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100 Stimulating Videos for Beating Writer’s Block

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May 24th, 2010

While some might claim that watching 100 videos about overcoming writer’s block is just procrastinating, you know that it is actually a worthwhile endeavor. Once you know how to beat writer’s block, you can carry on with the important work of writing. So take a break from working on that latest novel, toiling over a paper for your online degree, or trying to come up with a blog post so that you can watch these videos.

Overcoming Writer’s Block

Find plenty of advice and suggestions for overcoming writer’s block from these videos.

  1. Dealing with Writer’s Block. Get some basic tips on beating writer’s block.
  2. The Writer’s Block Rock. Listening to this song may just help you get back to writing.
  3. How to Overcome Writer’s Block. This video provides tips for overcoming writer’s block.
  4. Top Ten Writing Tips To Help You To Write More. Find out what tips Angela Booth provides to help you write more.
  5. 6 Tips To Overcoming and Cure for Writer’s Block. Watch this video to learn about writer’s block and what you can do to overcome it.
  6. Perfectionism and Writer’s Block. This video features quotes from writers discussing how to overcome writer’s block.
  7. How to Overcome Writer’s Block — Your Writing Coach. Jurgen Wolff, author of Your Writing Coach, tells about one great way to overcome writer’s block.
  8. A Cure For Writer’s Block? How To Get Back In The Flow…. An online entrepreneur discusses overcoming writer’s block.
  9. No More Writer’s Block. Try these four suggestions to break your block.
  10. How to overcome writer’s block. Find out what this author has to say about beating writer’s block.
  11. Story Ideas and Writer’s Block. Learn how to keep those creative ideas flowing.
  12. Writer’s block – Simple steps to help you overcome writer’s block. See what this man suggests to help find a topic to write about.
  13. Bob Moresco of Crash on Writers Block. Find out what this co-writer of Crash says about defeating writer’s block.
  14. Writer’s Block. Tom Fontana tells why he thinks he has never had writer’s block.
  15. How To Get Over The Writer’s Block?. This woman shares all the tips her friends from Facebook gave her about overcoming writer’s block.
  16. Author F.E. Higgins at Perrot Library: Overcoming Writer’s Block. Higgins doesn’t believe in writer’s block and explains why.
  17. How to Write Better Almost Instantly. While these tips are actually for improving your writing style, they also work as inspiration for finding ideas.
  18. Writing Ramblings: Writer’s Block. This author describes writer’s block and how to overcome it.
  19. How to Beat Writer’s Block. Learn tips for beating writer’s block with this video.
  20. Getting Over Writer’s Block By Going Through It. Click on the video in this blog post to hear what you can do to get over writer’s block.

Writers Discussing Writing

These videos feature famous writers discussing writing and are sure to spark your inspiration.

  1. Ray Bradbury on Writing Persistently. Find out what Bradbury has to say about sticking with writing.
  2. Vonnegut Advice: Short Stories. Listen to this sage advice from Kurt Vonnegut on how to write a story.
  3. Joyce Carol Oates – On Writing Characters. Oates discusses starting stories with characters.
  4. Advice from Stephen King. King talks about the connection between being a reader and being a writer.
  5. Garrison Keillor: Finding your voice as a writer. Keillor talks about finding your writing voice.
  6. Monty Python Talks About… Writing. Eric Idle remembers what it was like writing with each of the members of Monty Python.
  7. Amy Tan – Writing from Personal Experience. Famous for her books based on her personal experience, Tan discusses drawing on personal experience for writing.
  8. Frank McCourt – Writing About Poverty. McCourt explains his motivation for writing about the poverty of his childhood.
  9. Book TV: Writers on Writing. Nell Irvin Painter, PJ O’Rourke, and John McWhorter discuss how they start their day when writing.
  10. John Irving on the Writer’s Craft. Irving shares his view of writing and how he approaches it.
  11. Diana Gabaldon on Writing. Gabaldon says that persistence in writing keeps her from running out of ideas.
  12. Book TV: Michael Eric Dyson & George Weigel on Writing. Find out what these two writers have to say about their writing habits.
  13. Secret Tip to Writing Great Characters and Dialogue. David Farland tells one of his secrets about writing characters and dialogue.
  14. Author Susan Elizabeth Phillips on Writing Memorable Endings. Learn what Phillips enjoys when reading and writing endings.
  15. Writing Dialogue: Tony Jordan interviewed by Charlie Brooker. Jordon discusses how to write dialogue here.
  16. Famous Author Quotes. This video is a stream of quotes from writers about writing.

