Ian Dawson's Blog, page 6
December 1, 2023
Reading Tip of the Week: Planning Ahead for 2024
January 1, 2024, is only one month away, and it got me thinking about my reading goals for the coming year. Even if you are still working on your 2023 reading list, you can still look ahead and create a basic game plan about tackling next year’s reading goal.
Let’s talk about it!
Why Have a Plan?
I used to read whatever I wanted and as many or as few books as I felt like each year. But when I started setting a yearly reading goal, reading became a goal-oriented activity. It was a great way to turn off the TV and open a book since I had a set number of books I wanted to read in a year.
A reading plan can also help you stay focused and create a basic schedule to help you reach your chosen reading goal.
How Many Books?
If you’ve never set a reading goal, start with 12 books for the year. That’s one a month, which should be reasonably manageable. If you’re an avid reader like myself, you can double that.
I’ve seen people posting their completed 2023 reading goals on social media. One woman reached her annual reading of 100 books on November 3, and she's still going!
Start with a basic number, and if you find yourself burning through books faster than you anticipated, you can always change your goal.
In 2022, my goal was 25 books. In 2023, it’s 30. In 2024, I might bump it up to 35 or 40.
Pick an amount you feel comfortable with and know you can reach by the end of the year.
What Books?
Simple answer: Read what you like.
More complex answer: Vary what you read so you don’t get into a monotonous cycle that makes you dread picking up a book.
I like to alternate between fiction and non-fiction, and I also pick a theme for my non-fiction and stick to it throughout the year.
For example, in 2020, I read several non-fiction books about pandemics and plagues throughout history. In 2021, I read about world history. In 2022, I’ve been focused on biographies about actors and actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood. This year, there have been many motivational books about goal-setting and planning.
And in between, I read fiction.
Now, you can spin the wheel and choose what books to read and in what order at random, or you can plan out what you’ll read and when you plan to read it.
Another thing you can do is plan to read a book series. I read the five Game of Thrones books in 2022 and 2023, and I plan to read The Lord of the Rings trilogy again in 2024.
What About Page Count?
After I read a 900-page biography, I’m not ready to dive into another entry in the Game of Thrones series. I’ll usually grab a shorter book from my shelf or on my Kindle and burn through that before I start another long book.
Variety is a crucial factor in keeping your reading momentum going. If you read one of your kid’s books, count it. Reading is reading; any book you read can count toward your goal total. This includes reading plays, screenplays, comic books, and graphic novels.
Where Can I Keep Track?
You can use several sites and apps to track and record your progress. I use Goodreads.com, but apps like StoryGraph or Bookly also work.
Find a site or app that you like and stick with it. Then, work toward your 2024 reading goal, knowing that you now have the power to keep yourself accountable throughout the year.
Final Thoughts
It’s never too early to start thinking about your goals for 2024. By setting a target reading goal and mapping out what you want to read, you can set yourself up for reading success in 2024 and be even more prepared for 2025!
Happy Planning and Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
Let’s talk about it!
Why Have a Plan?
I used to read whatever I wanted and as many or as few books as I felt like each year. But when I started setting a yearly reading goal, reading became a goal-oriented activity. It was a great way to turn off the TV and open a book since I had a set number of books I wanted to read in a year.
A reading plan can also help you stay focused and create a basic schedule to help you reach your chosen reading goal.
How Many Books?
If you’ve never set a reading goal, start with 12 books for the year. That’s one a month, which should be reasonably manageable. If you’re an avid reader like myself, you can double that.
I’ve seen people posting their completed 2023 reading goals on social media. One woman reached her annual reading of 100 books on November 3, and she's still going!
Start with a basic number, and if you find yourself burning through books faster than you anticipated, you can always change your goal.
In 2022, my goal was 25 books. In 2023, it’s 30. In 2024, I might bump it up to 35 or 40.
Pick an amount you feel comfortable with and know you can reach by the end of the year.
