Curation Corner: 9 Ways to Chip Away at Writer’s Block

This 2019 Writer’s Digest guest column by Hope Bolinger shares

9 Weird Ways to Beat Writer’s Block

New to me:

— Change your font. (Comic Sans gets some props here.)

Two I’m willing to try tomorrow:

— Change your font

— Take a shower. My wife will appreciate that. In fact, the whole neighborhood will.

By the way, these block-busting ideas are just as valuable as simple kicks in the keister.

Curation Corner: Quotes to inspire writers

Some of my favorites…

“I wish I’d written more and worried less.” —Meg LaTorre from “Breaking In”

“Don’t live or write in a bubble. My creativity is fueled when I talk with other creative people.” —Melissa Croce from “Breaking In” [I have to work on this one. TH]

“A good twist should never leave the readers feeling tricked.” —Simon Gervais from “Twisty Business”

Challenge: Find at least one quote that can serve as bulletin board material.

Curation Corner: focusmate.com

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay 

I just finished a short Getting Our Creative Minds Back for 2022 session hosted by Jill Badonsky.

One resource she shared: focusmate.com–Where life gets done, together™

Here’s a helpful four-minute video overview from the University of Waterloo.

Highlights:

— 3 free sessions per week. No credit card required.

— clear community guidelines

— use of behavioral triggers to achieve a flow state:

Pre-commitment

Implementation intentions

Social pressure

Accountability

Specificity in task definition

If you feel mired in procrastination and self-doubt, why not give it a try?

My first appointment is this coming Friday. Will let you know how it turns out.

Gift for a retired friend

Today is her birthday. I’m showcasing her work over the years. Looking forward to sitting down and have her give us background and art tips as we both click through the images.

Click the image above for a one-minute tour of what’s been posted so far.

Here is the page: https://retiredguys.net/superb-artwork-on-display-here/

Side benefit: Inspiration to keep plowing forward on my various projects.

Curation Corner: Jane Friedman always delivers value


I was reading Jane Friedman’s weekly Electric Speed and thought to myself, “Self, why haven’t you shared this on your blog?”

And Self said, “Because you’re sometimes a clueless shlub, that’s why.”

Well, the conversation went on and on with back-and-forth accusations of too much time spent baking scones and watching Leave It to Beaver to escape the realities of 2021 and my wife calling a therapist–any therapist available on a Sunday morning–and, well, you get the point. There’s so much useless drivel out there, you surely don’t need any more of it seeping into your already frenzied state…which, by the way, is exactly what I’m doing right now, so you should probably add a pernicious [when’s the last time I used that word?] comment below…

Based on the above ‘departure’, Jane Friedman–publisher of Writer’s Digest, by the way–would probably beg me to never, ever again mention her name on this blog. But hey! ‘The price of fame’, right? And really, if she didn’t share good content, she wouldn’t have been included here, right?**

Good content like:

— Doodle Ipsum (Customize your own doodles and post/share/admire/submit to The Louvre/make NFT’s out of them [I guess.]

— Forvo (“All the words in the world. Pronounced.”)

— Fellow writers’ at-the-desk stretches [reader contributions]

Hope these help. Go sign up for Jane F’s newsletter. No affiliate $$ motive here, no nothing. Just hope you find some value.

**So it’s her fault!

Goodwill words: Veering from letters and notes…

There’s nothing like a friend’s birthday and Canva to inspire a quick and fun detour from putting pen to paper…

In this case, I thought I’d collage it up with photos of my friend’s ‘other beloved grandson’.

As I’ve said before, if goodwill words isn’t fun–whether it’s the writing or the embellishments–I’m probably not as inclined to stay involved.

Thanks for visiting.

A link to the gallery of notes and letters.

Goodwill words: A nod to strength and determination

Joanna [not her real name] is in her mid-20’s and has endured years of uncertainty–her doctors’ and thus, her own– about her health issues.

Combine that with ‘Pandemic Times’ and her perceived inability to live up to her own expectations at work and, well, these are not exactly prime conditions for Joanna.

A reminder: these letters are only a way to share a different avenue for writers to explore, not a ‘you should be doing what I’m doing.”

Thanks for visiting.

A link to the gallery of notes and letters.

Goodwill words: Hoping to revive her spirit

This person–let’s call her Cicely–sounded like someone whose special qualities were flagging in the face of multiple challenges.

As you can see, each letter kind of takes on a life of its own, what with varying added features. Hey, if this isn’t fun–whether it’s the writing or the embellishments–I’m probably not as inclined to stay involved.

Thanks for visiting.

A link to the gallery of notes and letters.

Goodwill words: Admiration for a hero

I decided Mary [not her real name] needed a little reminder of her past contributions as a nurse and how she might still ‘stay in the game’ while she recovers from a serious accident.

Once again, I am reminded how my little annoyances in life–compared to the challenges faced by folks like Mary–are just that: annoyances.

Thanks for visiting.

A link to the gallery of notes and letters.