Book #5 of 100: Deep Writing by Eric Maisel

I am sorry to those who don’t want to read about all my writing books, but this is just too good not to mention.

This. Book. Is. Amazing.

Deep Writing by Eric Maisel is a small book (158 pages) but packs a powerful punch. If you are a writer like me who wavers between writing from fear (fear of the blank page, fear of failure, fear of not getting it right, whatever) and writing from a calm joyful discovery of the world (such a better way to write, trust me), this is your book. Within two pages, you are told how to hush your critical self, how to find the “back door” in order to escape having to answer your howling critics that are figments of your imagination (even though they are based on real-life people you know), and how to just start with a light touch, with a doable task, and how to not set the bar too high as you begin.

The anxiety that builds in a writer’s mind is pretty intense. Everything in our heads that we want to write looks so much better in our vision of what it could be, not on the page where it actually becomes something less than what we envisioned. Tough one, but Maisel’s book will help you through it.

I think we envision something amazing and our first attempt discourages us. So we stop, try to refocus, and that discouragement then continues to cloud our continuing creativity. Maisel’s book helps you to not set yourself up for discouragement to begin with, and I found myself invigorated by his suggestions before starting to write. But enough about what I thought, see what you think.

So, read it, get those critics quiet in your head, and before they realize you are accomplishing something, get writing!

Addendum: I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new computers (a new iMac desktop and a PC laptop with docking station). I don’t buy PCs anymore, so the PC was bought for me by my client. I tried though.  I talked until I was blue in the face trying to get them to buy me a Macbook Air. But no dice. Darn.

Anyway, I am so excited about my new iMac. I got the big screen (24 inches!) and I seriously am delirious with anticipation. I know the Fedex truck is like four blocks away and I’m considering going out there to chase it down. I’ve already gotten my courtesy call from my new Apple Business Consultant. Doesn’t that sound impressive? Nah, they just want me to spend more money. But I love their attention to detail (plus their free recycling of my old computer).

Happy Veep debate day! Here we go.

Tagged as: 100 books, book record, reading, real/brilliant, writing