I Have A Guest: Michelle McLean

Today I have the awesome Michelle McLean visiting my little corner of the blogosphere. Michelle's book, Homework helpers: Essays and Term Papers was released on Thursday. 

The hard part is getting to the top of page 1.

— Tom Stoppard

Is there anything worse than staring at a blank screen, knowing you only have a certain amount of time to fill it? Whether you are writing a novel or an essay for school, figuring out where and how to begin can be one of the hardest parts of any project.

One of my main goals with Homework Helpers: Essays and Term Papers is to remove the “deer in the headlights” reaction to writing assignments. You may know all the rules by heart; you might know exactly what you are supposed to include in your paper. Or you may have no clue at all how to begin. Knowing what to do and actually doing it are two entirely different things.

Homework Helpers: Essays and Term Papers actually walks the reader through every step of the essay writing process, from coming up with a topic, to putting the polish on the final draft. Each essay discussed also has full essay examples of the rough draft, edited, and final versions of every type of essay discussed.

With this book, I didn’t want to just give my readers a set of guidelines. I wanted to show them exactly what they needed to do, every step of the way. I break the process down into small, manageable chunks, which turns what could be an overwhelming assignment into something a little easier to handle. Even when it comes to the SAT essay.

And this book isn’t just for students. The processes I use can be applied to any type of writing project. I also include chapters on researching and proofreading and provide fun examples of common mistakes that are useful for anyone who wants to write.

If you’ve ever looked a project in the eye and been too overwhelmed, frustrated, confused, or just plain frightened to continue…this might be just the book for you :)

Michelle McLean is a writer and the Chief Editorial Consultant for PixelMags, LLC. In addition to her non-fiction work, Michelle writes YA historical novels and other children’s books. If she's not editing, reading or chasing her kids, she can usually be found in a quiet corner working on her next book.

K.M.Weiland: Conquering Writer's Block.

We all get writer's block. Yeah, some people say it's a myth, but when you're staring at the blank word document (and mindlessly eating your weight in chocolate) it doesn't feel mythic.

So I have an awesome guest poster today. You may know K.M.Weiland from her amazing blog Wordplay. Katie has an amazing new CD out designed to help with writer's block. Take it away, Katie.

Angst and Creativity

The whole idea of “suffering for our art” seems romantic when it happens in the movies. But the real-life version can sometimes seem as if it includes a whole lot more suffering than art. I’ll venture to say that anyone who’s ever tried to write anything more than a pun has spent some his fair share of time wandering around, hands clenched in his hair, eyes wild and bloodshot, muttering to himself, and generally looking a) agonized, b) insane, or c) undead (take your pick). When asked why we write, we’re usually quick to respond with an answer along the lines of “because I love it.” But sometimes it’s hard to figure out how we can love something that can make us so miserable. Jessamyn West and George Orwell, respectively, agreed:

“Writing is so difficult that I feel that writers, having had their hell on earth, will escape all punishment hereafter.”

“Writing a book is a long, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.”

Most of us just accept the angst as a necessary evil of the writing lifestyle. But is it? Is angst a catalyst for creativity? Or is it a hindrance?

In my experience, it’s a little of both. Writing a poem, a story, or a book is a monumental undertaking. Why should we expect it to be easy? In fact, if it were easy, wouldn’t that sap just a little of the marvelous sense of fulfillment and gratification which is our reward when finally we type “the end”? In many ways, the difficulties of writing only make it that much worthier of our time and effort.

However, as too many of us who have wallowed in the black seas of a writer’s depression can attest, angst, when carried too far, can be a killing blow to our inspiration. As I point out in my recently released CD Conquering Writer’s Block and Summoning Inspiration (http://www.kmweiland.com/books_CWBASI.php), one of the most crucial steps in encouraging inspiration to take root in our lives begins with having a positive attitude.

A little angst is unavoidable, and arguably even important, in our experiences as artists. When we’re stuck on a tough story problem, of course we’re going to feel anxious and frustrated and frightened and perhaps even a little angry. There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging and accepting these feelings when they come knocking for good reason. But it’s important we don’t allow ourselves to wallow in them. Approach writing with joy. Always remind yourself of the great blessings found in being a writer. The bad days will come. But don’t let them get you down. If you can wake each morning and approach your manuscript with a joyous sense of expectation and that irreplaceable childlike wonder, inspiration will be knocking at your mental door all day long. Harlan Ellison nicely summed up this impossible balance of the writing life:

“Writing is the hardest work in the world. I have been a bricklayer and a truck driver, and I tell you—as if you haven’t been told a million times already—that writing is harder. Lonelier. And nobler and more enriching.”

K.M. Weiland writes historical and speculative fiction from her home in the sandhills of western Nebraska. She enjoys mentoring other authors through her writing tips, editing services, workshops, and her recently released instructional CD Conquering Writer’s Block and Summoning Inspiration.

Thank you for being my blog guest today, Katie, and for the amazing advice. :)