded block and become a more creative and better writer than before. Filled with exercises designed to jump-start creativity and encouraging tips from fellow writers and instructors, this book is like Drano for clogged creative pipes.

About the Author

JENNA GLATZER is the founder and editor of Absolute Write (www.absolutewrite.com) and was the Editor-in-Chief of Writer Online. She has written for hundreds of national, regional, and online publications, including Writer's Digest, Woman's World, and Salon. She is the author of five books, including Slaying The Anxiety Dragon. Her work has appeared in anthologies, including The Moment of Truth: Women's Funniest Romantic Failures. She is a producer, playwright, and optioned screenwriter.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Lyons Press; 1st edition (October 1, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1592281249
  • ISBN-13: 978-1592281244
  • Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,288,294 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am the author of 19 books, and a contributing editor at Writer's Digest.

My recent books include Unthinkable with Scott Rigsby, Bullyproof Your Child for Life with Joel Haber, Ph.D., Celine Dion: For Keeps, The Street-Smart Writer, Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer, Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders, and Outwitting Writer's Block and Other Problems of the Pen, all available on Amazon.com! Just search for my name (Jenna Glatzer). Buying my books will instantly make you more attractive and make the lines shorter for you at the DMV.

I live in New York with my awesome daughter. I have oddly wedge-shaped feet, and an excessive number of mugs. Maybe one day I'll get bigger cabinets.

See my author site at www.jennaglatzer.com for more about me.

Customer Reviews

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This author makes you feel like she's known you forever. She seems to pick up on amazing universal truths about writers that I didn't realize were universal truths until I read the book. For example, she writes about professional jealousy and how she would work herself into a tizzy when another writer-friend "trumped" her, or when a writer who wasn't very talented got a big break. I had been feeling so guilty for having these feelings about my own writing-friends, but now I realize that even more experienced writers still feel that way and it's normal.

But better than that, she offers such a wide array of "tricks" and tips for beating writer's block that something HAS to work! If the first method doesn't work, try a different method. She doesn't advocate just one thing, which is the problem I had with a different book about writer's block (the writer just offered one systematic solution. It didn't work for me, so the book was useless). With this one, I had to keep putting it down every few pages to scribble down new ideas it gave me.

That was amazing. I had been feeling uninspired and like I was running out of new ideas, but this book made me realize how to open my "writer's eyes" and find ideas in everyday circumstances. It energized me, like jumpstarting a battery, so I felt compelled to actually write down my ideas and start drafting them instead of letting them sit in my brain until I forgot them.

It's such a personal book and manages to weave effortlessly between humor and serious issues, even making me laugh when the author is discussing a very painful experience.

I think the biggest strength of this book is that it teaches writers to let go of all the guilt and burdens they have placed on themselves, or let others place on them. I can't write every day, and I haven't been published much yet, so I was afraid to call myself a "writer," but the author made me feel like that was okay, and in doing so, I got less anxious and self-conscious about the act of writing itself. I have written more in the past two weeks than I have all year, just because I feel better about it and less worried about making everything "perfect."

I knew from the author's website that I was going to like her style, but this just went so far beyond my expectations. I now feel like I have a brilliant teacher sitting on my bookshelf whenever I need her. At this rate, that won't be too often, because I can't imagine ever running out of ideas again! It's brilliant. Buy it.

