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Creative Book of Writing Prompts and Exercises: “Kicking in the Wall” by Barbara Abercrombie

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Kicking in the Wall
Kicking in the Wall by Barbara Abercrombie
My husband, daughters, and I once attended a major league baseball game. Being a baseball-loving family, it was a day we’ll never forget. Enjoying all delicious nine innings was easy, standing and clapping were easy… heck, even over-paying for Cokes and snacks was easy. The only difficult part of the process was finding our way into the stadium! Each door seemed to recommend another door and we found ourselves in a maze with thousands of other baseball fans.

Once we were in the door, we became one with the flow of other fans and we all found our seats.  After that, it was all good. In fact, very good.

I often think about that day when I’m staring at a blank screen or sheet of paper. When it comes to writing, finding the way IN is half the battle. Once you’re in the door, you get in the flow and… with any luck.. it’s a win.

Writing prompts can be one of a writer’s best friends – right up there with coffee in fact. Kicking in the Wall is my new favorite writing prompts book and if you are a writer, author (any genre), and/or blogger (we can use prompts as much as anyone), you’ll definitely want to add this book to your library.

“I would go as far as I could and hit a wall,” said musician and memoirist Patti Smith. In response, playwright Sam Shepard advised, “When you hit a wall, just kick it in.” Writing teacher Barbara Abercrombie’s powerful writing prompts give us just the push we need to do it. Like a workout with a top trainer, her exercises warm up, stretch, and build creative muscle.

Kicking In the Wall includes quotes from famous writers to accompany the exercises, as well as real-world examples of completed exercises by the author’s students in the UCLA Extension Writer’s Program. Though Abercrombie says readers need only commit to five minutes per exercise, she writes, “I’ve seen novels, memoirs, and many essays get started in those five minutes, and a lot ended up being published.” Her playful method is essential fuel for writers trying to get off the starting block, persevere through challenges, and cross their personal creativity finish lines.

Author Barbara Abercrombie wrote another one of my favorite books for writers, A Year of Writing Dangerously, so I absolutely couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one. Spending time with one of her books is like spending time with your own personal writing instructor as she gives you one-on-one advice, tips, and even “hacks.”

I not at all surprised she has this effect on her readers. Not only is she an author, she  teaches at the UCLA Extension Writer’s Program.  Is it any wonder her books have such a profound effect on her readers?

See Kicking in the Wall for more information.

 Keep writing!
~ Joi (“Joy”)


Overwhelmed Writer Rescue: Boost Productivity, Improve Time Management, and Replenish the Creator Within by Colleen M. Story

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Overwhelmed Writer Rescue

I was recently invited to participate in a Review/Giveaway/Book Tour for the wonderful book you see pictured above, Overwhelmed Writer Rescue by Colleen M. Story. I jumped at the chance because…

  1. I want to add more books about writing to Self Help Daily.
  2. As a web publisher and blogger (with 8 blogs… count ’em, 8), I was pretty interested in the information, myself.
  3. My oldest daughter, Emily, is a writer and I knew this book could help her.

As you’d expect from a mother, the third one was the most appealing to me. Sorry not sorry.

But here’s the thing…. I absolutely loved this book cover to cover! Unlike some non-fiction books, this book read at a really fast pace. As writers and bloggers, we always appreciate that, right? The author has a captivating personality and it comes through each of her words.

While you can tell how much research she has put into her craft, it isn’t what sets this book apart from other writing books.

So, what does set it apart?

Author Colleen M. Story is, perhaps without even trying, incredibly encouraging. Yes, she is presenting a wealth of information (and wonderful tips!) and, yes, she gives her own experience from her side of the pen – but to me the most compelling effect of reading this book is the feeling you’re left with….. I can do this!

Seriously, could you ask for any more from a book?!

{Continued Below}

Embrace Your Life

Advice, Most Excellent from Overwhelmed Writer Rescue

Who Needs this Overwhelmed Writer Rescue?

Published Authors. If you are an author who has seen their work (book, e-book, article, poem) published, congratulations! That is an incredible accomplishment and I am sincerely proud for you. You know more than most how overwhelming the whole process is. This book is still for you, however. In fact, I whole-heartedly believe it could make the process easier the next time around.

