Write On MBA/Mary Beth Averill

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>10 Suggestions to Get Your Writing Unblocked


	News November 2009 Our big news is we’ve moved WriteOnMBA to Eugene, Oregon. We’re enjoying a large, sunny new office within walking distance of the University of Oregon campus, an easy bus ride from Lane Community College, and about an hour’s drive from Oregon State University. There’s plenty of room for groups and for our extensive library of books related to writing, publishing, journaling, memoir, coaching, dissertations, and research methods. In February 2009, we presented a workshop on Advising Thesis Students Who Have Learning Issues to Smith College School for Social Work Faculty. In May, we co-led a workshop on Tools for Taking on Middlescence at the Western New England College annual social work conference. We also conducted two Writing for Publication workshops (a 3 hour workshop in May and a 6 hour workshop in July). Located slightly south of Eugene center, our new office is disability accessible, with ample parking and easy access to public transportation. We’re close to cafes and shops for browsing before or after your appointment if you choose an in-office session. Having worked with graduate students and academics from as far away as Hawaii and Europe, Write on MBA communicates mainly by phone, email, and US Postal Service. We are expanding the practice to reach aspiring authors and people who want to move ahead in their nonfiction writing from all over the US—thus this web site to acquaint you with our services. As a service to people who visit our web site, we offer monthly tips on moving ahead in your writing. To get started, check out our 10 Suggestions to Getting Your Writing Unblocked and/or feel free to print the Resources listed below.

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	Resources At Write On MBA, we care about helping you develop skills you can take with you into the future as well as providing help coaching you to the completion of your current project. To this end, we offer the following reading list with notes and web site addresses (where available). For more complete bibliographies about theses and dissertations, overcoming learning challenges, and getting published, please contact Write On MBA with your question(s).

	Print Resources American Psychological Association. (2009). Publication Manual, sixth edition. Washington, DC: APA. Belcher, W. L. (2009). Writing Your Journal Article in 12 Weeks: A guide to academic publishing success. Los Angeles: Sage. Furman, R. (2007). Practical Tips for Publishing Scholarly Articles. Chicago: Lyceum. Galvan, J. L. (2006). Writing Literature Reviews: A guide for students of the social and behavioral sciences, 3rd edition. Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Goldbort, R. (2006). Writing for Science. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press. Softcover, 330 pp. Gray, T. (2005). Publish & Flourish: Become a prolific scholar. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University Teaching Academy. Softcover, 132 pp. Harman, E., Montagnes, I., McMenemy, S., & Bucci, C. (eds.). (2003). The Thesis and the Book: A guide for first time academic authors, 2nd ed. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Softcover, 104 pp. Mooney, J., & Cole, D. (2000). Learning Outside the Lines: Two ivy league students with learning disabilities and ADHD give you the tools for academic success and educational revolution. New York: Fireside (Simon & Schuster). An easy and irreverent read. Page, S. (1997). The Shortest Distance Between You and a Published Book. Broadway Books. Softcover, 288 pp. Excellent list of steps to follow. Silva, P. J. (2007). How to Write a Lot: A practical guide to productive academic writing. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Softcover, 149 pp. Wilhelm, K. (2005). Storyteller: Writing lessons and more from 27 years of the Clarion Writers' Workshop. Northampton, MA: Small Beer Press. Softcover, 191 pp.

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	Mary Beth's 10 SUGGESTIONS TO GET YOUR WRITING UNBLOCKED™

	Many people who contact Write On MBA are struggling with writing blocks. If you fall into that category, the suggestions below may help you.

	Write. Start with something you can do, such as 15 minute intervals of putting new words on paper (or computer screen). Try keeping a daily journal. If just writing doesn’t work for you, start by drawing a web of ideas or making a list as a way to jog your mind. Have fun writing. Put your thoughts down as poetry or "free write," to rekindle your enjoyment of the craft/activity. Prioritize. If you are serious about completing your book, article, story, poem, etc., you may need to see this as a job. Go "to work." Limit your phone calls and social email time during writing hours. What nonverbal signals can you give other members of your household or workplace not to interrupt you? Take good care of yourself. Balance your writing, a solitary activity, with the social interactions and emotional closeness you need. Enough sleep, regular meals, and daily exercise are not "luxuries," but writing aids. Break your work down into doable pieces. They will add up. Concentrate on just this paragraph, page or chapter. Work from an outline or writing web. Set a timer for writing intervals followed by timed, planned breaks. Give yourself positive feedback for the work you have done, rather than unending criticism or worry about what remains to be done. Join a writer’s group. Solidarity helps. Knowing you have made a commitment to have something in particular done by the next meeting may give you the drive to get it done. If you are feeling burned out, or you are not getting any joy from your writing, consider taking a planned vacation from writing (either all writing, or just the "work"). Get writing coaching help with the stuff that’s holding you back or with behavioral techniques to get you going again.

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