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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Superb nuts n' bolts book November 16, 2003
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I gave myself two days to read through Jenna Glatzer's "Outwitting Writer's Block" and found myself on the last page within a few hours. This book deals with the nuts and bolts, get-your-hands-greasy-changing-the-flat-`cause-you-didn't-renew-the-AAA-membership approach to overcoming the creative block and also gives insight into the likely deep seated psychological basis from which the block may stem e.g. it just may be your defense mechanism for self-preservation. Don't go to a shrink next time - plunk down the money for this book and Jenna will be beside your couch, gently guiding you through the emotional hurdles that lie between you and your creative potential. It's a kind way to put your harsh inner critic to rest and let the blank page be a "blank canvas" on which you are being invited to play. The fear of writing might just be your friend trying to warn you about something from the past - and it's about time that this fear is addressed and turned into creative fuel. Her suggestion to form a mental literary triumvirate of a critic, an advocate, and a pragmatist is a very useful tool to balance the left brain, the right brain, and the checking account. Power of positive thinking and visualization are some additional aids to keep the critic at bay. The basic message is simple: ultimately, writing is an end in itself and is its own reward; the writer needs to move towards self-validation rather than external validation.
It is a well researched book and I would recommend either highlighting the websites and books recommended or jotting it down in your "dirty notebook" (see, you just did it! You wrote down something!). One idea I found quite intriguing is to give a free outlet to your subconscious while writing without lifting your pen up from the paper (so as to not let the critic have any time to creep in). Of course, if you type, then come up with a creative solution of your own (short of splashing crazy glue on the keyboard).
If nothing else, buy the book for the Prompts - these are the gems strewn across that are fun and practical exercises to help unleash your creativity. I believe that creativity is spiral - something done in one seemingly disparate area feeds into one's writing skills when one least expects it. Jenna exploits this principle to its fullest in this book. Merely reading Jenna's book gave me two new screenplay ideas! And I wasn't even warmed up to do the exercises.
One of the most fundamental suggestions that this book makes is to change one's method of thinking. Although it sounds trite, the suggestion is to think like a writer. How often do we look at the mundane, banal items around us and try to put our thoughts about them into words, into strong nouns and strong verbs? I know I will make a conscious effort now on.
She also addresses what I like to call the "tyranny of should(s)" - a bunch of rules that have outlived their usefulness and float around in writer-speak as the Ten Commandments. However, then, she recommends that you should (oops!) have some rules of your own to bring some discipline to your writing and then, consciously break them if you feel you are getting boxed in e.g. cross genres or discard the self-imposed labels to see if you can have more fun writing - `cause that's what it's all about, ain't it?
Stephen King was asked once where he got his ideas from and he replied, "Cleveland." Jenna makes some specific suggestions on how to reach Cleveland, some of them quite interesting e.g. listening to country lyrics for stories and coming up with character/story ideas based on magazine ads.
Throughout the book, Jenna's love of writing and her passion for the craft shines through even as her lively (and zany) sense of humor guides you through the various ways of conquering writer's block. Even if you are not creatively blocked (and what species do you belong to?), the methods described in the book will jog your creative muscles.
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Glatzer has an exceptional talent. She has writing experience that smacks you in the face with its authenticity. She says, "Writers block is really more a case of opportunity knocking and you having your radio tuned up too loudly to hear it." (p. 10) and then goes on to explain how you might benefit from the big WB.

Glatzers's book sets an example for writers because it is fresh, carefully crafted, and entertaining. There are, to be sure, other books that address writer's block but this one is far more fun and less dogmatic than most. These are the fraternal twins that let this volume fill a much-needed niche in advice books for writers.
----------------------------
Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson. ...

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Blank Page
The heroine waits for you to guide her through the perilous, emotionally charged journey upon which you have started her. Nothing! Absolutely nothing comes to mind. Read more
Published on September 7, 2004 by The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Busting the Bane of Writer's Block
Glatzer's entertaining writing style not only pokes fun at the dreaded "writer's block," but offers advice on other writing topics such as: how to find ideas, how to... Read more
Published on January 16, 2004 by Chris Ochadlick
One of the best guides I've seen
I'm buying a copy for each of my clients for Christmas. It helped me break out of the block, so I know first hand that this is a gem to share! Read more
Published on November 19, 2003
Great BOOK and a Great INTERVIEW
If you've ever found yourself staring at a blank page all day, or doing mundane chores over again just to avoid that lost feeling, then you've experienced writer's block. Read more
Published on November 19, 2003 by Randy Gilbert
This one's a keeper!!
Having just finished reading Jenna Glatzer's OUTWITTING WRITER'S BLOCK, I'm pleased to report that this book is chock full of innovative, creative, and just-plain-fun tips for all... Read more
Published on November 18, 2003 by Paul Davis
WISE & WITTY!
The author demystifies writer's block as a natural, manageable part of the writing life. She explores why it happens, allowing her readers to gain control over the process &... Read more
Published on November 14, 2003 by Sami Swan Thompson
Write what you must...
A light-hearted look at writer's block. There's some solid advice here, although none of it is really *new. Read more
Published on November 9, 2003
Writer's Block Has Never Been Such Fun
Blame the pen! That's why we get stuck in a writing rut. Oh, computers? OK, then, blame the broken keys on the keyboard! Meet the enemy and the enemy is us. Read more
Published on October 18, 2003 by Meryl K. Evans
This will knock your block off
Jenna Glatzers gem of a book is packed with good stuff, from reasons why you may be blocked in the first place, to tricks, techniques and sleight-of-word methods for outwitting... Read more
Published on October 14, 2003 by Gaie Sebold
Yes - it *will* outwit writer's block!
Every writer dreads coming down with a bad case of writer's block. It plays havoc with normal writing routines, and can cause stress, sleepless nights and worry. Read more
Published on October 14, 2003 by Rachel Newcombe
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
Writer's block is an insidious pest-a beady-eyed rodent hiding under the floorboards of even the hardest working writers, waiting to rear its hideous head at the most inopportune times. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
ugly notebook, weekly objectives
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Outwitting Writers Block, Chicken Soup, New York, Madame Dazzling, Wally Lamb
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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