Desiree has lived a life of excitement that brings the color to her writing. She was a summer fishing guide, a summer field hand where she was one of only three women working, a member of a beginning ski team that skied in competition (and no, no broken bones!). She spent several years in the music business representing every kind of artist from country singer to heavy metal rock bands. For several years she also ran her own public relations agency handling any client that interested her.
She is twice a finalist for an EPIC E-Book Award, a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio, and is published by four different houses. Romance Junkies said of her work: "Desiree Holt is the most amazing erotica author of our time and each story is more fulfilling then the last."
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You’ve been hit by the dreaded writer’s block
So. You current WIP is racing along at warp speed, your characters all know their place, no one is speaking out of turn and you’re feeling pretty darn good about yourself. Then bam! Out of nowhere, a granite wall surrounds your brain. No matter how long you sit at the keyboard and stare at that pesky monitor screen, not one word will come to your brain. What to so. What to do.
There are so many suggested cures for writers block out in cyberspace that if you took the time to read them all, you’d for sure never get any writing done and you wouldn’t have to worry about your frozen brain cells. I thought some were very creative, some were hysterical, and some just plain made good sense.
One suggestions was hypnosis. Of course, you’d have to find a qualified hypnotist and be sure you were a good subject. But if you get past that, maybe you could have him or her implant a few extra suggestions for your next stories. And actually, believe it or not, for $12.95 you can download a CD, play it and hypnotize yourself. Only…who wakes you up?
Another suggestion is to step away from the computer. Well, duh. Don’t we all try that? But while you’re away from the dreaded computer, try translating a poem into another language (Google Babelfish). Or better yet, writing one yourself. It takes your brain on a whole new trip and gets it unstuck from the crossroads you can’t cross.
Watch a movie with English subtitles. I watched the movie, “Z”, that way and not only found myself drawn into the movie but as I concentrated many other idea came to me.
Indulge in a favorite treat. For me it’s coffee ice cream, or sometimes coffee and chocolate mixed together. Which of course is why I’ll never be modeling on the cover of Vogue.
Meditate. A good companion to hypnosis. Sometimes it helps to wipe the brain clean, sometimes it finds that little bend in the road where it’s stuck and unkinks it.
Brainstorm with a friend. Unless of course the friend is either under deadline or having her own writer’s block. If that latter, I suggest a two margarita lunch.
Keep a journal and write in it on the fays your brilliant ideas smack you in the head and the days your brain won’t work at all. When you go back later on and read them you’ll be surprised, stunned, hilarious at what you’ve written.
And finally, just put your WIP aside and start something new. Maybe something outrageous you haven’t tried before. Something that takes you to a whole new place. You’d be surprised how it will flow backwards to the place where you got stuck.
Me? I personally find my brain works best in the shower, which is why I often resemble an old prune.. But then, at least you know I’m always clean!
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WIN - Celebrate Desiree’s 100th release, DOWNSTROKE, with a party at over 30 different blogs in the month of April. Each day the blog hostess for that day will pull a name from the commenters for a free download of the winner’s choice from Desiree’s backlist. A different winner every day. And be sure to register here for a refurbished Acer Netbook with external DVD drive!
And check out the http://www.authorisland.com/ Book of the Day today - you could win a copy of Desiree's UNTIL MIDNIGHT!!
Many huge thanks to Author Island for hosting me today and helping me with the launch of Downstroke. I am rushing from the house for a couple of hours but will be back later, will catch up on all the comments-I promise-and then be on until this evening.
ReplyDeleteLOL! If the showering works, that's a great thing! For me, I find that taking a walk helps clear my mind of the extra stuff. Or if I'm also tired, a nap is a rare treat!
ReplyDeletef dot chen at comcast dot net
With 100 titles and counting it sounds to me like you are good a remedying the writers block...which is great for us readers
ReplyDeleteseachele71@hotmail.com
Since I read, try to write, craft, and like to bake, I find that if one isn't working for me I move on to another. The crafting and baking are so different from dealing with words that it works for me as a good break.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine that you've had writer's block a few times with all the books you've written.
carolcobun(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi Desiree,
ReplyDeleteWhat a whirlwind week you much be having!!! Started reading Downstroke last night, and oh man, I am so loving it.
Have a great day.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
Those are some great tips, Desiree. I may even try some of them.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
First of all, Cathy, I am sooo glad you love the book. It's the book of my heart. Fedora, sending you a hug. And Chele, too. Thank you all for stopping by. Sorry I was gone longer than I expected 'cause I appreciate each and every one of you commenting.
ReplyDeleteWow! Congratulations on 100 books--that is so awesome. Great blog topic, too.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read your latest.