Tag Archives: writer’s retreats

How to unstick your stuck words

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Overcoming writers block
According to wikipedia, writer’s block is a condition in which an author loses the ability to produce new work. The condition varies widely in intensity. It can be trivial, a temporary difficulty in dealing with the task at hand. At the other extreme, some “blocked” writers have been unable to work for years on end, and some have even abandoned their careers.

If you write, you’ve been there. You’ve stared at the computer screen, closed your eyes and pleaded for something — anything — to reignite your creativity and get your fingers flying across the keys.

Call is fear. Call if doubt. Call it distraction. Whatever it is, get used to it. It’s all part of being a writer.

So what can you do to get “unstuck”?

  • Write every day. Establish a routine. Park yourself in the chair and show up.
  • Stop thinking so much. Don’t worry about whether it’s good or not. Just write.
  • Think about writing as a “regular” job. You’re on the clock, so work.
  • Give yourself breaks.
  • Take a writing workshop or attend a writer’s retreat.
  • Set deadlines and goals. Reward yourself when you meet them.
  • Write about a “true” experience. Just write it down. It’s a good way to exercise your writing muscles.

Looking for more tips on getting “unstuck”? Check out this great post I found this morning on Write it Sideways.

If you’ve found a way to break through your writer’s block, share it here!

image: Drew Coffman

A message from Norman Mailer.

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“If you tell yourself you are going to be at your desk tomorrow, you are by that declaration asking your unconscious to prepare the material. You are, in effect, contracting to pick up such valuables at a given time. Count on me, you are saying to a few forces below: I will be there to write.” ~ Norman Mailer

Some of My Favorite Writers

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I posted this article on my writing blog (the blog that I’m supposed to be writing in every day to share my daily writing progress…but am not…doing either, that is…long story…), and I then I thought maybe it might be worthwhile talking about this topic: Where do you find your inspiration for writing? Or maybe, it’s “Who inspires you to be a “better” writer?”

looking for inspiration

Maybe it’s a famous writer, like J.K. Rowling or Stephen King ? Or maybe it’s your Aunt Martha or your 6th grade English teacher. We are always going to be inspired by someone, more than one someone, and today, I’m sharing just a couple of my sources of inspiration.

First: the obvious ones. I’ll get those out of the way first:

  • My husband, who is one of the most supportive, go-with-the-flow guys I know. I’m inspired by his ability to live a life of complete balance. And I wouldn’t even be a writer if I didn’t have you in my life. Truly.
  • My kids, who have provided me with plenty of fodder for characters and such. Thanks for being clever, and funny, and just plain weird sometimes. It’s all good.

And, now, because I’m a giver…here are some new friends. You inspire me in different, and totally surprising ways.

I hope you enjoy reading their work as much as I do.

Colleen Friesen
In her words, Canadian-writer, Colleen Friesen is “..a cappuccino and travel junkie. Like the collages I love to hammer, glue and sew together in my Sechelt studio,my writing is often a collection of ephemera, transitory images, random thoughts and events that happen wherever I find myself  in the world.”

Colleen’s blog is a treat for me every day. I blame her, in truth, for distracting me from my own writing. Where I used to wake inspired to “write the damn book,” I now pour myself a cup of coffee and click over to Colleen’s blog to get my daily dose of inspiration. She’s an amazing wordsmith, and you’d be a fool not to take my advice and click over there — do it now I say — and subscribe to her daily posts. She’s that good.

Follow her blog here.

Dina Santorelli
I “met” Dina recently. When I found her blog, “Making Baby Grand-The Novel” this “timeline” jumped out at me: “The Making ‘Baby Grand’ blog is born as a way to chronicle the writing process and share my trials and tribulations as a first-time novelist as I finish the writing of this book. Or maybe as a creative way to procrastinate. Not sure.”

A kindred spirit, to be sure. And as I’ve followed her progress, I’m inspired by her enthusiasm, and her progress. She’s actually done it. I aspire to get to where she is now. Check out her blog to find out more and follow Dina’s next steps as she continues the journey to publishing her novel.

Linda Sands
Not only is Linda an incredible, award-winning writer – her short stories have been published in dozens of literary publications over the years — she’s an accomplished novelist and is always looking for ways to help other writers realize their dreams. You go girl!

She’s the founder and editor of scratch — “the writing contest that itching to discover new talent,” and partner in Write by the Water retreats for women If you haven’t read Linda’s ebook, Simple Intent , be sure to put it on her list, and follow the blog. Her smart and witty style will make you smile (and maybe blush a little). :)

There are so many great writers forging their way in this new world of blogging. And how great is it that we can share our work–ebooks, travel articles, random blog posts — with countless readers every day. Amazing.

Do you follow a writing blog that you’d like to share? Someone you connect with or who just makes you smile through their blog articles? I’d love to add them to my list. Let me know!

photo: Tom J Byrne

Santa Rosa Beach Writers Retreat: Day Four

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The highlight of the day, according to our group of writers, was the Skype call with Josh Getzler, literary agent at Russell and Volkening. Having an opportunity to talk face-to-face (okay, face to computer?) with a New York agent is one of the big perks of the retreat. Anyone who’s ever been to a conference or workshop knows that the age-old question on the tongues of every writer in the room is this: “How do you find an agent?”

Josh was awesome. He shared the process for querying an agent and gave our writers some insight into the business side of writing. Valuable information that I know all the writers will tuck away until they are ready to release their finished work into the world.

Writer's writing at the beach

Writer's writing

[/caption]The afternoon was spent writing. Writers walked on the beach. Writers hung out on the back porch and lounged next to the pool with laptops propped up, fingers flying across the keys.

This last full day of the retreat went by far too quickly. Dinner at The Red Bar – with good food, music, and more Canadians — and the day came to a close. It will be hard to say good-bye to our writers — our new friends. Facebook friend requests have been sent, and photos have been tagged. Business cards have been exchanged and websites have been linked…surely we will find a way to stay connected.

You know what they say…”You always remember your first.”

Santa Rosa Beach Writers Retreat: Day Two

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Today was a productive day at the retreat. Breakfast was followed by a group discussion. Then, our writer-in-residence, Jack Riggs invited each of the writers to spend some one-on-one time with him during the stay to talk about their writing journey, their current projects, and to answer questions they have about writing and the writing life.

Boardwalk on the beach

Boardwalk on the beach

We are just steps away from the sugary sands and sparkling blue water of the Gulf of Mexico. A perfect location for inspiration. The day was perfect. Warm, but not humid. The long stretch of white sand invited writer after writer to walk along the shoreline.

The house is expansive — with plenty of places to hide out and write–both inside and out.

Colleen Friesen at Write by the Water Retreat
Some writers curled up in the living area, while others brought their laptops poolside and stretched out on  lounge chairs to write. They were slowly getting into the rhythm, the purpose of the 5-day stay: to write. Having permission to just sit and write–without the distractions of everyday living is such a gift.

After a great dinner at Basmati’s– a restaurant along scenic highway 30A–the day was done. Perfect weather. Lots of writing time. Great conversations. New friendships were formed. Laughter filled the corners of the huge beach house. I would call day two of the Write by the Water writers retreat a success.

Weird thing of the day (WTOD)
Tough to decide the weirdest thing of the day for Day Two, so maybe you can help me decide.

Tell us what you think we should choose for today’s WTOD:

  1. The college boy who showed up at the door to “borrow” mayonnaise
  2. The writer who got her butt stuck while trying to get out of the car

Cast your vote in our comments below and we’ll pick the winner!