You’ll pull out a lot less hair this time.

Future Authors. Okay, confession time. My own family doesn’t even realize this but I’ve had not just one but TWO books in limbo for a few years.  Somewhere along the way, life got the upper hand and the books just sort of sat there. I still believe in them with all my heart, I simply set them on the back burner because there was always something on the front burner demanding my attention. Like 8 blogs.

After reading the inspiring words of Colleen M. Story and taking killer notes as I read her book, I have figured out that this whole “back burner” scenario is a crock. When cooking, I use my front burners and back burners simultaneously. There is no either this or that. I don’t say, “Well, the fried catfish and okra are on the front burners, the potatoes and corn won’t make it to the table – after all, they’re on the back burners.”

Why does everything always go back to food with me?

Armed with outstanding advice and much-needed encouragement, I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and tackle my neglected books in limbo. Both of them – one at a time.

Bloggers. I have been a web-publisher and blogger for far too many years to count. One thing that has always frustrated me is the fact that, even though most of us writer literally every day of the week, we aren’t often looked at as writers.  That’s like looking at a carrot and saying it isn’t a vegetable because it isn’t as expensive as yams.

Again with food.

We are writers. We write. Therefore we are writers.

If you are a blog publisher, you will love this book to Starbucks and back. The information and inspiration are as much for carrots as they are yams.  Trust me on this, Overwhelmed Writer Rescue is as much for you as any other writer.

{Continued Below}

Put it all together

Book Description:

FIND THE TIME, ENERGY, AND CONFIDENCE TO MAKE YOUR CREATIVE DREAMS COME TRUE.

Do you feel like you’re always behind? Do less important tasks frequently flood your schedule and sink your creative motivation? Are you frustrated and out of touch with your inner artist?

After 20 years experience in the writing industry, author Colleen M. Story extends a lifeline to pull you out of the sinking swamp of “busyness” and back into the flourishing creative life you deserve.

Today’s demands on writers and other creative artists are overwhelming. Not only must you produce the work you love, but build and maintain a platform and market your finished products to the world—all while holding down a day job and/or caring for a family.

You teeter on the edge. What waits on the other side are burnout, exhaustion, and a complete loss of creative motivation.

“Overwhelmed Writer Rescue” provides practical, personalized solutions to help beginning and experienced writers and other creative artists escape the tyranny of the to-do list to nurture the genius within. You’ll find ways to boost productivity, improve time management, and restore your sanity while gaining insight into your unique creative nature and what it needs to thrive.

Ultimately, you’ll discover what may be holding you back from experiencing the true joy that a creative life can bring.

{Closing thoughts and a Book Giveaway are below!}

Colleen M. Story

About the Author:

Colleen M. Story has worked in the creative writing industry for over twenty years. Her novels include “Loreena’s Gift,” an Idaho Author Awards first place winner, New Apple Solo Medalist winner, Foreword Reviews INDIES Book of the Year Awards winner, Reader Views award finalist, and Best Book Awards finalist; and “Rise of the Sidenah,” a North American Book Awards winner and New Apple Book Awards Official Selection.

As a health writer, she’s authored thousands of articles for publications like “Healthline” and “Women’s Health;” worked with high-profile clients like Gerber Baby Products and Kellogg’s; and ghostwritten books on back pain, nutrition, and cancer recovery. She finds most rewarding her work as a motivational speaker and workshop leader, where she helps writers remove mental and emotional blocks and tap into their unique creative powers.

Colleen is the founder of Writing and Wellness (writingandwellness.com), a motivational site helping writers and other creative artists maintain their physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being throughout their careers. Sign up for your free weekly email containing tips for living your best creative life at: www.writingandwellness/newsletter.

To find more information on Colleen and her work, please see her website or follow her on Twitter. She loves to hear from readers—feel free to use the “contact” form on either her website or Writing and Wellness to get in touch with her.

In Closing… What Makes This Book Extra Special

I’ve put my finger on what it is that makes Overwhelmed Writer Rescue by Colleen M. Story EXTRA special and it’s simple. She doesn’t give tell you how to manage your time, awaken your creativity, and get things accomplished based upon what works for others – she guides you as you discover how to manage your time, awaken your creativity, and get things accomplished based upon what works for you.