Writer’s Block Series

This series of seven videos offers suggestions on how to overcome writer’s block. Instead of lecturing, though, these videos tell a story to demonstrate each of the seven elements of writing a story.

  1. Writer’s Block Part 1: The Concept. The first thing you must do is find a concept.
  2. Writer’s Block Part 2: Conflict. Find out why every story must include conflict.
  3. Writer’s Block Part 3: The Goal. Usually tied to the conflict, the goal is what the protagonist wants.
  4. Writer’s Block Part 4: Theme. What is the story about? That’s the theme.
  5. Writer’s Block Part 5: Escalation. Escalation is what moves the story toward the ending.
  6. Writer’s Block Part 6: Contrast. Be sure to include contrast in your story in order to help the plot.
  7. Writer’s Block Part 7: Endings. Learn about wrapping up your story with a powerful ending.

Overcoming Procrastination

Just about every writer who has faced writer’s block knows that procrastination is a key element standing in the way of a completed job. Find out how you can overcome procrastination with these videos.

  1. (How to Beat) Procrastination. Watch many of the ways writers procrastinate when they should be writing and learn how to beat procrastination.
  2. How to Become a Freelance Writer: Dealing With Procrastination & Freelance Writing. This video looks at how procrastination can be a problem for freelance writers and how to overcome that issue.
  3. Stop Procrastination: How To Just Get On With It. Think about procrastination as an element of fear and learn how to overcome that fear to just get started.
  4. Beating Procrastination. MindTools offers three ways to beat procrastination.
  5. 10 Tips To Beat Procrastination, NOW!. These ten tips will have you putting procrastination behind you and writing in no time.
  6. 3 Powerful Techniques To Beat Procrastination. These techniques are sure to help you learn how to stop putting difficult tasks off.
  7. How to Overcome Procrastination and the Fear of Failure – Lesson 92. If fear of failure is holding you back, learn how to overcome this fear.
  8. 7 steps to avoid procrastination. Make a seven-step action plan to ensure you don’t fall prey to procrastination.
  9. Tips to overcome procrastination. Read these tips set to an upbeat tune that will have you ready to start writing now.
  10. How to Stop Procrastinating. The Daily Idea offers some creative ways to overcome your procrastination problem.
  11. Tales Of Mere Existence: "Procrastination" Tales Of Mere Existence. If you recognize yourself in this video, then you really need to take the advice offered in the above videos.

Inspiration

Inspiration seems to be the golden apple to those suffering from writer’s block, so find out what others have to say about the reality of finding inspiration.

  1. Diane Chamberlain on Writing: Inspiration. Chamberlain discusses how she finds inspiration for her books.
  2. Inspiration and Writing. Find out why this author feels inspiration is a luxury and discipline is what gets the writing done.
  3. Inspiring Authors. Listen to these authors as they describe how to keep going when writing seems difficult.
  4. Inspirational Tips from Author Lia Scott Price. If your writer’s block is caused by lack of confidence, then you will want to see this video.
  5. Tahmima Anam talks about writers. Think about how place can be an inspiration for writing after watching this video.
  6. Jacques Derrida – Fear of Writing. Derrida discusses the boldness he feels while writing and the fear that sets in when he isn’t.
  7. Beth Grant on her writing Inspiration. Grant shares plenty of inspiration for writing, including discipline, rewriting, and reading.
  8. Inspirational Writing. Learn about the 100th monkey theory as it pertains to finding your inspiration for writing.
  9. From Inspiration to Finished Work – Donald Samson on writing The Dragon Boy. Samson describes to school children where his inspiration comes to him.
  10. Creative Writing: The Essentials of Getting Started and Getting Inspired. This creative writing student shares what works for her to start writing.
  11. Gwyneth Lewis: Writing Poetry. Listen as this poet discusses her inspiration for writing.

Creativity

When those creative juices are flowing, writer’s block is banished. Find out what you can do to inspire creativity in your writing.

