Questions

On Writing Poetry
by Elaine Polin

Poetry
does not flow
from brain
to fingertips.

Words must be
changed
arranged
exchanged.

At the end
most of them
must be
trashed.
DM: You have plenty of your own.
As I have said before, Dondi is the exception to the rule. He breathes poetry.
- Elaine P…is for Poetry

There are many different forms of online writing assignments which web content producers take on these days. Ranging anywhere from one page articles to academic papers of 100 pages or more, there is a wealth of opportunities available to web content writers. One type of web content production which more and more individuals are expressing an interest in is ebooks. For those who are new to the topic of ebooks and are curious how to create ebooks while fending off any potential episodes of writers block, the following will provide some helpful hints on the subject.

Write About a Subject Which Is Not Too Obscure

One of the ways in which writers block can strike an ebook writer is when the individual chooses a topic which is simply too obscure in nature. Perhaps the topic is so new that it hasn’t been published that often or perhaps it is simply something which many are not that interested in. This is not to say that you should choose a topic which is overtly mainstream, simply keep the fact in mind that obscure topics may lead to writers block and frustration throughout the process.

Brainstorm Prior to Writing the Ebook

When wondering how to create ebooks without being susceptible to writers block you should keep the tip in mind that brainstorming prior to starting to write the book is a wise idea. By brainstorming about your topic and taking notes on your findings, you will discover that you have a wealth of information right at your fingertips. Should you ever come to a lull in the writing process, simply take out your notes and continue with the writing.

Read Up on the Subject

The more information you have when you are creating an ebook the less likely you are to experience writers block. Therefore, when wondering how to create ebooks without the nagging episodes of writers block, remember to read up on the subject matter both before and during the writing process. Having new ideas in your head and really knowing the truth behind your topic will help you to avoid writers block. With that said, you should always produce an original ebook yet gather pertinent information to give you a good background on your ebook topic.

When You Think of New Information, Write It Down

Some individuals who write ebooks have to be at their computer desk in order to construct new ideas and subject matter for their virtual book. On the other hand, creativity may strike others at any time. For the latter group of individuals, it is extremely important to stop what you are doing immediately and write down your ideas once they come to you. This will help to provide you with fresh and pertinent ebook material and prevent you from becoming the victim of writers block while sitting at your desk.

No matter whether you are lying in bed at night or shopping in a store when an ebook subject matter idea strikes you, try to find a pen and paper in order to write down your thoughts. This will pay off in the long run should you find that writers block occurs and you are unsure of what to write.


- Cory Threlfall

Overcoming writer’s block has so many prescribed cures that seem like witches’ brew, you may as well be trying to get rid of hiccups. My favorite remedy is “just write anything.” If I were to follow this advice when I’m stuck in a frustrating blank stare moment, my page would be filled with expletives that would be of no use to anyone, including Lenny Bruce.

If you have no idea of what to say on any given subject, you do not have writer’s block, you have a lack of knowledge problem. If you have the facts in front of you and still do not know what to say then you have writer’s block. The basic step of gathering enough material to complete your writing task should never be confused with writer’s block. Writing takes leg work – tedious legwork. Before the Internet this task could seem insurmountable; but now with worlds of knowledge at our fingertips, I don’t want to hear about any problems getting background material on any subject. Learn how to use the search engines well. This should already be part of your writer’s skill set.

Genuine writer’s block comes when you “just don’t know how to say it.” You have the information, a basic outline, yet you are not satisfied with the tone, cadence or anecdote provided. It just doesn’t feel right. You can’t tie your ideas together into one cohesive product that supports the underlying theme you are trying to convey. What do you do?

Take your material and write it out as you have it. Even if doesn’t feel right complete your assignment as if it were due today, and walk away. Leave the problem to rattle around in your brain for a while. Now here comes they key. Do something totally unrelated that requires you to pay some attention to your new task – a household chore, returning emails, running an errand. I generally find a physical chore, like walking to the post office to be superior to a mental chore like answering emails. Exercise is one of the great inspirational tools available to us. If you exercise regularly this would be a great time to do that. Sometime during your chore or exercise the answer will pop into your head. That is the way our brains work. Inspiration comes to us all the time. We need to be distracted from the noise that interfering with our ability to hear the inspiration. Once we have changed our focus away from the problem at hand our brain can finally deliver the answer unimpeded. Whether you believe the answer has come from your brain or from the cosmos the answer is always available to us. Sometimes more than one chore is required for distraction. On a big problem it might take a week of chores. Be absolutely sure you have a pen and pad of paper with you at all times, because the answer may be fleeting, or just a partial answer with the remaining portion to show up at a later time.

Most writers are working on more than one project at a time. Leaving one assignment and starting another can also help in getting the answer to a previous writing problem. Remember; never confuse lack of preparation with writer’s block. Lack of preparation is a matter of laziness and is a whole different problem to overcome.


- Jeffrey Dorrian