Lisa Tener

Book Writing Coach

Writer's Block

When You’re Having Trouble Sitting Down to Write

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hand writing color funkyOkay, writing time… I’ll just make myself a green smoothie and then…oh, maybe I should put in a load of laundry…now, I’ll just sit down and…oh, wow, it looks like it might rain. I’ll just take that bike ride first… huff,puff, puff…Now I’ll just sit down to write and…oh, the phone. Better get it. It could be Oprah wondering how my book is coming along…Okay, that was a huge time waste, but now to get down to wr…Doorbell?Are you kidding me?
Much of the time, the difficulty in sitting down to write comes from the pressure we place on ourselves to write something brilliant. Just yesterday, I had set aside time to write and found myself dwindling it away. I picked raspberries, rode my bike, meditated–all productive activities, but not writing. I whined to my husband that I hadn’t written all morning. “Just sit down for 15 minutes and write a little.”
15 minutes? I could do that. I did. It turned into over an hour. When my husband came in the room to talk with me, I told him I was on a roll and could not talk!
Here are 5 tips to help you write when you’re not feeling like it:
1. Write Crummy: Commit to writing a crummy first draft, to paraphrase Anne Lamott. Take off the pressure. You can make it amazing later when you edit.
2. Make it Brief: Write for 15 minutes as my husband suggested. You can always write more if you are on a roll.
3. Remember Your Vision: I always have writers develop a vision statement for a book or project. Read it every time you sit down to write. It will put you back in touch with your passion around the subject and help you stay motivated when you remember WHY you are writing. You can read it every morning and night, too, for extra credit and extra inspiration.
4. Be Accountable: Call a friend and say you’re gong to write for the next 20 -30 minutes. Ask your friend to hold you accountable. Ideally, this would be something you would discuss with them ahead of time to make sure they are comfortable in this role. Find someone who is both firm and supportive.
5. Recharge: If you’re tired, go for a walk in nature, meditate or take a bubble bath. Do something to refresh and replenish you, so you can come to the writing with energy.
If you are looking for a writing workshop to support you to complete a book or other writing, check out my Get Your Writing Done Program.

What Next After a First Draft? Writing Tips from An Angelic Insider

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angel guide Bridget Engel“It was like completing an Ironman,” Bridget Engel shared in her angelic voice and New Zealand accent.  While completing  a solid first draft of 7 of her 8 chapters of Guidance to Go in my Bring Your Book to Life(R) Program put Bridget on Cloud 9, it also took its toll.

“I felt like my creative juice had been used up and I needed to take a break from the book, not just from writing it physically, but letting it go mentally and emotionally. I had to stop thinking about it.”

Being an Angel Guide and Coach, Bridget has a nifty tool for this type of creative break. “Energetically, when you want to not think about something, you can imagine putting it in a beautiful gold box, encrusted in jewels. I told myself, ‘I will open this later but not for now’ which gave me the ability to rest and take a break. The gold box is brilliant for people who cannot stop thinking about things or who get emotionally attached. It’s a high energy tool that I recommend to my clients.”

During her break, Bridget did little nourishing things for herself–resting, lighting candles, seeing friends. The time off did wonders for Bridget’s creative process. “My creativity tapped me on the shoulder a month later. ‘I’m ready. I’m ready to write.'”

“I sat down at the computer and brilliant ideas just flowed out, taking the concept to a further developmental place. I love these new ideas, and I needed that respite to make it happen.”

Note: You can read Bridget’s brilliant insights for what to do when you hit writer’s block in a previous blog post. And, please, share your ideas for how you get your creative juices going after a writing marathon!

Writer’s Block: How to Get Unstuck & Make the Writing Flow

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angel guide Bridget EngelYesterday, Bridget Engel, a participant in my Bring Your Book to Life® Program, shared a particularly brilliant and helpful insight for writer’s block, or any instance where you are questioning your ability to write a book.

Bridget had been feeling challenged that day and coached herself to an answer from her inner guidance, in her case, her angels, similar to the work I teach people to connect with your “muse.”

Her inner voice simply offered this:

“Act as if no one has ever written about this topic before and you know what to say.”

I thought it was great advice and decided to open tonight’s Bring Your Book to Life® teleseminar  with this idea. And the more I thought about it, the more rich and profound it seemed.

Act as if no one has ever written about this topic: Imagine the kind of passion you feel as you contemplate sharing something completely new and fresh, and how it feels to have the freedom not to worry about what others have said about the topic. So often we begin to critique, edit and censor ourselves even before we type in the words or write them out on paper. Or perhaps we cross out the words as we write them, thinking, “No, that’s trite. It’s been said.”