What Books?
Simple answer: Read what you like.
More complex answer: Vary what you read so you don’t get into a monotonous cycle that makes you dread picking up a book.
I like to alternate between fiction and non-fiction, and I also pick a theme for my non-fiction and stick to it throughout the year.
For example, in 2020, I read several non-fiction books about pandemics and plagues throughout history. In 2021, I read about world history. In 2022, I’ve been focused on biographies about actors and actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood. This year, there have been many motivational books about goal-setting and planning.
And in between, I read fiction.
Now, you can spin the wheel and choose what books to read and in what order at random, or you can plan out what you’ll read and when you plan to read it.
Another thing you can do is plan to read a book series. I read the five Game of Thrones books in 2022 and 2023, and I plan to read The Lord of the Rings trilogy again in 2024.
What About Page Count?
After I read a 900-page biography, I’m not ready to dive into another entry in the Game of Thrones series. I’ll usually grab a shorter book from my shelf or on my Kindle and burn through that before I start another long book.
Variety is a crucial factor in keeping your reading momentum going. If you read one of your kid’s books, count it. Reading is reading; any book you read can count toward your goal total. This includes reading plays, screenplays, comic books, and graphic novels.
Where Can I Keep Track?
You can use several sites and apps to track and record your progress. I use Goodreads.com, but apps like StoryGraph or Bookly also work.
Find a site or app that you like and stick with it. Then, work toward your 2024 reading goal, knowing that you now have the power to keep yourself accountable throughout the year.
Final Thoughts
It’s never too early to start thinking about your goals for 2024. By setting a target reading goal and mapping out what you want to read, you can set yourself up for reading success in 2024 and be even more prepared for 2025!
Happy Planning and Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
November 27, 2023
Writing Motivation Mondays: The Tao of Creativity, Part Three
We all have a desire to learn new things. It’s in our nature to seek out new information, to find out how things work, and to learn the process used to create works of art. Often, we can get trapped in a cycle of learning about something we want to do instead of actually doing it, which ties into our Tao of Pooh topic for today: Knowledge versus Experience.
In this post, I’ll be using cooking as the primary example for each point.
It’s Harder Than It Looks…At First
“[S]ometimes the knowledge of the scholar is a bit hard to understand because it doesn’t seem to match up with our own experience of things” (29).
It’s easy for us to see an expert like Julia Child and be perplexed about how easy she makes cooking seem. We don’t see the thousands of hours Child took to make her craft appear effortless before the cameras.
When we start out on a new endeavor, a part of us believes that we will achieve expert status as soon as we dive in, which is almost never the case. We can become frustrated by this notion; we should be able to cook as well as Julia, she makes it seem so easy. But her years of experience and many failed attempts have made her the expert and cooking legend she has become.
Over time, you can achieve expert status in whatever you’re hoping to achieve. The key is to release yourself from the disillusionment of perfectionism and allow for trial and error, failure, and less-than-stellar moments to occur. From those moments, you gain insight. Insight produces hands-on knowledge. And that hands-on knowledge gives you the expertise you need to become a master of your chosen craft.
Book Smart or Street Smart?
“Knowledge and Experience do not necessarily speak the same language” (29).
Being interested in a topic inevitably leads us to want to learn more about it. We can do this by reading books, articles, blog posts, or watching YouTube videos. No matter what your interest, you can find information about it. The more you learn, the more you either become excited about it or realize you were just curious in the moment.
Let’s say you are fascinated by the art of cooking, and you begin to read about it, watch videos about it, and binge every Food Network series you can find to learn everything you can about cooking. You’ve read Julia Child’s books cover-to-cover, but there’s one thing you haven’t done: cooked anything.
Knowledge of cooking, whether it’s terminology, recipes, food facts, etc., doesn’t make you an expert chef. Watching thousands of hours of Food Network shows and reading cookbooks won’t make you any better at cooking a delicious meal.
