Steve shows you the predictable Resistance points that every writer hits in a work-in-progress and then shows you how to deal with each one of these sticking points. This book shows you how to keep going with your work.
A short book about the writing of a first novel: for Steve, The Legend of Bagger Vance. Having failed with three earlier attempts at novels, here's how Steve finally succeeded.
Steve shares his "lessons learned" from the trenches of the five different writing careers—advertising, screenwriting, fiction, nonfiction, and self-help. This is tradecraft. An MFA in Writing in 197 pages.
Amateurs have amateur habits. Pros have pro habits. When we turn pro, we give up the comfortable life but we find our power. Steve answers the question, "How do we overcome Resistance?"
I’d like to claim to be sniffing out haiku at 0400, Nick… but I think Steve’s site tags posts with Pacific Time. Here in the Midwest, it was a decadent 0700.
Makes me think of a story that Tom McGuane told: about a Montana rancher who’d get up at 0430 and turn on his kitchen lights so his neighbor would think he was up early and working. Turn on the kitchen lights and then go back to bed for a couple hours.
I’m beginning to believe that Chuck. Resilience and the ability to reinvent and keep working is a super talent. Having a dream isn’t for the faint of heart.
I’ve always compared writer’s block to a blocked sink. It isn’t blocked because there’s nothing there, it’s blocked because there is too much. I guarantee you that anyone complaining about writer’s block has a creative drain clogged with countless half-finished ideas, and when Pressfield Plumbing shows up at your door I can also guarantee the only tool in his toolbox will be “work”. Clear the drain so the ideas can flow free! Get to work!
I’ve had this nasty ear infection issue that turned into pressure and hearing loss. Until I see the specialist, I’ve been whining inside–Resistance pushing me down–“you won’t sing again” or “take time off and find another hobby this is a sign”…what a disgusting beast it can be. That inner critic. As Joe says, this is a haiku. I can still get to work like a pro. I don’t need my ear to write lyrics! Music can come later…
Get to work, Kate!
Kate on Steve’s recommendation via his Instagram I just finished reading “How To Be An Artist” by Jerry Saltz and your plight reminded me of a passage:
“As you work, pay attention to everything you’re experiencing. Don’t think ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ Think ‘useful’, ‘pleasurable’, ‘strange’, ‘lucky.’ Glenn Gould practiced with radios and a TV blasting so loud next to his piano that he was free not to listen to what he was playing, to better concentrate on feeling it.”
Easier said than done. I hope you feel better soon.
Reminds me of a great scene in ‘The King’s Speech’, where Colin Firth (playing King) is encouraged to talk through classical music blasting out… when the recording is played back to him, he does so eloquently without any stutter.
🙂 Thanks Tolis! Joe’s Haiku prompt has me writing more today. I also can “feel” bass more intensely right now, so I will use it to my advantage. Must be all the fluid in my ear LOL. No obstacles. Thank you fellow soldier/friend battling Resistance. We got this!!
So, alongside writing I’m working on becoming a stand-up comedian. Double or even triple resistance maybe?
I’m reading a book on joke wriitng, which offers some good advice… A contributor wrote, ‘But when I sit down to write nothing comes and I get frustrated,’ she said. The author says, ‘that in a nutshell is the biggest problem all joke writers face. The first time you sit down to do anything is hard. The ability to accept that and just get on with it is PROBABLY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING SUCCESSFUL OR NOT.’
Action may not always bring happiness but there is no happiness without action
Benjamin Disraeli
Wow, What an excellent post. I actually found this for many informatics. That’s what I’m looking for. Affirmation is the best article. fireboy and watergirl 4
It is well known that students must complete a significant amount of writing. After finishing writing assignments and taking exams, there is scarcely any time left. This is typically difficult for students who don’t participate in such assignments very frequently. But there are things that can be taken to lessen the burden of paperwork. In this post here we’ll discuss a number of college essay writing strategies that can help kids finish their assignments more quickly and easily. While writing an academic paper, there are some important things to bear in mind. Get a head start and study up, first and foremost. Third, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Second, make sure your work is concise and easy to grasp.
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Whatever talent
I possess as a writer
can flee tomorrow.
It’s haiku.
Jesus, it IS haiku!
Thanks for the information contained in this
Joe sweeping in with Haiku detector at 4:00a!
Good for you Joe!
I’d like to claim to be sniffing out haiku at 0400, Nick… but I think Steve’s site tags posts with Pacific Time. Here in the Midwest, it was a decadent 0700.
Makes me think of a story that Tom McGuane told: about a Montana rancher who’d get up at 0430 and turn on his kitchen lights so his neighbor would think he was up early and working. Turn on the kitchen lights and then go back to bed for a couple hours.
thanks for the information contained
Love Haiku
Memento mori, butt in a chair, write faster.
AFFIRMATIVE.
“Nothing can stop me from working.”
Maybe that’s the real talent . . .
I’m beginning to believe that Chuck. Resilience and the ability to reinvent and keep working is a super talent. Having a dream isn’t for the faint of heart.
“I don’t know what everyone is all uncertain about.
I know exactly what to do: get to work!”
-Dad
Whatever talent I might possess as a writer can flee tomorrow
I’ve always compared writer’s block to a blocked sink. It isn’t blocked because there’s nothing there, it’s blocked because there is too much. I guarantee you that anyone complaining about writer’s block has a creative drain clogged with countless half-finished ideas, and when Pressfield Plumbing shows up at your door I can also guarantee the only tool in his toolbox will be “work”. Clear the drain so the ideas can flow free! Get to work!
great comment! Thanks for that
Great metaphor. Something is blocking the flow of our writing and we need to clear it out and get to work.