That kind of thinking stops the flow. It puts you in your left brain and shuts down  the more creative right brain that’s essential for creative flow. If you leave that editing task for later and just allow ideas to flow, you’ll have a much easier time writing.

Let’s look at the second part of her advice:

 

writing coach Lisa Tener
Writing in the Zone by the River in Wakefield, RI

You know what to say: When you imagine–or even tell yourself–you know what to say or write, you can experience confidence. Often, we make a negative projection that immediately affects our experience. Something like, “Who am I to act like an expert?” or “I don’t know how to make this sound fresh,” or “No one’s going to be interested in this.” How’s your muse, or creativity, going to respond to that kind of self-talk?

However, this positive projection, “You know what to say” impacts your experience and sends a supportive message to the writer within!

When you let go of your inner critic and affirm positive messages, you support your creativity, rather than shut it down. But what if you don’t quite believe the positive affirmation? That’s where Bridget’s wording is especially helpful: “Act as if.”  Another way to put it is “Imagine.”  Just imagine what it’s like to know what to say. Pretend. Imagining and pretending immediately engage that creative aspect of your personality that creates a state of flow.

juliaandgriffin
Julia Griffin

You can even try a phrase like this: “What might it feel like to know what to write? What might it feel like to write in the flow?”  This is something I learned from Julia Griffin. Rather than say an affirmation you don’t believe, use your curiosity and ask, “What if…” or “What would it feel like?”

When you imagine, you make space in your writing practice for surprises, too. Your not striving or trying, you’re more playful, spontaneous and open. Try it and share how it works for you. Or feel free to comment with a tip you received from your inner guidance or a fellow writer.

Get Unstuckified: An Interview with Samantha Bennett

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author and expert sam bennet
The Organized Artist, Sam Bennett

I first met Samantha Bennett when she interviewed me for a MaestroPath seminar.

What struck me about Sam is how darn fun and funny she is, and her brilliant insights into getting things done–including completing a book. Time spent with Sam–whether reading an e-mail or listening to a call–is guaranteed to make you laugh, bring you joy, give you super-useful tools and tips, and inspire you to action from your toes to your tippy top!

Lisa: As an expert in getting unstuckified, what do you see as the main reasons people get stuck in writing their books or any other artistic process?

Sam: There are as many ways of getting stuck as there are people, but often the culprit is an old, dusty, diminishing thought pattern like:

  • “It has to be perfect.”
  • “I don’t know how to do this.”
  • “It’s all been done before.”
  • “Who do I think I am?”
  • “Someone will steal my idea.”

These thoughts will turn a brilliant idea into a pair of cement shoes faster than you can say, “Pulitzer Prize.” The key is to recognize these paralyzing thoughts for what they are: a nasty trick to keep you stuck.  Then turn the questions around a bit:

  • “There’s no way to know what perfect is right now.”
  • “I wonder how a person would go about figuring out how to do this?”
  • “It’s all been done before…but not by me! My voice is unique!”
  • “Who do I think I am?  Well, I think I’m someone who wants to experiment…”
  • “Ideas can’t be stolen, they can only be copied. Plus, I have a million great ideas.”

Lisa: It seems to me that sometimes writing a book is prone to bringing up people’s  “stuff” and that part of what makes them successful is getting past any core beliefs or fears that are stopping them. Do you tend to focus on just toughing it out and developing habits to move forward or do you think it’s important to process the challenging beliefs and fears?

Sam: I think a two-pronged strategy is important.  You need to keep working through your old, negative beliefs, anxieties and fears, but you also need to just do the work.

Don’t wait to feel ready.

Don’t wait to feel like a “real” writer.

Don’t wait for the right time.

Just start writing every day.

Lisa: So how do you help people do that?

Sam: I recommend “automating” your writing time so that you never have to wrestle with yourself.  If you make the decision to write every day for 15 minutes before you check your email, then you never have to think about whether or not you’re writing, you just do it.

It’s sort of the same idea as having money automatically moved to a savings account – if you don’t have to think about it, you’ll end up with a fortune on your hands.

Lisa: A great tip. How did you get into helping creative people get organized and complete their projects?

Sam: Honestly, I was just trying to solve the problems I encountered in my own life as an actor, writer and improviser.  It’s tough to know what to do next, what project to work on, how to market yourself…and it’s even hard just to keep going when, you know… there’s no quarterly review on your art.  So I started devising these worksheets and exercises, and then sharing them.

