Conquer Writer's BLock

When I reveal that over the last year I've lost almost 50 pounds, 25% of my body weight, the almost uniform response is: how? Sometimes it is a desperate wail, HOW?! Ah, the sound of a desperate dieter. Others express a touch of awe or curious interest (usually from the already skinny). The simple secret for me was to have an incentive intense enough to force me into losing weight. But that's too personal. What the questioners want to know are the mechanics, and those are the same as for overcoming a Writer's Block: choice and persistence.

These are not secrets. Diets don't fail, people do. They fail to choose a path to success; instead, they choose sidetracks, derailments, and dead ends; and they choose to quit before arriving at the destination. Right now those may not sound like choices to you. That may be because you're still looking for someone, something external to blame for failure.

The favorite refrain in the soap opera I watch is: "I had no choice!" It's right up there with, "We're soul-partners. We were fated to be together." Excuses, all, allowing the plots to continue when the characters would be axed if they accepted responsibility for their actions.

Life and writing aren't fantasy plots, however. No secrets open the doors to success. No pleasant, smiling doorman waits to serve. Writers must self-motivate, get up and walk the path toward the door marked "Published", grab the handle, twist, pull, and heave that door open.

Without a doubt, there will be obstacles. That's when persistence shines. Both persistence walking the path and persistence in making choices that lead toward the goal. Vacation in the Poconos or stay home to work on the book? Keep up with the latest fashions or attend an excellent writers' conference? Surf the best break or wrestle with a story on surfing?

Sometimes conquering Writer's Block is a simple as making a choice and sticking with it.

I know I skipped the promised piece on Social Networking. Maybe tomorrow. Stay tuned.