That, as they say, is where the magic happens. We don’t improve in any area of our lives by mimicking what others do. We have to do what works for us, or it won’t stick. Through fascinating information and interactivity (which I love by the way), the author allows the reader to find what works for them, individually.

I recommend this book 110 percent. – Joi

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter

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How to Write an Academic Book

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A book review is a formal piece of writing that critically evaluates a particular book or source of information. The review may also explain how that book compares to similar books on the same topic.

An academic book review is different from a book report. While a book report merely provides a summary of a book, the book review offers a detailed analysis. When you review a book, you have to analyze the key arguments made by the author and also explain how the author validates those arguments. A good review should evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the book.

In a book report, you often write whether you liked the book. The book review is not about your likes or dislikes. It is about the merits and problems of the book. While in a book report, you only have to state whether a particular work is good, bad or excellent, in a book review you have to evaluate all those factors that make it so.  That means a review is a detailed analysis whereas a report is nothing more than a synopsis.

Things to consider while writing an academic book review

Many students find the prospect of writing a book review quite daunting. It does not have to be. With some preparation, you can complete this task successfully.

Before you start writing the review, you have to read the book critically. That is important. It is impossible to write a good review without reading the book thoroughly. Take notes while reading the book. When you prepare notes in your own words, you can avoid regurgitating the exact same words from the book in your review.

While reading the book try to find answers to the following questions

  • What is the main theme or issue addressed by the book?
  • What is the argument presented by the author?
  • What is the organization of the chapters? Are they ordered thematically or chronologically?

Making an Evaluation

This is the hardest part for most students. They feel daunted by the reputation of the author and doubt their ability to critique the work of an accomplished writer. Remember that there is a difference between thinking critically about a book and simply criticizing it. While reviewing a book you may agree or disagree with the author and his/her treatment of the subject. Whether you agree or disagree, make sure that the review is an objective analysis of the work. There is no room for bias or prejudice in an honest review. Evaluate the main points of the book and find out how well the author presents and supports them in the book. You should also evaluate how the presentation of the arguments helps the reader to understand the book.

Here are some more questions to ask yourself while reading the book

  • Does the book help the reader to learn more about a particular issue or a period of time?
  • Does the author provide enough evidence to support his/her arguments?
  • Does the book achieve its objective?
  • Does the author acknowledge all the available evidence to support his claims?
  • What makes this book different from or similar to other books on the same topic?
  • Is the book convincing enough?

Structure of an academic book review

Like any other piece of writing, an academic book review has a specific structure.

  • Introduction

The review must have a short and crisp introduction. The introduction must have two elements – the background and the thesis. The background part includes the name of the book and the author you are reviewing. You may also want to make a brief reference to the background of the book. Towards the end of the thesis, you should provide a short and clear analysis of the work. This analysis is your thesis statement.

  • Summary

The introduction should be followed by a summary of the main arguments. Make sure that you are not simply repeating every point mentioned in the book. Instead, identify the important arguments in the book and summarize them.

  • Evaluation/Analysis

The evaluation should constitute the lion’s share of your review. Here you have to develop the points you made in the thesis. You may use quotations and/or examples from the book. Ask your professor if it is okay to include quotations in the review.

  • Conclusion

Provide a crisp summary of the review in the conclusion. In a few words explain what contribution this particular book makes to its field. You should also identify its limitations.

  • Problems that students face

Book reviews are different from other kinds of essays in many ways. It takes a considerable amount of time and preparation to write a convincing review.

Here are some problems that students face while preparing a book review.

Instead of analyzing and evaluating the main arguments of the author, many students simply summarize every piece of information given in the book. Keep in mind that you are not preparing a summary. In a book review, you only have to discuss the main arguments and evidence that support them.

Some students simply prepare a report on the event, instead of interpreting the event discussed in the book. Remember that your focus is the book and not the topic discussed in it. Your concern must be analyzing the author’s treatment of the subject.
Some students commit an even bigger mistake. They start writing the review even before reading the book. This results in a review that lacks depth. So read and reflect on the book before reviewing it.