What does matter is your experience with cooking. Taking the time, the effort, the patience, and the action of doing it for yourself.
The quote speaks to this since knowing about something doesn’t equally translate into the experience of actually doing it. Reading and knowing how to prepare the 7-course meal is a far cry from the experience of making it yourself.
Time to Get Your Hands Dirty!
“But isn’t the knowledge that comes from experience more valuable than the knowledge that doesn’t?” (29).
The very thought of getting off the couch and instead of watching people cook, actually cooking, can be a scary concept for many. After all, what if you aren’t perfect that first time? What if what you made is burnt? Or undercooked? Or it tastes too salty?
Watching experts at a craft can be intimidating. But what we’re seeing is the outcome from years and decades of experience, trial and error, failures and successes. It’s important to keep that in mind as you watch masters of their craft engage in what they do. They weren’t always at this level of culinary expertise. They weren’t always ready to cook in front of the camera. They started at level zero and worked their way up the expertise elevator.
You can, too. Think about it. If Julia Child had only read about French cooking instead of going through the experience to learn how to do it, would we know her name all these decades later? I would say no, we wouldn’t. But because she applied what she did learn and had the experience of cooking French food, we do.
And as I said before, I guarantee that Julia Child experienced many setbacks and failures along the way in her cooking career. But she persisted. She used those failures as part of the experience and moved forward, not looking back and wallowing in self-pity or frustration over a burnt souffle or a poorly made dish.
As you actively pursue cooking, you’ll notice something about the process and about your skills: it gets easier. True, challenges will always pop up, but you’ll have hands-on experience to rely on that will help you become a better chef in the long run. Sitting and watching won’t achieve that goal; in fact, it only prevents you from reaching your ultimate goal of knowing how to cook.
Final Thoughts
We all have a creative interest in our lives that we either wish to pursue or have and run away from after a failed attempt. Maybe you’re fascinated by sculpting and read dozens of books about it. You are a human library about the sculpting process, famous sculptors, and the art form's history. So, what’s stopping you from getting some clay and trying your hand at it?
The next time you pick up another book about something you want to do, think about how you can actually pursue your dream of actively doing it. You’ll never know how great you can be at something until you actually try it for yourself!
Happy Creating, and I’ll see you next week!
In this post, I’ll be using cooking as the primary example for each point.
It’s Harder Than It Looks…At First
“[S]ometimes the knowledge of the scholar is a bit hard to understand because it doesn’t seem to match up with our own experience of things” (29).
It’s easy for us to see an expert like Julia Child and be perplexed about how easy she makes cooking seem. We don’t see the thousands of hours Child took to make her craft appear effortless before the cameras.
When we start out on a new endeavor, a part of us believes that we will achieve expert status as soon as we dive in, which is almost never the case. We can become frustrated by this notion; we should be able to cook as well as Julia, she makes it seem so easy. But her years of experience and many failed attempts have made her the expert and cooking legend she has become.
Over time, you can achieve expert status in whatever you’re hoping to achieve. The key is to release yourself from the disillusionment of perfectionism and allow for trial and error, failure, and less-than-stellar moments to occur. From those moments, you gain insight. Insight produces hands-on knowledge. And that hands-on knowledge gives you the expertise you need to become a master of your chosen craft.
Book Smart or Street Smart?
“Knowledge and Experience do not necessarily speak the same language” (29).
Being interested in a topic inevitably leads us to want to learn more about it. We can do this by reading books, articles, blog posts, or watching YouTube videos. No matter what your interest, you can find information about it. The more you learn, the more you either become excited about it or realize you were just curious in the moment.
Let’s say you are fascinated by the art of cooking, and you begin to read about it, watch videos about it, and binge every Food Network series you can find to learn everything you can about cooking. You’ve read Julia Child’s books cover-to-cover, but there’s one thing you haven’t done: cooked anything.
