Writing Resources to Overcome Writers Block
Welcome fiction writers! You've landed on one of my writing resources pages. This one is dedicated to jumpstarting creativity and overcoming writers block. BTW: on our sister website, you'll also find a humorous, laugh-out-loud class to help you break through writer's block.
The writing resources that you'll find in the book list, below, are part of my personal library, which I've been collecting for many years.
Of course, gobs of other great writing resources have been published to help fiction writers reconnect with their muse, end procrastination, and overcome writers block. My plan is to continue to update this page as I become aware of more great reads on these topics.
If you know of a must-read -- one that will help fiction writers overcome writers block and jumpstart creativity -- please email me with your suggestions. I'll add your recommendations to our ever-growing list of writing resources.
In the meantime, if you're a Romance writer, I have great news! You can learn how to start a Romance novel here, and you can get private coaching for your Romance writing, here.
Thanks for your help!
~ Adrienne deWolfe
Zen in the Art of Writing:
Releasing the Creative Genius within You
By Ray Bradbury
I love the insights that Bradbury shares about his own career, as well as his insistence that success as a writer depends on how well you know your own life. This how-to manual includes practical tips on the art of writing, how to find original ideas, and how to develop your own unique “voice.” Bradbury’s story will rekindle your passion for novel writing and your enthusiasm for being a fiction writer.
The Nine Modern Day Muses (and a Bodyguard)
By Jill Badonsky
Pure fun. The Nine Modern Day Muses and a Bodyguard are characters whose playful advice helps fiction writers harness ten powerful creativity principles, so you can put your imagination to work. Overcome writers block and light a fire under your creativity with the exercises in this humorous read.
The Artist’s Way:
A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
By Julia Cameron
This book is by far one of my favorites: I’ve developed college classes based on Cameron’s teachings.
Cameron’s groundbreaking book introduced an original, and astoundingly effective, 12-week course to help all Artists (from painters, to dancers, to actors, to writers) minimize blocks and wrest their creativity from Inspiration Zappers like jealousy, guilt, and low self-esteem.
If you haven’t discovered The Artist’s Way, it’s high time you did! Cameron’s book is jam-packed with exercises and mind-opening ideas to “heal” the wounded Artist within you so that you never, ever have to listen to the voice of your Inner Critic again.
The Vein of Gold:
A Journey to Your Creative Heart
By Julia Cameron
An inspirational guide and companion to The Artist's Way. Cameron offers essays on the creative process to inspire the artist in everyone. Full of activities that will help you indulge in “inner play” so you can grow your creativity and overcome writers block.
Creative Visualization
By Shakti Gawain
Tap the power of your creative mind to “visualize” the true essence of your desires – and rediscover your power to manifest health, abundance, love, and all things GOOD in your life.
Predating Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret by decades, Creative Visualization lays the foundation for the ideas (including Treasure Mapping) that are explored in The Secret movie and book.
Writing Down the Bones (Freeing the Writer Within)
By Natalie Goldberg
I love Goldberg’s viewpoint on listening: “Writing is ninety percent listening; the deeper you listen, the better you write.” Goldberg sees writing as a practice that helps writers comprehend the value of their lives. Her humor, wit and style are inspirational. Another powerful book of practical advice to help writers live their full potential.
Bird by Bird
By Ann Lamont
This book is guaranteed to provoke thought – and maybe even raise a few hackles.
By insisting that writing is more rewarding than becoming published or receiving awards, Lamott bares an awkward truth about commercial fiction – thereby allowing the rest of us writers to breathe a sigh of relief and air our own secret discomfort with pleasing the Marketing Machines.
Lamont defends the viewpoint that writing what you love is “honorable,” even if your audience is small. She counsels writers to form support groups
The Writer’s Block:
786 Ideas to Jumpstart Your Imagination
By Jason Rekulak
The title of this book says it all! A great quick-reference guide to get the creative juices flowing.
The Courage to Write: How Writers Transcend Fear
By Ralph Keyes
Featuring the insights of many bestselling authors who unanimously agree that writing is HARD and takes enormous COURAGE, this book will help you realize that even though you may write alone, you aren’t “alone” in your experience of the craft.
Keyes assures writers that anxiety is felt by your colleagues at every stage of success. He offers specific suggestions that will help you produce a regular page count through perseverance and self-discipline.
Keyes also offers sound advice for coping with criticism. Insightful reading.
The Writer's Book of Hope:
Getting from Frustration to Publication
By Ralph Keyes
(Note from Adrienne: the description of this book on Amazon.com is so inspirational, I wanted to be sure you read it. Here goes: 
)
“In 1889, the editor of the San Francisco Examiner, having accepted an article from Rudyard Kipling, informed the author that he should not bother to submit any more. ‘This isn't a kindergarten for amateur writers,’ the editor wrote. ‘I'm sorry, Mr. Kipling, but you just don't know how to use the English language.’
“A century later, John Grisham was turned down by sixteen agents before he found representation, and it was only after Hollywood showed an interest in The Firm that publishers began to take him seriously.
“The anxiety of rejection is an inevitable part of any writer's development. In this book, Ralph Keyes turns his attention from the difficulty of putting pen to paper -- the subject of his acclaimed The Courage to Write -- to the frustration of getting the product to the public.
“Inspiration isn't nearly as important to the successful writer, he argues, as tenacity, and he offers concrete ways to manage the struggle to publish. Drawing upon his long experience as a writer and teacher of writing (more than 30 years), Keyes provides new insight into the mindset of publishers, the value of an agent, and the importance of encouragement and hope to the act of authorial creation.”
Wow, huh?! If you hope to become published, grab a copy of this book and keep it close to your computer!
Writing From the Body:
For Writers, Artists & Dreamers Who Long to Free Their Voice
By John Lee
Lee has tapped an important part of the creative process that most writers on the subject entirely overlook. This book will get you out of your head and into your body, helping you rediscover the connection to your creativity through gentle physical movement.
Trust me. You’ll want to embrace the principles that Lee introduces in this book. Not only will you become healthier for reading Writing from the Body, you’ll become a better writer!
Mindmapping:
Your Personal Guide to Exploring Creativity and Problem-Solving
By Joyce Wycoff
By spending 20 minutes learning the Mindmapping technique, you give yourself a gift – one that will benefit every other aspect of your life.
This book is a practical guide. Its simple, easy-to-follow diagramming examples will help you get creative in everything you do – from tackling financial challenges to planning a Superbowl party.
Discover how to liberate free-association writing. Work with the principles of “whole-brain thinking.” Give your Muse free rein. Learn how to Mindmap!