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Jason Rekulak
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The Writer's Block: 786 Ideas to Jump-Start Your Imagination Paperback – April 17, 2001

by Jason Rekulak (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 351 ratings
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Anxious to write that Great American Novel but don't know where to begin? Help is on the way with our Writer's Block! This guide to beating writer's block comes packaged in the shape of an actual block: 3" x 3" x 3", with 672 pages and more than 200 photographs throughout. Next time you're stuck, just flip open The Writer's Block to any page to find an idea or exercise that will jump-start your imagination. Many of these assignments come straight from the creative writing classes of celebrated novelists like Ethan Canin, Richard Price, Toni Morrison, and Kurt Vonnegut: Joyce Carol Oates explains how she uses running to destroy writer's block. Elmore Leonard describes how he often finds ideas just by reading the newspaper. E. Annie Proulx discusses finding inspiration at garage sales. Isabel Allende tells why she always begins a new novel on January 8th. John Irving explains why he prefers to write the last sentence first. Fresh, fun, and irreverent, The Writer's Block also features advice from contemporary editors and literary agents, lessons from the awful novels of Joan Collins and Robert James Waller, a filmography of movies concerning writer's block (e.g., The Shining, Barton Fink), and countless other surprises. With this chunky little book at your side, you may never experience writer's block again!
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  1. Print length
    672 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Running Press Adult
  4. Publication date
    April 17, 2001
  5. Dimensions
    3 x 2.88 x 3 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0762409487
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0762409488
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

OK, so it's a gimmick. A book in the shape of a 3-inch block. It'll take up too much space on your bookshelf. Its 672 pages are unnumbered, making it nearly impossible to find the same one twice. It is full of contradictory advice. And once you've used the book a few times, it'll more closely resemble a splayed slinky than a block.

So what? Author Jason Rekulak believes that inspiration "can be found anywhere--in dreams, highway billboards, newspaper personal ads, the Yellow Pages, restaurant menus, family photo albums, and bizarre morning TV talk shows." He has packed his stubby little book with kindling aplenty to ignite the fire of your writer's imagination. Open randomly to photographs and spark words ("traffic jam," "waiting," "hitchhiker," "prom"), writing challenges, and writing topics. "Chronicle the longest amount of time you've ever gone without sleeping," recommends one page. "Write about the biggest secret that you failed to keep," advises another. Describe "ten minutes that still make you cringe," urges a third. Write about one of the 300,000 Americans who consume at least 10 cups of coffee every day, or one of the 100 people who have registered with the Florida Department of Corrections to witness an execution, or one of the 3,500 members of the International Flat Earth Society. If none of that is enough to bump up your production rate, follow the lead of crime writer Charles Willeford. "Never allow yourself to take a leak in the morning until you've written a page," he says. "That way, you're guaranteed a page a day, and at the end of a year you have a novel." --Jane Steinberg

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Running Press Adult (April 17, 2001)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 672 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0762409487
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0762409488
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 3 x 2.88 x 3 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 351 ratings

About the author

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Jason Rekulak

Jason Rekulak

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Jason Rekulak is the author of HIDDEN PICTURES, THE IMPOSSIBLE FORTRESS, and (coming in October 2024!) THE LAST ONE AT THE WEDDING. His work has been translated into 30+ languages. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife and children.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
351 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book a great gift to give any writer. They also describe it as a cool little book with many ideas and prompts. Readers say it's great for writer's block.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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Book adviceGift booksEntertainment valueProtagonist
14 customers mention "Book advice"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book advice helpful and say it has many ideas and prompts in a tiny block. They also say it helps with writer's block.

"...It’s in a block that fits in your hand and has lots of ways to help with writers block!" Read more

"...You will need your readers to read this book for the various prompts. Great idea; not for older eyes." Read more

"This is a cute and handy little tool. It has so many ideas and prompts in a tiny block. I love it...." Read more

"...Block" is filled with lots of pictures, random words, and ideas to help spark your writing when you feel like you're completely going blank...." Read more

8 customers mention "Gift books"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the gift books a great gift to give any writer.

"This is a great gift for any writers! It’s in a block that fits in your hand and has lots of ways to help with writers block!" Read more

"Such a great gift for a teacher and author" Read more

"A fun gift for a writer, this book is literally a square block of topics and ideas to get the juices flowing...." Read more

"...Great book to have and a great gift to give any writer." Read more

7 customers mention "Entertainment value"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining. They say it's a cool little book with cute ideas.

"...It's a fun little book, and quite the conversation starter with friends when they see it sitting on your shelf lol." Read more

"The book itself is cool, but I was disappointed in how it looked out of the bag. The cover wasn’t glued down properly so it just flaps there...." Read more

"...Great book to have and a great gift to give any writer." Read more

"...A bit expensive for the size, but it's a cool little book. The idea of it is cute." Read more

6 customers mention "Protagonist"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the protagonist cutesy.

