How to Beat Writer's Block reviewed

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 4 people | Log in to rate

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How to Beat Writer's Block reviewed

Although I managed to break a major case of writer's block a few years ago, this year I found myself struggling through a series of minor blocks. The latest session arrived three weeks ago - just in time for me to try out Holly Lisle's workshop in breaking writer's block.

How to Beat Writer's Block is a one hour audio course that talks you through a relatively quick process of recommitting and refocusing, generating new ideas, and finding enjoyment again in your story.

I can recommend How to Beat Writer's Block for writers who need a friendly pep talk and some encouragement to get going again, and anyone who is sick of ploughing through block the hard way. 

Starting the unblocking process 

How to Beat Writer's Block by Holly LisleI've had enough practice in writing discipline over the years to either keep writing through a block, albeit more painfully, or to switch my attention to a different writing project. So Holly's definition of Pages of Misery Block (where the writing feels like drudgery and the writer questions why she's even bothering) grabbed my attention and convinced me to give the course a try.

I can't give this workshop all the credit for the lightbulb moment that started my session because it was really a reminder of something I discovered three months ago - but I did come dangerously close to forgetting this particular discovery and developing an energy sapping habit that I'm now able to nip in the bud.

Initial impression of the course 

I didn't generate very many new ideas in that first session, but my problem was not being stuck for ideas, but lacking the motivation to sit down and write my ideas. Since that session, however, my brain did start ticking over again and I moved forward on two sticking points in my story that I didn't even realise were there.

After working through the course, I did feel very tired, and I'd left the session for quite late in the day, so I only managed ten minutes of writing on my actual story. But that was the first ten minutes I'd spent on my story in two weeks. At that point, I found the course pleasant, but not overwhelmingly ground-breaking. It certainly was easy and quick, though, and I'd managed to pick up a tentative thread of inspiration again.

Keeping the momentum going and breaking the block 

Since then, I've listened to the daily visualisation tool each day (except for one day on the weekend) before starting my writing session. On the second day my word count was the same as the first day. The third day I didn't listen to the recording and I didn't work on my story. The fourth day I suddenly found myself flying again and I managed a word count that I haven't seen in many weeks. The fifth and sixth days I found myself waking up excited about getting to work on my story - that hasn't happened in a very long time. Again, I got good word counts. By the eighth day, I had posted my second highest word count for a session in six months. I'm writing easily and painlessly and I'm definitely through this block.

Interestingly, it's not just my fiction that I'm excited about again, but since identifying and turfing out some projects draining my time and energy, I'm finding myself with more energy and interest in all my other writing-related projects. This week feels a lot less stressful than last week was, purely due to having my priorities clear.

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How to Beat Writer's Block 

How to Beat Writer's Block audio workshop
Included as a bonus with the audio course is Holly's pdf ebook 21 Ways To Get Yourself Writing When Your Life Has Just Exploded. Holly is also offering a special deal to purchase the audio course and pay just half price for all four of her writing and world-building clinic ebooks. That's three ebooks for free. See the details of this special offer towards the bottom of this page.

If you just want the How to Beat Writer's Block course without all the extras, visit this link.

How to Beat Writer's Block is ideal for you if... 

  • You're blocked on ideas, stuck somewhere in your writing, or have simply run out of motivation.
  • You're writing but it's a hard slog and anything but fun.
  • You're looking for inspiration or want to reconnect with your muse.
  • You need someone kind to hold your hand and talk you through the process of unblocking.
  • You enjoy visualisation techniques and playful creativity.
  • You want to have fun with your writing again.
  • You've been through a crisis and are too shell-shocked to write.
  • You're battling your inner editor, who makes you delete almost everything as you write it.
  • You're ready and willing to break the block and get on with writing again.

How to Beat Writer's Block is probably not the best course for you if... 

  • The concept of a muse makes you uncomfortable, or if you believe your writing and inspiration is bestowed on you and controlled by a higher power.
  • You don't respond well to visualisation techniques.
  • You prefer a formulaic approach to an imaginative one.
  • You're on medication, drugs, or excessive alcohol intake that is impairing your ability to create.
  • You haven't identified the reason for your block and you are not ready to let it go yet.
  • You have a hearing impairment and no access to software for translating audio files into text.

If you're not yet sick of my opinion... 

... you can read my analysis of how the course meets Holly's claims.
Does How to Beat Writer's Block meet its claims
My discussion and verdict on How to Beat Writer's Block.

More about Holly Lisle and How to Beat Writer's Block 

Are you developing your writing career? 

Are you making costly mistakes on your way to publication?

You need to learn to Think Sideways. Holly's highly popular Writing Career Development Course will take you through all the mistakes she made, as well as the successes, during her 16-year career as a full-time writer. Holly teaches you how to build a solid, life-time career that won't fizzle at one book or leave you stuck with an office filled with rejection letters.

If you're looking for a writing mentor, you've just found Holly Lisle.