Keeping it simple

Like any piece of academic writing, a book review should have a clear and logical structure. The thesis should give some clues to what topics you are going to discuss and in what order.

You also need to ensure that your review is not based on your personal opinions. Just because you found the book boring, it doesn’t mean that it is boring. Dig deeper and find out why it is boring, interesting, good or bad. You need to have opinions about the work but it is equally important to base those opinions on a careful evaluation of the work.

 

Top 5 Tips to Avoid Back Pain at Work

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Back pain and musculoskeletal injuries are the leading cause of absence from work. While there are obligations from employers to protect the health and safety of their employees, you as an employee have a duty to look after yourself too. There’s a whole heap of advice out there about looking after your back at work.

Here, Mike James has done his research – in conjunction with Flexible Health insurance – and honed the list to give you five of the best things you can do to keep your back pain free.

How often are you moving?

The leading cause of back injuries is inactivity. No matter how good your chair, it’s crucial to get up and move around. Health experts recommend getting up and moving around for as little as one-to-two minutes every half hour. Not only can short breaks help your back. Research suggests employees who take regular short breaks are more energised and report higher job satisfaction as a result.

Are you sitting correctly?

We’re all aware of the benefits of ergonomically designed chairs, foot rests, wobble cushions and a whole manner of devices and gadgets designed to improve our posture. Ergonomics, by the way, is the scientific study of people in the workplace with a view to improving productivity. From the ergonomic mouse to the shoes you’re wearing, it doesn’t matter how many things you throw at it, if you’re not sitting in the right way then it could be money down the drain. Paying attention to posture is as important as the furniture you choose to support you.

What are you sitting on?

We all know by now that, as well as posture, the chair we sit on is equally important for healthy backs. We are bamboozled with information about what type of chair is best for us at work. It’s a minefield buying a new office chair and there’s a whole range of styles and prices to consider. A hefty price tag doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting the crème de la crème in ergonomics. We’ve compiled a list of features you should consider when buying your next office chair and most importantly be aware that one size definitely doesn’t fit all. For proper advice consult an ergonomic expert who can carry out a proper workstation assessment.

  1. Adjustable seat height – essential to ensure you are sitting at the correct height for your desk.
  2. Seat width and depth – the size of your seat pad will determine how comfortably you can sit. The depth is important for supporting your thighs. The ideal seat depth should allow three fingers depth between you and the chair when you sit as far back as possible in the seat.
  3. Lumbar support – a good ergonomic chair will enable you to adjust the height and depth of the seatback. Your lumbar spine has a natural curve. Supporting the contours of the spine is important and will help to avoid slouching.
  4. Seat tilt – used in conjunction with the lumbar support, it allows movement throughout the day.

Is your computer workstation a pain?

Something as small as re-organising your desk layout can make all the difference when it comes to back pain. Here are the basics in workstation layout to help reduce back pain at your desk.

  1. Your head should be balanced and not leaning forward.
  2. The top of the screen should be at about eye level.
  3. Arms should be relaxed, by your side with elbow joints at 90 degrees.
  4. Hands should be in line with forearms so the wrists are straight.
  5. You should be sitting back in your chair with good back support.
  6. There should be a small space between the chair seat and the back of your knee.
  7. Thighs should be roughly parallel to the floor.
  8. The screen should be approximately an arm length away from you.
  9. Feet should be flat on the floor or on a footrest.
  10. There should be enough space to use a mouse and never put documents between you and the keyboard – use an adjustable document holder to hold documents at the same height and distance as the monitor.

How is your emotional health?

It’s not just inactivity that causes back problems. It’s a well reported fact that stress manifests itself physiologically. Getting uptight does exactly what it says on the tin. So it’s no surprise to learn that stress commonly manifests in the neck, the shoulders and the back. Many people hold emotional stress in their muscles. We’ve all experienced a tension headache haven’t we? There’s increasing evidence that long term stress plays havoc with our health. It contributes to inflammation in the body, which inevitably affects muscles and joints.

Managing stress at work should be high on the priority list if you really want to cover all angles in preventing back pain at work. Why not factor in some breathing exercises or mini meditations when you are taking a break from your desk. Even having a two minute stretching routine every hour where you can also focus on your breathing really can have positive benefits.