"...or "A" writer's block....... it is cool to use and looks neat sitting on the desk." Read more

"This is a cute and handy little tool. It has so many ideas and prompts in a tiny block. I love it...." Read more

"...The idea is nice, cutesy and for me it did not work. Again though, if you just want to write short stories, then you may find it inspiring." Read more

"...A bit expensive for the size, but it's a cool little book. The idea of it is cute." Read more

Hilariously adorable!
4 out of 5 stars
Hilariously adorable!
"The Writer's Block" is filled with lots of pictures, random words, and ideas to help spark your writing when you feel like you're completely going blank. It's a fun little book, and quite the conversation starter with friends when they see it sitting on your shelf lol.
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Top reviews from the United States

Shannon
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect gift
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2024
Verified Purchase
This is a great gift for any writers! It’s in a block that fits in your hand and has lots of ways to help with writers block!
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Frank
5.0 out of 5 stars My daughter loved it
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2024
Verified Purchase
My daughter is a published author and we got this as a stocking stuffer. She loves it
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Emrys Novak
4.0 out of 5 stars Rather helpful, to say the least!
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2010
Verified Purchase
When I received this little hunk of a book in the mail, I wasn't a hundred percent on what I should be expecting.

This book isn't necessarily intended for long stories/novel writing, and I don't think that was the purpose anyway. This book is for when you're stuck on a novel or just out of ideas and need something fresh to reopen your mind to new possibilities!
Already have I found countless exercises that I'd love to try out, such as writing a story about meeting a celebrity: first from your point of view, and then theirs. Or sitting in the lobby of an emergency room and just writing about the things you see.

Just about every writer has encountered the infamous writer's block at some point in their life, and this book serves to help you get into the notion of taking ideas from literally everywhere for when you're stuck. It's just a neat little concept, so try not to take it too seriously. When you're stuck, the only way out is to write.
It's an uncomfortable size, being a three inch thick cube, and yes, the font is rather small. This isn't a regular book though! Don't treat it as one and you won't have to worry about your eyes going bad from viewing the tiny text for ages. Flip it open and mess the spine up; just have fun!
6 people found this helpful
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David Prahl
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent product
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2023
Verified Purchase
Um, I cannot think of anything to write. Oh wait, I think I have writer's block... or "A" writer's block....... it is cool to use and looks neat sitting on the desk.
One person found this helpful
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Mya
5.0 out of 5 stars Great gift
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2022
Verified Purchase
Such a great gift for a teacher and author
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Lynnie
3.0 out of 5 stars Tiny block
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2023
Verified Purchase
This used item was in fine condition. The “book” is in the shape of a block and is very small. You will need your readers to read this book for the various prompts. Great idea; not for older eyes.
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Danika Brennen
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute and helpful
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2021
Verified Purchase
This is a cute and handy little tool. It has so many ideas and prompts in a tiny block. I love it. I've done a couple of the prompts and it really is good for clearing away the cobwebs or getting over stumbling blocks in writing.
One person found this helpful
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Benjamen Willans
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for any writer
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book is full of fun little things to keep or get the creative juices flowing. Hit a wall with the assignment, book, or article you're working on just open this up to random page and have fun. The size of it also makes for a fun little challenge as its initially awkward to open
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Ashley
5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Effective and Fun Inspiration for Writers
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 23, 2024
Verified Purchase
I bought "The Writer's Block: 786 Ideas To Jump-start Your Imagination" for my wife as a light-hearted joke since she was looking to get back into writing. I thought it would be a quirky addition to her writing desk, but it turned out to be much more than that!

**Unexpectedly Helpful:**
What started as a fun gag gift has become a valuable tool for my wife. She has found the prompts and ideas in the book incredibly helpful in sparking her creativity and overcoming writer’s block. The variety of suggestions ensures she always has something new to explore, making her writing sessions more productive and enjoyable.

**Wide Range of Ideas:**
The book offers a diverse range of prompts, from quirky and humorous to deep and thought-provoking. This variety keeps things interesting and helps generate unique story ideas and fresh perspectives.

**Easy to Use:**
The book’s format is user-friendly and perfect for quick reference. My wife can easily flip to a random page and find a new idea or prompt to get her writing started. It’s a great way to break out of a creative rut and get the words flowing.

**Fun and Engaging:**
Even beyond its practical use, the book is fun to browse through. My wife enjoys picking it up and reading through the prompts, often sharing particularly amusing or intriguing ones with me. It’s added a new element of enjoyment to her writing process.

**Overall:**
"The Writer’s Block: 786 Ideas To Jump-start Your Imagination" turned out to be a wonderful and surprisingly effective gift. It’s both fun and functional, making it a perfect tool for any writer looking to reignite their creativity. Highly recommended for anyone facing writer’s block or just looking for some fresh inspiration!
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Carmen
5.0 out of 5 stars Immer noch zu haben!
Reviewed in Germany on July 7, 2021
Verified Purchase
Ich habe das Büchlein vor knapp 25 Jahren in New York gekauft und war total glücklich es immer noch kaufen zu können. Habe es einer Freundin geschenkt, die gerade einen Schriftstellerkurs besucht und sie fand es auch klasse. Die Schreibideen sind witzig verpackt und sehr kreativ und oft überraschend! Auch in der Schule einsetzbar oder falls man mit Freunden zusammen eine Schreibwerkstatt macht. Sehr empfehlenswert.
One person found this helpful
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XSFA
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Gift and Great Resource for Writers
Reviewed in Canada on April 12, 2019
Verified Purchase
My wife loved this gift and it has so many great thought provoking, inspiring little exercises to stimulate creativity that I think it will be used for many years to come.
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Melinda
5.0 out of 5 stars Great gift
Reviewed in Canada on June 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
This was such a fun gift.
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shona cawood
5.0 out of 5 stars Great little book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
Bought this for my partner for Christmas to help him with his writing and I'm very impressed with it. The amount of different ideas to help with writing and writers block are brilliant.
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