How do I deal with "writer's block" when writing my book?

To properly view this site, javascript must be enabled and Flash version 9 or higher must be installed.
Get the latest Flash player
James Frey
Owner, American Literary Press
www.americanliterarypress.com  
410-882-7700, 800-873-2003

James V. Frey is the current owner of American Literary Press, a Baltimore, MD-based book publisher that has published books written by more than 1,300 first-time authors during the past 20 years.

Jim is a Cum Laude graduate of Dartmouth College. Following graduation from Dartmouth, he served as a high school teacher in Southern New Hampshire. Subsequently, he spent 15 years with Xerox Corporation in various Sales and Marketing capacities, accountable as a senior manager in his last two assignments. During the 1990’s, he was a General Manager for several large office technology firms and served as a director on five companies’ Board of Directors. Since 1999, he has been an owner of/investor in six entrepreneurial ventures, including American Literary Press. 

In 2001, Jim self-published his own industry-targeted “how to” book, based on his experience with both big and small business, that generated $25,000 in sales. In his estimation, Jim considers the publication of his 86 year-old father’s autobiography by American Literary Press in 2006 to be one of one of his major professional accomplishments.

With nearly two decades of experience, American Literary Press has the knowledge necessary to produce books exactly as our authors envision them. Our ability to adapt to the wishes of our authors is one of the primary reasons our company has been chosen by more than 1,200 aspiring and first-time writers. Not a single book is published unless it is one that we can proudly claim as our own, for we require that our books meet the highest standards for editorial accuracy, design and production.

American Literary Press provides authors with a wide variety of options from which to choose, including author-marketed publishing and programs that include professional marketing services. One of these options is certain to serve your needs. First, let’s evaluate your publishing project.

American Literary Press is your best solution if:

You want a book of first-rate bookstore quality and durability perfectly suited in design and format to your work and its market.

You want to see your work published in an edition you will be proud to present to the literary marketplace.

You want to work with a publisher you can trust to stand behind its commitments.

No other company can do more to satisfy your expectations because publishing is our only business. We are a full-service publisher, not simply a printer or bookseller with a high-tech copy machine.

We can show you how to save money without compromising on quality.

We offer cost-effective alternatives designed for your specific needs.

We use our extensive database of current marketing and sales contacts to ensure that your work will get the kind of exposure you seek.

How do I deal with "writer's block" when writing my book?

This video will discuss how to deal with 'writer's block' when writing a book.

This expert: 80,710 views

This series: 46,828 views

Print

Transcripts

Host: How do I deal with writer's block when writing my book?

James Frey: Many well known authors have talked about having momentary writer's blocks where they just can't seem to get going on their book. I would encourage you to remember a couple of things. One, just start writing. It doesn't have to be perfect. You can always go back and edit, delete, add material, add more thoughts once you have got something on paper. Probably, the most effective way to deal with writer's block is to recall in your mind why you started this project. Why did you really want to write this book? Also, try to remember for whom you are doing it. Is it for you personally? Is it for a group of friends and family or is it an attempt to get your work exposed to the literary marketplace? The most important thing to remember when you are dealing with a frustration of just trying to get going on a day is to imagine how good you will feel when your book is all done.

Other Videos

  •  How do I know what the interviewer  is going to ask me?
  • How to Make a Potato Battery This video will show how to make a potato battery.
  • Job Hunting - Interviewing In this video, career expert Brian Alden provides tips on what to do before, during and after an interview.  Since interviewing is the most important part of the job search process, it can be extremely stressful.  However, follow these steps and be prepared to ace that next big interview and land the job of your dreams!
  • What are interests?
  • What should every student know  about his high school transcripts? This video discusses the steps a high school student should take to begin the process for identifying the right choices and applying to college. It will provide you with both facts and expert opinion on various aspects of the college selection and admission process. There are suggestions on how to plan and strategize for gaining admittance to college. In addition, it will highlight different aspects of the process and breaks each down to a specific segment like standardized tests, college essays, financial aid, etc. to name just a few. We will offer suggestions on how to get started, remain on schedule and finally how to make the best choice for college. This video will provide every student and parent with the necessary insight as to how to begin and best move forward with the college process.
  • How do I know if running for office is right for me? In this video, expert Ron Faucheux shares his tips and techniques on how to run for office.