The Writer's Block: 786 Ideas to Jump-Start Your Imagination

By Jason Rekulak

Book Overview

Anxious to write that Great American Novel but don't know where to begin? Help is on the way with our Writer's Block This guide to beating writer's block comes packaged in the shape of an actual block: 3" x 3" x 3", with 672 pages and more than 200 photographs throughout. Next time you're stuck, just flip open The Writer's Block to any page to find an idea or exercise that will jump-start your imagination. Many of these assignments come straight from the creative writing classes of celebrated novelists like Ethan Canin, Richard Price, Toni Morrison, and Kurt Vonnegut: Joyce Carol Oates explains how she uses running to destroy writer's block. Elmore Leonard describes how he often finds ideas just by reading the newspaper. E. Annie Proulx discusses finding inspiration at garage sales. Isabel Allende tells why she always begins a new novel on January 8th. John Irving explains why he prefers to write the last sentence first. Fresh, fun, and irreverent, The Writer's Block also features advice from contemporary editors and literary agents, lessons from the awful novels of Joan Collins and Robert James Waller, a filmography of movies concerning writer's block (e.g., The Shining, Barton Fink), and countless other surprises. With this chunky little book at your side, you may never experience writer's block again

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0762409487
• ISBN13: 9780762409488
• Release Date: April 2001
• Publisher: Running Press Adult
• Length: 672 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.9" x 3.0" x 3.0"

Customer Reviews

Every writer and writer-wanna-be NEEDS this book

As an aspiring writer, I am constantly seeking ideas to inspire me. When writer's block hits (which is often) I open THE WRITER'S BLOCK and flip to practically any page and find numerous ideas on which to write. I have even gone through the book and flagged the ones that I like the most with post-it tags. The only unfortunate thing is -- I don't have enough time to write on all of these awesome suggestions! BUY THIS BOOK. YOU WON'T REGRET IT!

Essential for every writer's desktop

I received this book as a gift from another writer. At first, I thought it was a cutesy idea -- nice gift with a nice thought behind it, but I probably wouldn't do more than use it as a paperweight.Suprisingly, I've found this book to be fine source of inspiration. Great for those days when you are stuck in a chapter (or story, or article, or concept for an ad campaign) and you really need something to kickstart your creative brain. Also, oddly enough, it acts as a sort of oracle. I always seem to find exactly the word or phrase or question I need to fix my literary problem when I turn to this little gem. Sure, it's corny. Yes, it has gotten as splayed as a revival minister's bible. But it works! Give it to the writers you know -- or to your own inner muse.

The perfect Gift for the writer in your circle...

My husband bought this book for me and I love it. It's cute, it's useful and it's fun. Just flipping through it, I came up with so many useful ideas. This little block book makes ya think. It caused me to ponder events long ago, and rework them into my current book. It really is helpful. I like the one word nudges....words that spark your thinking, bring up different kinds of images. For example, the word LOST. Lost Dog? Lost Soul? Lost child? Sooo many possibilities.A great gift for a writer, or for anyone who likes to keep a journal. Fabulous, creative idea. If you write, you will LOVE this little book.

A great value

One of my creative writing students brought this book into class, claiming that it had inspired her to start churning out stories. After I browsed through some of the exercises, I could see why the book worked for her! My favorite exercises were paired with some really provocative photographs (but nothing that's inappropriate for a teenager or a mature child). There's also lots of great advice from some of my favorite authors, esp. Anne Tyler and Nick Hornby. And the section on Joan Collins novels is just hilarious! I've seen writing books that cost twice as much, and they're not nearly as good. All books should be as GOOD and as AFFORDABLE as this one!

ideas galore

WOW. This book is amazing. I am taking my first writing course and was suffering for ideas for what to write about. A friend recommended this book to me and I haven't been able to stop writing since. The Writer's Block is a small book - 3 x 3 x 3 [handy to fit in your bag!] that has a story idea on every page. Some are writing exercises, some are an image and a 'spark' word, and others are an author's view on writing and how to write. A must-have for anyone who writes!