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simran_silva's review
5.0
"Wit" is definitely the key word in this how-to-do book. Glatzer takes a subject that drives writers to drink (at times) and turns it into a simple annoyance ("an insidious pest") that can be handled with concentration, tried and true methods, mixed with a bit of humor, so you can get to the real task of what you're here for ... WRITING!
The author starts at the very beginning, a very good place to start (actually that's chapter 2). Chapter 1 is equivalent to the pre-beginning (if there is such a thing) - knowing your enemy. This is the first step ... The battle lines are drawn ... It's writer vs. writer's block.
Start by admitting you have a problem, as that is he first step on your road to recovery. But how do you know it's actually writer's block that you're dealing with here?
The author spells this out for you. "If you've ever found yourself staring at a blank page all day or cleaning out the refrigerator for the fifth time in a week (is that cottage cheese or spinach dip?), just to avoid staring at the blasted blinking cursor, then you have experienced writer's block."
Now that you've identified your enemy, what do you do to conquer it? First things first, you need the correct tools. Here is a list that culminates from the titles of the chapters of the book (not necessarily in order):
A percolator (chapter 5)
An ugly notebook (chapter 7)
A writing oasis (chapter 15)
$6 (chapter 20)
A CD of film songs, including one from Ice Castles (1978) (chapter 23)
Glatzer also discusses 9 writing "rules" you don't have to live by to succeed (chapter 3), and teaches you how to conquer deadlines, dead ends and wrong ways (chapters 11 and 12), stress, self doubt and other stupid garbage (chapters 8 and 10).
Learn how to play the "opposite game" (chapter 13), change your brain (chapter 9) and mind your own business (chapter 14), while letting your conscience ... Er ... The market be your guide (chapter 21). Have a blast kicking your critic off his/her pedestal (chapter 6) and don't forget to branch out (chapter 16), take a little trip (chapter 19) and visit other writers in a writing group or partner up (chapter 18). Plan, scheme, dream and indulge in your writing fantasies, change the world (chapters 4) Deal with the issue of money (chapter 17) and remember ... Plagiarism is good?! (chapter 22).
Filled with prompts (exercises), encouraging tidbits from other writers and instructors in the craft, Outwitting Writer's Block ... is like "Drano for clogged creative pipes." Glatzer has a distinct and creative way to write about writing, but it's entertaining and will definitely motivate you to work at outwitting writer's block and get down to doing what you love to do the most - writing - and ultimately getting paid for it.
The author starts at the very beginning, a very good place to start (actually that's chapter 2). Chapter 1 is equivalent to the pre-beginning (if there is such a thing) - knowing your enemy. This is the first step ... The battle lines are drawn ... It's writer vs. writer's block.
Start by admitting you have a problem, as that is he first step on your road to recovery. But how do you know it's actually writer's block that you're dealing with here?
The author spells this out for you. "If you've ever found yourself staring at a blank page all day or cleaning out the refrigerator for the fifth time in a week (is that cottage cheese or spinach dip?), just to avoid staring at the blasted blinking cursor, then you have experienced writer's block."
Now that you've identified your enemy, what do you do to conquer it? First things first, you need the correct tools. Here is a list that culminates from the titles of the chapters of the book (not necessarily in order):
A percolator (chapter 5)
An ugly notebook (chapter 7)
A writing oasis (chapter 15)
$6 (chapter 20)
A CD of film songs, including one from Ice Castles (1978) (chapter 23)
Glatzer also discusses 9 writing "rules" you don't have to live by to succeed (chapter 3), and teaches you how to conquer deadlines, dead ends and wrong ways (chapters 11 and 12), stress, self doubt and other stupid garbage (chapters 8 and 10).
Learn how to play the "opposite game" (chapter 13), change your brain (chapter 9) and mind your own business (chapter 14), while letting your conscience ... Er ... The market be your guide (chapter 21). Have a blast kicking your critic off his/her pedestal (chapter 6) and don't forget to branch out (chapter 16), take a little trip (chapter 19) and visit other writers in a writing group or partner up (chapter 18). Plan, scheme, dream and indulge in your writing fantasies, change the world (chapters 4) Deal with the issue of money (chapter 17) and remember ... Plagiarism is good?! (chapter 22).
Filled with prompts (exercises), encouraging tidbits from other writers and instructors in the craft, Outwitting Writer's Block ... is like "Drano for clogged creative pipes." Glatzer has a distinct and creative way to write about writing, but it's entertaining and will definitely motivate you to work at outwitting writer's block and get down to doing what you love to do the most - writing - and ultimately getting paid for it.
jenniferworrell's review
4.0
Sometimes her sense of humor is a little goofy, but the advice is vital. A good read overall.
kellyholmes's review
3.0
Summary: Advice from a screenwriter and playwright on what to do when you find yourself staring at the dreaded blank page.
Review: This book is a good collection of practical ideas for when your writing life seems to be stuck in park. A lot of the tips you’ve probably heard before, but it’s nice to have them handy in one place.
I appreciated how the author included lots of quotes and advice from other authors on how they cope with a blank page. It’s also chock full of writing prompts, which always help to get your fingers out of the no-fly zone. For example:
The humor was a little on the goofy side, which I didn’t exactly love. Sometimes it felt like the lines were delivered with both a wink and a nudge. Still, a few lines got a chuckle out of me.
I’ll leave you with one of the tips I liked. It’s from the section about how to carve out writing time when you have a family who can’t seem to live without you for more than 5 minutes at a time:
Review: This book is a good collection of practical ideas for when your writing life seems to be stuck in park. A lot of the tips you’ve probably heard before, but it’s nice to have them handy in one place.
I appreciated how the author included lots of quotes and advice from other authors on how they cope with a blank page. It’s also chock full of writing prompts, which always help to get your fingers out of the no-fly zone. For example:
"Write about a secret you accidentally didn’t keep."
The humor was a little on the goofy side, which I didn’t exactly love. Sometimes it felt like the lines were delivered with both a wink and a nudge. Still, a few lines got a chuckle out of me.
I’ll leave you with one of the tips I liked. It’s from the section about how to carve out writing time when you have a family who can’t seem to live without you for more than 5 minutes at a time:
"If you have an office in your home, find something to hang from the doorknob, such as a red scrunchie or a do-not-disturb doorknob hanger, to signify that you are inside and working."
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