Knowledge of cooking, whether it’s terminology, recipes, food facts, etc., doesn’t make you an expert chef. Watching thousands of hours of Food Network shows and reading cookbooks won’t make you any better at cooking a delicious meal.
What does matter is your experience with cooking. Taking the time, the effort, the patience, and the action of doing it for yourself.
The quote speaks to this since knowing about something doesn’t equally translate into the experience of actually doing it. Reading and knowing how to prepare the 7-course meal is a far cry from the experience of making it yourself.
Time to Get Your Hands Dirty!
“But isn’t the knowledge that comes from experience more valuable than the knowledge that doesn’t?” (29).
The very thought of getting off the couch and instead of watching people cook, actually cooking, can be a scary concept for many. After all, what if you aren’t perfect that first time? What if what you made is burnt? Or undercooked? Or it tastes too salty?
Watching experts at a craft can be intimidating. But what we’re seeing is the outcome from years and decades of experience, trial and error, failures and successes. It’s important to keep that in mind as you watch masters of their craft engage in what they do. They weren’t always at this level of culinary expertise. They weren’t always ready to cook in front of the camera. They started at level zero and worked their way up the expertise elevator.
You can, too. Think about it. If Julia Child had only read about French cooking instead of going through the experience to learn how to do it, would we know her name all these decades later? I would say no, we wouldn’t. But because she applied what she did learn and had the experience of cooking French food, we do.
And as I said before, I guarantee that Julia Child experienced many setbacks and failures along the way in her cooking career. But she persisted. She used those failures as part of the experience and moved forward, not looking back and wallowing in self-pity or frustration over a burnt souffle or a poorly made dish.
As you actively pursue cooking, you’ll notice something about the process and about your skills: it gets easier. True, challenges will always pop up, but you’ll have hands-on experience to rely on that will help you become a better chef in the long run. Sitting and watching won’t achieve that goal; in fact, it only prevents you from reaching your ultimate goal of knowing how to cook.
Final Thoughts
We all have a creative interest in our lives that we either wish to pursue or have and run away from after a failed attempt. Maybe you’re fascinated by sculpting and read dozens of books about it. You are a human library about the sculpting process, famous sculptors, and the art form's history. So, what’s stopping you from getting some clay and trying your hand at it?
The next time you pick up another book about something you want to do, think about how you can actually pursue your dream of actively doing it. You’ll never know how great you can be at something until you actually try it for yourself!
Happy Creating, and I’ll see you next week!
November 20, 2023
Writing Motivation Mondays: The Tao of Creativity, Part Two
Last Monday, we discussed transforming negativity into positive, creative energy. We looked at how to use our creativity to escape the world's negativity and explored a different perspective on writer’s block.
Today, we’ll continue to explore a few more concepts from the book The Tao of Pooh.
Simplicity and Creativity
The creative process works best when we turn off the critical part of our brain and allow thoughts and ideas to flow freely. This taps into the concept from the book about The Uncarved Block. The author states, “The essence of the principle of The Uncarved Block is that things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power” (10).
Brainstorming and creating a new story, work of art, or dance is best achieved when we go back to basics and create for the sake of creating. This is a time of fun, experimenting, and freedom since we are giving ourselves the power to create.
By giving our creativity complete control, we can keep negative thoughts and doubts away from the process.
Easier said than done.
The Evil Scourges of Overthinking & Ego
There’s a second part to the quote above: “The essence of the principle of The Uncarved Block is that things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, power that is easily spoiled and lost when the simplicity is changed” (10). And what can alter that simplicity and affect our power to create?
Overthinking.
Yes, overthinking can cause a fun and energized creative event to grow sluggish, frustrating, and even stop altogether. This barrier can very effectively cause a person’s creative process to be “spoiled or lost” thanks to its intrusion into their minds.
This scourge can come in the form of second-guessing oneself or doubts, but it can also be caused by one’s pride or ego. It’s okay to be proud of your work, but being narcissistic can blind you to feedback and ways to make your work better.
