Writers' Block: Cure #23

image by quartarolo from freeimages.com

After decades writing and coming up with stories I've had my fair share of battles with this horrid infliction. Staring at the blank computer screen still makes me feel less like a writer and more like a crazy cat lady (even though I only have one cat). I've come up with a number of tricks I try to bring myself out of this funk and today I'm going to share one with you.

It's pretty simple this time. No in depth trick your friends into nudging your muse or take a vacation. Just take a little time to play. Whether it's playing a few games of air hockey, blow bubbles or dancing out in the rain with an arm load of water balloons, just cut loose and play. Laugh till your sides hurt if you want.

Personally I have a few different ways to work this cure. My personal favorite is dancing with my little girl. I turn on some fun music and we dance around like we just don't care. When all that crazy dancing is done I find myself exhausted and more than willing to count that as my exercise for the day, but I am also able to look at my story idea with a fresh pair of eyes.

Writers' block is a stigma that all writers go through at least once and finding a way through that wall may require a big sledge hammer. Every writer has their own cures for overcoming writers' block and what works for one may not work for another, but keep trying and you'll get there.

Peace and love.

Fall into Romance Hop

This September The Romance Reviews (TRR) will be doing a promotion, The Fall into Romance Hop. The Hop starts September 13th and runs until the 21st. This is a great way for authors to get a little more exposure for their romance novel and for readers to find a some new great reads. The Fall into Romance Hop also gives romance bloggers a great opportunity to get new readers to their blog. Blog tours have become very popular methods of book promotion, and readers seem to really love the chance to check out new books that they may never hear about otherwise.

To join the blog hop a blogger should visit TRR site, and read over the details for the Fall into Romance Hop. It is required that bloggers have at least 50 followers and has been blogging about romance for 6 months or more. Authors can get in on this promotion too. The purchase of ad space is required for this, but that just means authors get the ad space at TRR and promotion through the hop.

Hope to see you at the Hop next month. Good dreams and happy hopping!

Writers' Block: Cure #03

Over the last few months I've had a lot on my plate. The move is finally over and the failed attempt at CampNaNoWriMo has brought a lot into prospective for me. Writing has been a large part of my life for nearly my entire life and I don't know what I would do without it. Of course with the good comes the bad. Some days (and months) you just can't get that creative spark to flare into an idea and your stuck staring at a blank piece of paper or computer screen.

I'm going to explain Cure #03 for writers' block. It is a simple cure that doesn't always work, but it is a lot of fun if you have the time and interest. Here goes:

First, grab a group of friends. That's right, you're not going to need that notebook either.

Next you will need to introduce an alcoholic drink of your choice. I personally like margaritas, but this can and has been done with whine, beer and other drinks. If you don't drink but you're friends do this could still work. If you nor your friends drink then you might want to try something a little different.

Once you and/or your friends are just a little tipsy and in that good have a laugh feeling start the conversation. Start talking asking what if questions. What if you were stuck on an island? What if the sky was green and the sky was blue?

Before too long these what if questions can turn into a lot of interesting ideas that you can use for inspiring you writing muse. Remember, if you're drinking try not to get too drunk. If you get too sloshed you might not remember the great ideas you came up with.

Also play it safe. Try this at your home or at a friend's home, and friends don't let friends drive drunk. So if your friend needs a place to sleep it off then offer up that couch. After all they may have just given you an idea for the next best seller.

Good dreams and happy writing!