The Writer's Connection, SM
a publication of The Virtual Writing Coach SM


"The Creative Process of Writing is a Liberating and Therapeutic Experience"

www.virtualwritingcoach.com

August, 2009

In This Issue:

1. Preview
2. Publisher's Note
3. Writer's Block
4. Helpful Hints

1. Preview

The Writer's Connection explores the creative process of writing and the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and actions. We are an interactive community of authors and readers who share ideas to enhance our knowledge, skills, and experiences in writing fiction in any genre, but our emphasis remains mystery and suspense thrillers.

Published monthly, the Newsletter offers writing tips for authors, coaching suggestions, editing, and marketing information.

Topics are presented from the perspective of Keith Barton and represent only his ideas on producing your first manuscript, and are provided to the general public. Because we are an interactive community of writers, other viewpoints are welcomed and may be printed in future monthly newsletters with permission from Keith Barton.

2. Publisher's Note

August, 2009

Dear Writer's Connection Subscriber,

This month features how to deal with writer's block.

3. Writer's Block

After five years of newsletters and a deadline to get something out this month I’m at a loss of what to write. It happens—the dreaded writer’s block. As I stare at the blank screen staring back at me, my thoughts are at a dead standstill, kind of like “lost in space.” Instead of the commercial where trains collide, bullets fly, and other special effect action movies, my mind floats on a cloud without one explicit or implicit thought to share with you. If you’re a writer, you know what I’m saying. Then why should I be writing anything at all this month? Good question.

Scene shift—deep into the dark recesses of synapses without firing in total darkness. A void envelops my psyche with nothingness—kind of like a stupor that won’t go away. The last time I felt this way I was staring at 578 questions on an MMPI before military induction. Athletes know this feeling as well—they see their ACL being crushed in slow motion before the play begins.

Yes, Writer’s Block—that dreaded malady that pervades what intellect remains for putting words together that spellbound the reader into total boredom. Dribble passes for tangential discourse. Those of you who remember staring back at your blue notebooks in English 101 at exam time can attest to my mental state. How can I write for the next three hours without falling asleep because I stayed up and partied last night? I’m reminded of the philosophy professor who gave only two As on his final exam after the class (except for two) wrote tirelessly for three hours. The two students receiving As walked out of the exam after spending only 15 seconds on their 20 - page bluebooks—the first student in answer to the professor’s question of why wrote why not? The second student wrote because. It seems to be that life mirrors this professor’s question. Why spend much of our thinking time answering unanswerable questions? Let’s just accept life and go on.

In case you’re still awake as I end this merciless piece of discourse, I want to leave one thought with you. If at first you don’t succeed, then quit and start over. Too bad I didn’t take my own advice this month.

Helpful Hints:

1. What suggestions do you have for writer’s block?

2. Does thought mirror behavior or vice versa? Make an argument for both.

3. Stream of consciousness is a form of writing without creative or grammatical constraints. Many first drafts are written this way with the author using improvisation rather than an outline or script. What books have you read which are written this way?


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Contact Information

Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Voice: 281 - 583 - 5005
Fax: 281.583 - 5008
Web: http://www.virtualwritingcoach.com
E - Mail: keith@virtualwritingcoach.com
(c) Copyright 2003 A. Keith Barton, Ph.D.
All rights reserved.

Distribution Rights

The Writer's Connection SM is copyrighted, but you may retransmit or
distribute it to whomever you wish as long as not a single word is changed, added, or deleted, including the contact information. However, you may not copy it to a web site.

Republication of The Writer's Connection SM in paper media is encouraged and permitted by individuals, organizations and associations, as long as the issue is reprinted in its entirety, without change, and includes the contact information.

With advance permission, we are happy to edit an issue to fit your space requirements. Republication also is encouraged under other circumstances. However, the advance permission of A. Keith Barton, Ph.D. must be obtained in the event that changes in the text are desired.

The Writer's Connection SM Mission:

The Writer's Connection SM is dedicated to helping first - time authors create their first manuscript for publication and to offer an exchange of ideas and opinions from our readers who might be interested in becoming authors.

The Writer's Connection™ is a publication of The Virtual Writing Coach and Keith Barton, Ph.D. and a registered trademark.

We would like The Writer's Connection SM to be as interactive as possible. If you have feedback, comments, topics you would like addressed, or can suggest additional resources to benefit us all, please email us at any time. Send your e - mail to
keith@virtualwritingcoach.com.

Please forward this issue to anyone you think would find The Writer's Connection SM interesting and beneficial. Your recommendation helps us keep growing, and ensures an excellent exchange of information and techniques.

Archives

You can read previous issues of The Writer's Connection SM in our archive section which is located at the top right section of this page.

About Keith Barton, Ph.D.

Dr. Barton received his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University of Texas at Austin and has been a practicing therapist for over thirty years. He is currently enrolled in MentorCoach and is accepting new clients. He has been an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina, consultant to Fortune 500 companies in executive development, founded and managed Texas Community Living Ventures, Inc., in 1986 for providing group home services to persons with mental retardation, and for the past 13 years founded and runs a clinical practice in Northwest Houston. He writes part - time with the goal of completing one novel a year. His desire to coach others derives from his passionate interest in helping others become attuned to their creative powers of storytelling.

Dr. Barton has training in coaching, cognitive and family therapy and health psychology. He has published articles, made presentations and conducted workshops about:

Anxiety and achievement
Stress management
Self - esteem
Communication skills
Marital/relationship enrichment
Wellness issues
The relationship between psychology and spirituality

Copyright by Virtual Writing Coach (SM) and Keith Barton, 2001 - 2008.