I was listening to one of Michael Neill's podcasts a few weeks ago - The Hercule Poriot Guide To Transformative Coaching - and he said something which I've been pondering ever since. He said that one day he was watching a colleague, George Pransky, coach a man who had writer's block. The writer said, "I just… Continue reading Why I stopped writing for 12 months
I went for a walk with a friend yesterday and he asked me how my writing was going. It took me a nanosecond to update him: I am half way through writing a children’s novel, I have written three picture books (unpublished), I am waiting to hear back about my fourth (my best, I reckon), and I… Continue reading Less talking, more writing!
Yesterday I finished working on my book and did a word count. Holy moly, I’ve written over 10,000 words! Considering that a few years ago I was so creatively constipated, the mere thought of writing anything would make me break out in a cold sweat, this is a GARGANTUAN achievement. I celebrated, as every self-respecting… Continue reading Message to my subconscious: Writing a book is scary shit. Get over it.
Yesterday I had it. Today it has gone. Yesterday there was steam coming from my fingertips. Today I'd rather walk naked down Chichester high street than type a single word. This is the mysterious (and infuriating) case of the disappearing inspiration... Marianne Cantwell says the reason so many of us fail at our creative endeavours is because we… Continue reading The Mysterious Case of the Disappearing Inspiration
So, I have found my calling. (Hurrah!) I am going to be a children’s writer! (Tra-la-la) Now I just need to sit down and finish writing my book. (Uh-oh. Can’t I sit here and daydream about seeing my words in print?) No. (Can’t I do some research and think about my characters and their names… Continue reading The terrifying gap between what’s in your head and what comes out on paper
You know the sort of person who sings karaoke in pubs? The sort of person who stands up on stage and sings (or screeches) to their heart’s content…and seems to be having a whale of a time doing it? I sometimes wonder how the hell they manage to do this without drowning in a tidal… Continue reading Dealing with rejection (the 33 per cent rule)
In 2006 I read an article about ambition in writers written by Michael Allen. I knew it was a good article. (I printed a copy and reread it every year or so.) But ironically, I was so deeply mired in my own ambitions, I didn’t realise quite how good it was until now. Michael is… Continue reading Ambition in writers
Today I got up and virtually ran to the computer. I forgot about showering or having breakfast. The only thing I allowed myself was a gulp of water – it was imperative that I sat down in front of the computer and typed what was in my head. It felt like my life depended on… Continue reading The day I started writing a novel
Katherine Bassford 