I knew how great I felt when I was able to move past my insecurities and get big projects done, and I wanted other artists to enjoy that same feeling of joy and accomplishment.

After all, there’s no right way to be an artist– you just have to surf your life as best you can.

Lisa: Do you have a personal story about this?

author expert sam bennettSam: One of the things I’ve learned is that sometimes you’re not moving forward on a project because it is, simply, not the right time.

I started writing my book proposal six years ago, and then stuck it in a drawer. I always knew I wanted to keep going on it, but it seemed like there was some invisible wall in between that darn proposal and me.

Eventually it occurred to me that I NEEDED to wait all that time, because I needed the time to grow my platform, I needed to learn more about marketing and, honestly, I needed the time to become a better writer.

When I finally sat down to complete my book proposal last year, it didn’t take me very long at all, and I was lucky enough to get a contract with New World Library – the first and only publishers to whom I submitted.

Lisa: Congratulations, Sam. That’s terrific news–let us know as soon as it’s out! Can you give our readers 3 tips for getting unstuckified?

Sam: Sure.

1)    Give your project a fun, sexy, silly name.  Calling your project “revise manuscript” sounds like boring homework – no wonder you’re resisting it! But if you rename it, “polish the diamond of my book” or “eat the elephant one bite at a time” or “lipstick and moonbeams” or whatever — that might feel a little yummier.

2)   Get a coach, teacher, mentor or buddy.  Quit thinking you can do this by yourself. Investing in professional help is the smartest thing you can do.  I myself have a coach, an accountability partner and I’m in two mastermind groups.  Partnering with smart, loving people helps my art and my business prosper.  (I realize this answer may seem a bit self-serving, but I’m not saying you need to work with me or even with Lisa –you just need to get consistent support from someone you respect.)

3)   Be very careful about sharing your work and ideas and STOP going to the empty cookie jar.  By which I mean, there are some people in your life who, no matter how much they love you, are not understanding or supportive of your work.  So quit talking to them about it.  Just keep your head down and your shields up.  Especially in the early stages – your creative work needs your protection and it does not need the criticism of well-meaning people.

Lisa: I love these tips–and you are a master at “fun, sexy names.” You have an upcoming free teleseminar to help people get unstuckified–can you tell us what we’ll be learning on that call and why it’s not to be missed?

Sam: You’ll get Sam’s Slightly Scandalous Suggestions for Success (hint: it involves the same principles as having a hot sex life : )

We’ll also do some work that guarantees that you will have a breakthrough around finding the time and money you’ll need to get your project off the ground.

Finally, I have the secret to “decluttering for the creative person,” and I’ll share it with you.

If you can, do be there live – I always stay on the line to answer questions for as long as I can, so don’t miss this chance to get your stickiest problems unstuckified!

Register for Samsambantha’s free class: Get Unstuckified: Why You’re Procrastinating On the Important Stuff and What To Do About It

Monday, April 15th at 9:45am Pacific Time

Samantha Bennett: Originally from Chicago, Samantha Bennett is a writer, actor, teacher, creativity/productivity specialist who has counseled hundreds of artists on their way to success.   The author of the surprisingly popular book of poems, “By The Way, You Look Really Great Today,” Samantha is currently writing “The Organized Artist Book: A Success Book For Creative People Who Want To Be More Organized And Organized People Who’d Like To Be More Creative.”

Note of full disclosure from Lisa: I am a proud affiliate of Sam’s and if you use this link and later sign up for her paid program, I will receive an affiliate commission. As you know, I’m picky about affiliate programs, only belong to a few and only share with you those I believe have the ability to help you tremendously as an author.

How to Write a Book: Conquering Your Fears: an Interview with Kate Beeders

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My colleague, Success Coach Kate Beeders is a genius at helping people break through blocks—something that can plague aspiring authors. If you’ve read my posts from last year, you may have seen my interview with her on making money as an author.  Here, I interview Kate about the main fears that stop aspiring authors in their tracks—even those who have already published.

Lisa: Many people are stopped by fear of failure. How might you work with someone like that?

Kate: I’d like to break that down into 3 steps:

  1. First, it’s important for a person to get clarity and understand why you’re writing a book:  To educate people? To grow your business? To get publicity? To share your story? Someone, like a coach, told you to do this?
  2. The second step is to uncover what you’re afraid could happen if you write your book.  Sometimes people are very aware of their fears and sometimes we uncover such fears through our work together.  These fears are typically from past experiences or things people are taught as children.  These fears can often be so overpowering (especially on a subconscious level) that a person would rather stay in their comfort zone than risk trying something new and failing.  Examples of some fears are: What if no one reads my book? What if my book isn’t any good? What if people laugh at my book and me? I’ve failed in the past and don’t want to fail again
  3. The third step would be to clear out these fears so the person is able to move forward and write their book.  The technique that I am an expert in and that I highly recommend is called “tapping.”

