Rating: 
Summary: Yes - it *will* outwit writer's block!
Review: Every writer dreads coming down with a bad case of writer's block. It plays havoc with normal writing routines, and can cause stress, sleepless nights and worry. The good news is - there is a cure!Get yourself a copy of Outwitting Writer's Block and Other Problems of the Pen, by Jenna Glatzer. The book deals with the pesky issue of writer's block in a new light, from offering insight into what it is and why it occurs, to examining ways of tackling it and getting back to the all-important act of writing. Jenna uncovers the common myths, such as the idea that you should write every day, isolate yourself and write about what you know, turning them on their head and suggesting new ways of creating your own rules and getting back to writing. Unlike other similar titles, the author writes with humour, adding a much-needed lighter touch to topics that can sometimes seem mundane. Interspersed throughout the text are prompts and exercises to do but, again, not the types that you may have encountered before in other publications. These exercises are all fun and inspirational, presenting new ideas and methods....you may even find yourself wanting to do them whether you're blocked or not! Jenna's style of writing is, as always, fantastic. The book is friendly, down-to-earth, funny and insightful. She communicates her ideas clearly and concisely, yet with a constantly witty edge, making readers feel like she's personally chatting to them. I loved the concept of the "ugly notebook" - Jenna believes that the prettier your notebook is, the more pressured you'll feel to fill it with great, important things, which certainly rings true for me. Overall, it's an excellent book on an important topic. Everyone (whether they admit it or not) gets days when it's hard to put pen to paper, or fingers to keys, and this is a great antidote to a frustrating problem. Not only will you feel like Outwitting Writer's Block was written for you, it's one book you'll want to keep and treasure (not lend around) and refer back to if future crisis points arise.
Rating:
Summary: Web Guru Shares Experience, Research with Writers
Review: Glatzer has an exceptional talent. She has writing experience that smacks you in the face with its authenticity. She says, "Writers block is really more a case of opportunity knocking and you having your radio tuned up too loudly to hear it." (p. 10) and then goes on to explain how you might benefit from the big WB. Glatzers's book sets an example for writers because it is fresh, carefully crafted, and entertaining. There are, to be sure, other books that address writer's block but this one is far more fun and less dogmatic than most. These are the fraternal twins that let this volume fill a much-needed niche in advice books for writers.
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Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson. ...
Rating:
Summary: Busting the Bane of Writer's Block
Review: Glatzer's entertaining writing style not only pokes fun at the dreaded "writer's block," but offers advice on other writing topics such as: how to find ideas, how to handle self-doubt and deadlines. Through her clever use of humor and seasoned with personal and other writing anecdotes, she demystifies and offers excellent advice on how to outwit this bane of writers everywhere. For example, under a section entitled "Where to Get Ideas," Glatzer writes: "Another myth is that great ideas are supposed to just come to writers. Like we're all just walking around, minding our own business when wham! A great idea falls out of the heavens and lands in our brains. I, on the other hand, am idea-challenged. The idea fairy rarely visits my home without my asking. I have to invite her, cajole her, and then sometimes bang her over the head with a stick and drag her unconscious body into my abode without my neighbors calling the police. My muse is my mortgage." Her book, her advice and her writing style will inspire writers everywhere not to give up -- no matter what. Her book is also one that writers will return to again and again if not for advice and support then for a great pick-me-up when the writing gets tough.
Rating:
Summary: Busting the Bane of Writer's Block
Review: Glatzer's entertaining writing style not only pokes fun at the dreaded "writer's block," but offers advice on other writing topics such as: how to find ideas, how to handle self-doubt and deadlines. Through her clever use of humor and seasoned with personal and other writing anecdotes, she demystifies and offers excellent advice on how to outwit this bane of writers everywhere. For example, under a section entitled "Where to Get Ideas," Glatzer writes: "Another myth is that great ideas are supposed to just come to writers. Like we're all just walking around, minding our own business when wham! A great idea falls out of the heavens and lands in our brains. I, on the other hand, am idea-challenged. The idea fairy rarely visits my home without my asking. I have to invite her, cajole her, and then sometimes bang her over the head with a stick and drag her unconscious body into my abode without my neighbors calling the police. My muse is my mortgage." Her book, her advice and her writing style will inspire writers everywhere not to give up -- no matter what. Her book is also one that writers will return to again and again if not for advice and support then for a great pick-me-up when the writing gets tough.
Rating:
Summary: This one's a keeper!!
Review: Having just finished reading Jenna Glatzer's OUTWITTING WRITER'S BLOCK, I'm pleased to report that this book is chock full of innovative, creative, and just-plain-fun tips for all writers, blocked or not. Glatzer's friendly and oftentimes humorous writing style is a definite asset, since it makes the read a very pleasureable, yet very informative one. As I read, I found myself highlighting and dog-earing page after page, so that I would not forget any of the many wonderful pointers and suggestions interspersed throughout the book. I can't wait to put some of those suggestions to use! Thanks, Ms. Glatzer, for such a fresh look at an age-old problem. You've definitely dispersed some of the cobwebs in this writer's brain! Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: Great BOOK and a Great INTERVIEW
Review: If you've ever found yourself staring at a blank page all day, or doing mundane chores over again just to avoid that lost feeling, then you've experienced writer's block. And Jenna Glatzer says, "That's good news - it means you're a writer!" Even highly successful writers can't avoid this problem, it's like failure, it happens and we learn from it. What's more important, is that you learn how to manage it. I believe all writers should now celebrate, because Jenna has written a humorous and practical guide that is chock full of tricks of the trade, versatile tools, and writer's block busting exercises that tackle this problem from all angles. It's worth more than a quick read, I plan to keep my copy close by so I can refer to it when those 'moments' happen, and more importantly, I consider most of her strategies to be a proactive way to increase my creativity and amount that I write. I interviewed Jenna Glatzer on "The Inside Success Show" and was captivated by her charm and wit. She's dedicated and a great example of how to proactively manage problems, not just hide from them. Here's some other things I learned from Jenna:
** How Jenna Glatzer went from art to acting, and then finally found her creative outlet in a professional writing career!
