6 Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block

Writer’s block is something that every writer must contend with at some point. It seems to creep in at the worst moments, and the anxiety it causes can only worsen the problem. There is nothing worse than having a deadline to meet or a great idea, only to sit down to write and find the words are not coming. The great news is there are steps you can take to overcome writer’s block.

1. Change your environment. This can be something as simple as cleaning off your desk to rearranging your office. This simple change can be a catalyst to write.

2. Read. Believe it or not, the best writers are also avid readers. But to really stimulate your writing, read something outside of what you would normally read. This not only sparks creativity, it opens your mind to new ways of writing that you might want to experiment with.

3. Take a walk. Taking a walk can be a great catalyst for your writing. Some of the best ideas are born this way. Do your best, however, to walk without headphones or earbuds. Just walk and enjoy your surroundings. Tune in to nature, or people, or the architecture around you.

4. Listen to your favorite music or singer/songwriters. This can be a treasure trove of inspiration that can spark your creativity.

5. Write in a different place. If you are used to only writing in your office, move to your patio and write. Perhaps you had rather go to your local coffee shop and write. Just being in a different location can trigger your writing.

6. Just write and get some words on the page. Don’t worry about how good it is or if it is sellable. Just write. Force yourself, even if you don’t feel like it – even if it feels awkward. Very often the words will start flowing, enabling you to work on a piece you really want to write.

Writer’s block is normal, and happens to the best writers. Just remember that the worst thing you can do is just stop writing during these times. Do what you can to spark your creativity, and have fun doing it!

The Marketing Rollercoaster

Ever hear someone say "Don't listen to them! They just want to take you on a rollercoaster ride!"

Many people who care about you and your well being will say something to this effect when you are provided with a business opportunity online. It is a way to deter you from joining up but what does it mean?

A rollercoaster provides anxiety building climbs, adrenaline pumping falls and exhilarating twists and turns. Half the time one is unsure which direction they are going and after all the ups and downs and twists and turns they find themselves back where they started.

Like a rollercoaster there are times when business is slow and times when things seem to be overwhelming fast. However, the scariest part is that no one wants to end up where they started with their business. Starting up a business costs money too, so if you end up where you started you are actually at a loss.

This is what upsets people. No one wants to put themselves through such a stressful event and come out with less than what they put in! It is true that the aim of a rollercoaster is to provide some exciting entertainment, but a business is viewed as a very serious money making system. If you don't make money then the business experience is considered a total waste. A scam.

But it is exactly this mentality that prevents people from succeeding in life. Money cannot buy happiness. If you're only goal is to make money then every drop, climb and twist in your business will be felt doubly. It will consume you. To a person with this state of mind every missed chance at a sale is a disheartening loss and reason to give up.

It's like wishing a rollercoaster ride was over as you climb into the seat. Your goal is to have fun but if you are too fearful of the ups and downs then when you get to the end you've missed the point of taking the rollercoaster! Many people get off at the end and say "I'll never do that again!"

The same can be said for a home business. If you wish you had all the money before you even started your business then you are missing the point of having money. Why did you want to join a business? Most people say for the money but then why would you want money? Many people who start up their businesses do not need it to survive but rather to gain luxuries in their lives. Sure you could buy that new car or house but why does that make you happy?

It is for the status. It is for the experience; for a sense of freedom and accomplishment. Money does not buy all of these things for you but rather it is the time and energy you have spent taking on the rollercoaster.
If you start up a business with the sole intent to make money then you will end up like the other 95% of internet based businesses that fail. The most successful people take heed of the advice, "Watch out, they want to take you on a rollercoaster ride." and expect that there will be ups and downs but they have fun with them. Even if they do not make money they learn from their experiences and apply the knowledge they learn. In real life there are ups and downs to everything and it is the way one deals with these ups and downs that determines the quality of their lives.

Money is only a symbol of one's real goals. It is an illusion born from materialism that blinds so many people from the rollercoaster ride that is their life; from the rollercoaster that is their business. It makes every twist and every turn more frightening and overwhelming. Do not become blind and miss the ride because sometimes the journey is more important than its end.

Author Bio
After taking the plunge into Direct Marketing, Mark McCormack is sharing what he has learned to watch for. He provides a legitimate Direct Marketing Opportunity + E-course

Tips on Publishing your First Book

If you are writing your first book, there are some important things you need to know.  It is a huge accomplishment to write a book! Many people go through their lives wanting to write a book but never actually do it.  You can look at your accomplishment with a sense of pride and take a deep breath - but your book is far from complete until you have done the following:

• Edit your manuscript.  This is a very important step in the writing process.  How you choose to edit is entirely up to you. What works for one writer does not necessarily work for another writer.  Some people edit as they go along. Others find it better to complete the manuscript and then go back and edit because they do not want to interrupt their writing flow or creativity.  After you edit your book, give it to someone else to edit, preferably another writer or editor. You may even want to give it to a couple of people to look over for you. 

• Proofread your manuscript.  Even more importantly, have a couple of other people proofread it for you.  Someone else is more likely to catch those small grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors simply because they are not as familiar with the manuscript.  Many beginning writers make the mistake of doing all of the proofreading themselves. The end result can be a book filled with mistakes, and when the reader sees those mistakes, your writing will be greatly diminished in the eyes of the reader.

• Title your book.  Spend time deciding on a great title for your book.  This is no easy task because a book title can either spark interest or turn a potential reader away.

• Traditional or self-publish?  Decide if you want to publish your book using the traditional route or if you had rather self-publish.  There are pros and cons to each method, and depending on which route you take, your responsibilities will vary.

Regardless of how you choose to publish your book, the above steps are very important.  There is nothing quite like holding your first published book in your hands, so it needs to be as perfect as possible.