Lisa: Many bestselling authors use tapping. I’ve heard Jack Canfield recommend it. Can you explain tapping for those  who are unfamiliar with it?

Kate: Tapping is a powerful technique where people “tap” on parts of their face and upper body with their finger tips while saying certain phrases that I give them.  It sounds goofy, and having come from Corporate America, I definitely thought it looked silly, but I’ve never seen anything or heard of anything that gets the results that this technique does.  Every time someone tries it and sees their changes, there’s another convert into the world of tapping.  It’s been used with hundreds of thousands of people worldwide to help them release all sorts of fears.  This technique is able to work very quickly, powerfully and gently and get lasting results.   Once the fears are released, I help people replace those negative thoughts with positive ones, and my clients are quickly able to get into action and achieve the success they want.

Lisa: Thanks for breaking that down into such a detailed answer. Kate, often, the same people who fear failure also fear success. How do you help people overcome that?

Kate: It would be the same process as the fear of failure except that the fears would be different, such as:

  • What if I lose my privacy?
  • What if others start to want/expect too much from me?
  • Who will I be if I become a successful author?

I encourage readers of this blog to ask themselves, “What are all of the good things that will happen once I write my book?”  Some wonderful results, would be:

  • You can help so many more people than you can now working 1-1
  • Profits from the book can be used for personal use, savings, or a charitable foundation
  • This will elevate you to a whole new level providing you with all sorts of wonderful experiences

Lisa:  I can attest to that. Just one example, a recent Bring Your Book to Life Program graduate just published her book this fall and within weeks was invited to be keynote speaker at a dance therapy conference in Hawaii. But go on. Before benefits we were talking about fears…

Kate: Our subconscious mind is very powerful and it holds all sorts of fears, some real and some perceived.  These fears will cause a person to procrastinate, which is why many people start to author books and can’t get past “Chapter 3.”

Lisa: How about someone who’s specifically experienced an authority figure–parent, teacher or other–who told them they can’t write or “children should be seen not heard” or who somehow taught them not to express themselves. How do you help people break through that kind of block?

workshop
At Kate’s success workshop last Fall.

Kate: Lisa, I’m so glad you mentioned that.  I’ve helped so many clients that heard things like that as a child and now find it very difficult to “shine their light” and put themselves out there.  As a child, to be good, meant to be quiet, well-behaved, basically blend-in to the scenery, so it’s a huge conflict now as an adult, to write a book and then promote it.  By doing that, the author would make themselves very visible, the opposite of being “seen and not heard.” Through tapping and other mindset techniques, I help my clients reprogram their subconscious beliefs, since what they were told as a 4-year old child does not apply to them now as a 30-40-50 year old adult.  If they stay quiet and keep that book inside of them, they won’t be able to get their message out to all of the people that need to hear it.

Lisa: Kate, thanks for sharing these tips. And for our readers, Kate has a workshop coming up: Quick Cash Infusion Workshop:  3 KEYS to ACCELERATE Your CASH, CONFIDENCE and RESULTS on Friday, Feb 22  3-5pm in Newton, MA Click here for more info! 

Trouble Writing? Take a Hot Bath

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creative photo of fountain
Photo by David Donohue

If you’re a frequent reader of this blog, you know that I love to take writers to “meet your muse.” I lead people through a visualization that gets them in touch with their creative source and their deeper knowing for answers about writing a book.

In a book concept consultation today as part of my Bring Your Book to Life Program, a client asked how she might get into the zone consistently to write. Rather than tell her how, I suggested we ask her muse and led her into a meditation similar to the meet your muse visualization you can find here.

writing in the zone
Here I am writing in the zone and-yes-by the sea. My muse is happy. Photo by Erica Collins.

Her muse told her to take a hot bath.

We both thought it funny until we thought about it–water–the second chakra, which governs creativity. Water helps flow, as does warmth.

Writing isn’t just about sitting at a computer and typing. There’s a preparation of the body, mind and soul we can do before we write that makes our writing experience inspired, transcendent and productive.

Your muse is wise, too. Next time, before you sit down to write, ask your muse how you can get into the zone for writing and have it flow with ease and instant inspiration.  See where your muse leads you. And share your insights here. What does your muse want you to do before writing?

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