** What determines when an idea isn't going to work (in advance)
** Why you need to rid yourself of myths and rules to write well.
** How to apply relaxation techniques to get back into "the flow" ** What 3 things you can do optimize your performance as a writer
** And much, much more ... Whether you're a professional writer needing to jump-start your creativity, a college student needing to meet your deadlines, or a business person who needs to increase output, I believe you will find this book rewarding. Randy (Dr. Proactive) Gilbert, Host of The Inside Success Show (TheInsideSuccessShow.com) and best-selling author of "Success Bound"
Rating:
Summary: One of the best guides I've seen
Review: If you've ever found yourself staring at a blank page all day, or doing mundane chores over again just to avoid that lost feeling, then you've experienced writer's block. And Jenna Glatzer says, "That's good news - it means you're a writer!" Even highly successful writers can't avoid this problem, it's like failure, it happens and we learn from it. What's more important, is that you learn how to manage it. I believe all writers should now celebrate, because Jenna has written a humorous and practical guide that is chock full of tricks of the trade, versatile tools, and writer's block busting exercises that tackle this problem from all angles. It's worth more than a quick read, I plan to keep my copy close by so I can refer to it when those 'moments' happen, and more importantly, I consider most of her strategies to be a proactive way to increase my creativity and amount that I write. I interviewed Jenna Glatzer on "The Inside Success Show" and was captivated by her charm and wit. She's dedicated and a great example of how to proactively manage problems, not just hide from them. Here's some other things I learned from Jenna:
** How Jenna Glatzer went from art to acting, and then finally found her creative outlet in a professional writing career!
** What determines when an idea isn't going to work (in advance)
** Why you need to rid yourself of myths and rules to write well.
** How to apply relaxation techniques to get back into "the flow" ** What 3 things you can do optimize your performance as a writer
** And much, much more ... Whether you're a professional writer needing to jump-start your creativity, a college student needing to meet your deadlines, or a business person who needs to increase output, I believe you will find this book rewarding. Randy (Dr. Proactive) Gilbert, Host of The Inside Success Show (TheInsideSuccessShow.com) and best-selling author of "Success Bound"
Rating:
Summary: This will knock your block off
Review: Jenna Glatzer's gem of a book is packed with good stuff, from reasons why you may be blocked in the first place, to tricks, techniques and sleight-of-word methods for outwitting the Block Monster. There are dozens of useful writing prompts and exercises, and invaluable pieces of general advice for writers, blocked or otherwise. I am not entirely sure how she gets it all in: any other volume containing this much would be twice the size and need hip-waders to get through. However the book is not only helpful and informative, it's also funny. What writer could resist a section on 'rejection' that makes you laugh out loud? This is less like a book on a depressing subject, and more like a good night down the pub with your best writing mate. But instead of a hangover, you come away with a bag of useful knick-knacks and a good chance of getting around the horrors of the blank page.
Rating:
Summary: Goodbye, Writer's Block!
Review: She's experienced, she's blow-coffee-out-of-your-nose-funny, and she's right! Jenna's book is a complete guide to facing the block right in the face and getting rid of it. Not only does she justify getting writer's block, she's got a whole bunch of reasons for why it may be coming up. And the added wisdom of knowing what to do about it so that it doesn't. And you know what--you don't even have to sit in front of your computer and write to get rid of it.
Glatzer's zingers come at times when you need them, and actually taking the plunge and following her advice does get some fruitful results. The book's got some truly wonderful advice. Apart from the regular take a walk, do some free writing and do-all-the-laundry-you-want suggestions, Glatzer's also got some prize-winners from the hall of blocked fame. For instance, she's got you questioning your block, looking it right in the face and asking it the reasons for its presence (you never know what might be behind the darned thing), letting go of the myths (the ones that tell you what "real" writers do and don't do), ignoring teachers who said you can't write (I like this one), changing your methods of writing and copying from other writers' works (no, it's not what it sounds like!).
She's even got prompts scattered all over the book's pages, so that you don't end up just reading her advice. You actually get right down to doing it!
A definite must-read for any writer who's made excuses, procrastinated religiously or downright lied to editors for fear of the blank page. If you thought you were alone, get this book. You'll find a companion you won't want to let go of.
-- Mridu Khullar, Editor of www.WritersCrossing.com
Rating:
Summary: WISE & WITTY!
Review: The author demystifies writer's block as a natural, manageable part of the writing life. She explores why it happens, allowing her readers to gain control over the process & confidence over the hidden fears the block represents. Glatzer also defines & discusses writer's guilt, "percolating," plot bunnies, deadlines, mascots, "method" writing, ugly notebooks, & personal critics. She throws her arms around her readers' shoulders & escorts them through multiple adventures of self-discovery, keeping them safe & comfortable with humor, while introducing insights & techniques guaranteed to assist in their writing endeavors. This is an informative book that's a delight to read, thanks to Glatzer's engaging style & humor, combined with brain-teasing writing prompts sprinkled throughout. Quick, get a copy! You'll use it over & over again.
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