Do You Need a Kick in the Pants? &break;&break;You've heard all the rules to get yourself to write–work on a schedule, write in a particular place, always write a certain number of words, and so on ... all rules based on things that have worked for other writers. &break;&break;But what works for you? What will get your book written? &break;&break;Psychotherapist and writing coach Bill O'Hanlon provides no rules–just principles and methods that you can personalize to your own style and preferences. You'll learn that you don't have to be a natural writer or a good writer to write; you just have to write–and find out what uniquely motivates you to write. &break;&break;By combining his experience as a therapist and his own prolific career as an author, Bill shows you how to manage overwhelming projects, while finding the passion to finish what you start. Plus, a DVD featuring an hour-long workshop showcases the best bits of Bill's weeklong bootcamp for writers, so you can fully experience the charisma behind the principles. &break;&break;It's the literary equivalent of Prozac, cattle prods, M&Ms, and whatever else you need to get moving, get writing, and get it done.
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An aspiring author, a publisher, and a psychotherapist walk into a writer's convention together...
I tend to be attracted to books written for writers by those in the mental health field. These people know what they're talking about. Take for instance Dr. Linda Edelstein's Writer's Guide to Character Traits. Who better to identify the inner workings of my characters than someone who has been in their heads for over 20 years? Likewise, who better to understand my woes of writing than a therapist who has written nearly 30 books? Without ever having talked to me, Bill O'Hanlon knows exactly why I don't write.
The neverending theme of Write is a Verb is simple: if you want to write, then write and don't let others tell you how to do it. O'Hanlon is right. Most books on the subject tell the reader when, where, and how to write. O'Hanlon's advice is to ignore all this and do what works best for you. Along the way, he offers the typical barrage of definitive “dos” and “don'ts” to break through the normal barriers, but these do not detract from the primary message.
Write is a Verb starts strong with great advice and wonderful anecdotes from writers who have succeeded. By midway, however, the book looses steam and begins to sound repetitive. By the end, there is too much focus on publishing and the writing of non-fiction titles that the “fiction writer just needing a kick in the pants” can become discouraged.
O'Hanlon has an engaging voice and has written one of the best books on the subject, but unfortunately he takes it too far and for too long. As a self-proclaimed expert on publishing, he likely knew that anything shorter would have a tough time making it to bookstore shelves. Unfortunately, O'Hanlon shared no tips regarding quantity versus quality in this title; perhaps he is saving that for the sequel.