I’ve had this nasty ear infection issue that turned into pressure and hearing loss. Until I see the specialist, I’ve been whining inside–Resistance pushing me down–“you won’t sing again” or “take time off and find another hobby this is a sign”…what a disgusting beast it can be. That inner critic. As Joe says, this is a haiku. I can still get to work like a pro. I don’t need my ear to write lyrics! Music can come later…
Get to work, Kate!
Kate on Steve’s recommendation via his Instagram I just finished reading “How To Be An Artist” by Jerry Saltz and your plight reminded me of a passage:
“As you work, pay attention to everything you’re experiencing. Don’t think ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ Think ‘useful’, ‘pleasurable’, ‘strange’, ‘lucky.’ Glenn Gould practiced with radios and a TV blasting so loud next to his piano that he was free not to listen to what he was playing, to better concentrate on feeling it.”
Easier said than done. I hope you feel better soon.
So interesting, Sam. And great advice!
Also, this…
https://twitter.com/davidbauer/status/678229818408849409
Dear Sam and Maureen,
THANK YOU!!! You’ve both brightened my day. I will pay it forward…
Reminds me of a great scene in ‘The King’s Speech’, where Colin Firth (playing King) is encouraged to talk through classical music blasting out… when the recording is played back to him, he does so eloquently without any stutter.
I bet that even if you lost your hearing, your music would be more wondrous than ever. No obstacles, only your will.
🙂 Thanks Tolis! Joe’s Haiku prompt has me writing more today. I also can “feel” bass more intensely right now, so I will use it to my advantage. Must be all the fluid in my ear LOL. No obstacles. Thank you fellow soldier/friend battling Resistance. We got this!!
Hope it clears up for you, Kate!
Thank you, Joe! 🙂
The BIC principle: butt in chair in all its brevity, clarity, and poetic charm.
Thank you!
Butt in chair I wait
Struggle in pain I press on
Fingers on keyboard
Do not ask me why,
Why I try, day after day
If not me, then who
If not me, then whom!
Sorry, writers!
Break over. Back to work.
Exactly. Energy in the place of emotions.
A beautiful, hard as rock couple of phrases it is.
I don’t feel like it.
Hey Nelson, shut up and run.
Action begets mood.
bsn
Love all your haikus!
Okay. I’ve been debating whether to join in the haiku fun for two days, and it’s taking more energy to resist than give in.
Here’s one from Jancee Dunn in her book, But Enough About Me, about a boyfriend fail…
Sweater made of wool
Does not go in laundry.
Oh, well. Too late now.
The other is mine, with apologies (for the purists) about the syllable count…
I could’ve been voted
Least likely to get a tattoo
You see where this is going
Forgiven? 🙂
<3 I love these!!
Like Van Gogh's right ear
Wind, air, and pain whip through mine
Shall I wait and see?
A little dark humor to deal with my middle and outer ear issue. LOL
Happy Friday, Maureen!
Same, Kate! I hope you’re better soon.
P.S. I gave more thought to a tattoo than I did to either of my marriages!
Maureen,
I once heard a comedian say, “I can totally see getting married, having kids, getting a job…but a tattoo?!?! Those are permanent!”
I still chuckle when I think of that.
bsn
That is funny, Brian!
Another fan of the simplicity and conciseness (concision?) of haiku:
Mind over matter
Emotion follows motion
This moment is all.
It sounds as if this writer would disagree with “no such thing as writer’s block” — but I found it charming, regardless…
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca-EVcdrmEC/
Another fantastic post. Thank you, Steve!
I like this blogspot and i hope u always make good article from : Ricky
Okay. I’ve been debating whether to join in the haiku fun for two days, and it’s taking more energy to resist than give in.
So, alongside writing I’m working on becoming a stand-up comedian. Double or even triple resistance maybe?
I’m reading a book on joke wriitng, which offers some good advice… A contributor wrote, ‘But when I sit down to write nothing comes and I get frustrated,’ she said. The author says, ‘that in a nutshell is the biggest problem all joke writers face. The first time you sit down to do anything is hard. The ability to accept that and just get on with it is PROBABLY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING SUCCESSFUL OR NOT.’
Action may not always bring happiness but there is no happiness without action
Benjamin Disraeli
Thanks for sharing this amazing article.
RTP SLOT GACOR.
I am thinking about this (a month later) and have to add another contribution to this mix, haiku fun aligning with Sensei’s wisdom:
Rule number one: start.
Ninety percent of dreamers
Never start at all.
Rule two: continue.
Most of those who start give up
At first obstacle.
Rule three is: finish.
Do not revise endlessly.
It is done. Ship it!
Now: will anyone else check this old post to see this? That is the question!
Whatever talent I might possess as a writer can flee tomorrow.
Wow, What an excellent post. I actually found this for many informatics. That’s what I’m looking for. Affirmation is the best article.
fireboy and watergirl 4
It is well known that students must complete a significant amount of writing. After finishing writing assignments and taking exams, there is scarcely any time left. This is typically difficult for students who don’t participate in such assignments very frequently. But there are things that can be taken to lessen the burden of paperwork. In this post here we’ll discuss a number of college essay writing strategies that can help kids finish their assignments more quickly and easily. While writing an academic paper, there are some important things to bear in mind. Get a head start and study up, first and foremost. Third, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Second, make sure your work is concise and easy to grasp.
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