  1. Creative Writing Structure for Authors. Learn what this writing coach has to say about the writing process.
  2. Books on Writing and Creativity (Part 1). Find out about books that will help you get into a state of mind perfect for writing.
  3. Books on Writing and Creativity (Part 2). This continuation of book recommendations opens with a video clip of Anne Lamotte briefly mentioning what changed her writing block.
  4. Author Jane Smiley: "Reading, Writing and Creativity". Discover what Jane Smiley had to say about reading, writing, and creativity during this lecture at Vanderbilt University.
  5. Writing Coach Gives Tips on Counterintuitive Creativity. Learn ten ways to "foster your inner rebel" with these tips.
  6. Creative Writing – 7 Proven Techniques. From choosing the right time to write to not over-criticizing yourself, these tips will help you find your creative spark.
  7. Elizabeth Gilbert: A new way to think about creativity. Hear what Elizabeth Gilbert has to say about writing and creativity in this TED talk.
  8. Lia Scott Price Creative Writing Tips. Lia Scott Price shares some of her ideas on writing and finding creativity.
  9. Descent into Limbo. Maurice Sendak, author of the world-renowned Where the Wild Things Are, discusses depression, his lifelong search for childhood, and the impact of it all on creativity.
  10. Review: "The Artist’s Way" by Julia Cameron. Watch as Jurgen Wolff talks about Cameron’s book, which has become a gold standard for those hoping to find their creativity.
  11. Where Will Your Innovation Come From?. Listen to this singer and poet as he discusses tapping into your creativity.
  12. What Drives a Writer’s Creativity. Find out who this author credits with his inspiration for success.

Specific Techniques for Beating Writer’s Block

These specific techniques offer methods of overcoming writer’s block.

  1. 1. Gerald Weinberg, Myth of Writer’s Block.mov. Gerald Weinberg discusses the Fieldstone Method and writer’s block.
  2. EFT Emotional Freedom Technique for Writer’s Block. This technique is based on clearing emotional blockages in order to kickstart writing.
  3. Eliminate writer’s block with the Ultimate Research Assistant. The Ultimate Research Assistant will help students and others writing research-based papers eliminate writer’s block.
  4. Breaking Down Writer’s Block – Featuring Chris Griffiths. Learn about iMindMap and how it can help you overcome writer’s block.
  5. Inspired Writing: Creativity Hypnosis For Writers. This guided relaxation provides a way for those struggling with writer’s block to let go of the negative energy and open their minds to creativity.

Overcoming Writer’s Block in Specific Genres

Whether you are writing songs, non-fiction, or children’s books, these tips are specialized to specific types or genres of writing.

  1. Overcoming Writer’s Block to Write a Non-Fiction Book. This video is specifically for first-time authors writing a non-fiction book.
  2. Mary-Kate Mackey – The Writer’s Workout – Writing using a story arc. This writing teacher shares a technique to help those engaged in garden writing.
  3. How To Write & Perform A Stand-Up Comedy Act : Writer’s Block: Stand-Up Comedy Tips. Comedy writers who hit a wall can use these tips to start writing again.
  4. Overcome Writer’s Block www.howtowriteachildrensbook.com. Discover great ways to find something to write about when creating a children’s book.
  5. 10 Ways To Defeat Writers Block. Learn ten ways for songwriters to beat writer’s block.
  6. How to Write a Rap Song: How to Overcome Writer’s Block. If you aspire to writing rap music, then this video is for you.
  7. The Writing of Fantasy. Gregory Maguire and Susan Cooper discuss writing fantasy and touch on the inspiration they have for writing in this genre. If you are a fantasy writing struggling to find your words, watch this video for ideas on how to break the block.

The Funnier Side of Writer’s Block

These videos offer fun glimpses into the world of writer’s block. While they may not teach you much, they just might spark your creativity.

  1. A Cure for Writer’s Block [PART I]. This short film takes a look at a bad case of writer’s block.
  2. Writer’s Block. This Lego film creatively demonstrates the frustration of writing block.
  3. Exactly How Writer’s Block Works. This funny video demonstrates what happens when writer’s block sets in.
  4. Writer’s Block. This writer really can’t get rid of his writer’s block.
  5. Writer’s Block: Backspace. The backspace key may be a writer’s worst enemy.
  6. Writer’s Block. This young woman is trying to write a book, but comes up against distractions.
  7. Writer’s Block – Comedy Short Film. See where inspiration for writing comes from.
  8. Writer’s Block. Oh, the things writer’s do when they don’t know what to write.
  9. Writer’s Block. This writer puts himself into his own story.
  10. WRITER’S BLOCK: Writing Is A Strange Adventure V. Imaginative Writing students act out writer’s block and are joined by a famous case of writer’s block.
  11. Dan Patrick’s Inspiration. This commercial for Sports Center on ESPN provides a humorous look at writer’s block.

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