Steven Pressfield

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

Hi YCM

As you have probably seen over the last few months I tend to get very agitated by writer's block and lack of motivation, and its something that plagues everyone here. Not just writers, but anyone with a goal to accomplish.

For my birthday, a friend of mine bought me a book entitled "Do the Work." He knows I've been writing a lot of fanfiction this year and struggled with it, although he's never read any of it. He's also a very up and at them kinda guy, who gets up and makes no excuses, just does what he needs to do to accomplish what he wants. So he bought me this as something to help with writing, as a tool to help conquer the Resistance that is our minds!

Dunno if anyone else has read either book, or if this thread is rule-breaking plugging, but just thought I should forward it to the creative community.

I would like to dedicate this thread to another friend, Dion (Epic Hero Saber) who has had to have the same discussion with me ninety-three times this year to conquer my Resistance to do any writing.

[spoiler= The War of Art, from Steven Pressfield Online][b]The War of Art[/b]

[indent]A vital gem . . . a kick in the ass.
—Esquire[/indent][indent]I've never read a self help book that wasn't fatuous, obvious and unhelpful. Until The War of Art. It's amazingly cogent and smart on the psychology of creation. If I ever teach a writing course this would be one of the first books I'd assign, along with the letters of Flannery O'Connor.
—Jay McInerney, author of Bright Lights, Big City and Brightness Falls[/indent]
[img]http://www.stevenpressfield.com/wp-content/images/books/warofart_book.jpg[/img]

What keeps so many of us from doing what we long to do? Why is there a naysayer within? How can we avoid the roadblocks of any creative endeavor—be it starting up a dream business venture, writing a novel, or painting a masterpiece?

The War of Art identifies the enemy that every one of us must face, outlines a battle plan to conquer this internal foe, then pinpoints just how to achieve the greatest success.

The War of Art emphasizes the resolve needed to recognize and overcome the obstacles of ambition and then effectively shows how to reach the highest level of creative discipline. Think of it as tough love . . . for yourself.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Do the Work, from Steven Pressfield Online][b]Do The Work[/b]

[indent]
Steven Pressfield is the author of the most important book you've never read: The War of Art. It will help you understand why you're stuck, it will kick you in the pants, and it will get you moving. You should, no, you must buy a copy as soon as you finish reading this.

In this manifesto, Steve gets practical, direct, and personal. Read it fast; then read it again and take notes. Then buy a copy for everyone else who's stuck and push them to get to work as well.
—From the Foreword to [i]Do The Work[/i] by [url="http://www.sethgodin.com"]Seth Godin[/url][/indent]
[img]http://www.stevenpressfield.com/wp-content/images/books/dothework_book.jpg[/img]


D[i]o The Work[/i] isn't so much a follow-up to [i]The War of Art[/i] as it is an action guide that gets down and dirty in the trenches. Say you've got a book, a screenplay or a startup in your head but you're stuck or scared or just don't know how to begin, how to break through or how to finish. [i]Do The Work[/i] takes you step-by-step from the project's inception to its ship date, hitting each predictable 'Resistance point' along the way and giving techniques and drills for overcoming each obstacle. There's even a section called 'Belly of the Beast' that goes into detail about dealing with the inevitable moment in any artistic or entrepreneurial venture when you hit the wall and just want to cry 'HELP!'[/spoiler]

I can post tidbits of advice from the book here if needed, but yeah, just thought it was something I could put up for you.

[bury the year]

Moved to Literature, as this thread discusses published works.

[NoshpalStefan]

As a rather aspiring Writer, I really think I need these books. At these times, I really get stuck when I want to write, and yet I think that I have about a couple of dozen ideas resonating in my head. Do you know where I can order these books?

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

[quote name='LiteratureDude96' timestamp='1356505996' post='6102318']
As a rather aspiring Writer, I really think I need these books. At these times, I really get stuck when I want to write, and yet I think that I have about a couple of dozen ideas resonating in my head. Do you know where I can order these books?
[/quote]

Depejnds on your location, but Waterstones/Amazon/Ebay are all sure bets.

Read about 1/3rd of Do The Work last night, owing slightly ironically to the fact I had no work to do. Was good.