Both have no place in the creative process. While I’m sure most of us aren’t arrogant or egotistical about our work, many of us overthink ourselves into creative paralysis.
Fighting Back
When in doubt, write it out. It’s a silly rhyme, but it does help to write through your thoughts and feelings to push through the overthinking blockade. What’s causing you to overthink? Where in the creative process does the overthinking popup?
You could have an Overthinking Journal where you sit and write down your counterproductive overthinking thoughts; then, you can jump back into the creative process. Give yourself 15 minutes to get it all out on paper, then move on.
Heck, make it symbolic and write your thoughts down, then rip up the paper or shred it. This physical act of destroying your overthinking may do wonders to get you back on track and show yourself that you have the power in this situation.
This links to another point made in The Tao of Pooh: “When you discard arrogance, complexity, and a few other things that get in the way, sooner or later you will discover that simple, childlike, and mysterious secret known to those of the Uncarved Block: Life is Fun” (20). By taking the time to productively eliminate the negative things preventing you from being creative, you’ll quickly discover that the process is fun and enjoyable (which it should be).
Getting Back to Basics
The creative process can be complicated, and that’s okay. Once you get into the heart and soul of what you’re creating, you’ll want to be more mindful of the final product.
But initially, you want your imagination and creativity to be free, untethered to run wherever your thoughts and ideas wish to take you. Not all ideas may work, but you’re not concerned about that at this stage. Your goal at this stage is to enjoy the process.
“From the state of the Uncarved Block comes the ability to enjoy the simple and the quiet, the natural and the plain. Along with that comes the ability to do things spontaneously and have them work, odd as that may appear to others at times” (21). The creative mind is a mysterious and powerful entity. Left to its own devices, it can deliver stories, works of art, or choreography that elevate an artist’s skill and confidence in their craft.
It all starts by stripping away the negative, the critical, the egotistical, and the overthinking and just allowing yourself to create and be in that basic space.
This week, give yourself permission to create. No barriers. No restrictions. No censoring. Just creation. You’ll be amazed at what happens.
Happy Creating, and I’ll see you next Monday!
Today, we’ll continue to explore a few more concepts from the book The Tao of Pooh.
Simplicity and Creativity
The creative process works best when we turn off the critical part of our brain and allow thoughts and ideas to flow freely. This taps into the concept from the book about The Uncarved Block. The author states, “The essence of the principle of The Uncarved Block is that things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power” (10).
Brainstorming and creating a new story, work of art, or dance is best achieved when we go back to basics and create for the sake of creating. This is a time of fun, experimenting, and freedom since we are giving ourselves the power to create.
By giving our creativity complete control, we can keep negative thoughts and doubts away from the process.
Easier said than done.
The Evil Scourges of Overthinking & Ego
There’s a second part to the quote above: “The essence of the principle of The Uncarved Block is that things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, power that is easily spoiled and lost when the simplicity is changed” (10). And what can alter that simplicity and affect our power to create?
Overthinking.
Yes, overthinking can cause a fun and energized creative event to grow sluggish, frustrating, and even stop altogether. This barrier can very effectively cause a person’s creative process to be “spoiled or lost” thanks to its intrusion into their minds.
This scourge can come in the form of second-guessing oneself or doubts, but it can also be caused by one’s pride or ego. It’s okay to be proud of your work, but being narcissistic can blind you to feedback and ways to make your work better.
Both have no place in the creative process. While I’m sure most of us aren’t arrogant or egotistical about our work, many of us overthink ourselves into creative paralysis.
Fighting Back
When in doubt, write it out. It’s a silly rhyme, but it does help to write through your thoughts and feelings to push through the overthinking blockade. What’s causing you to overthink? Where in the creative process does the overthinking popup?
You could have an Overthinking Journal where you sit and write down your counterproductive overthinking thoughts; then, you can jump back into the creative process. Give yourself 15 minutes to get it all out on paper, then move on.
Heck, make it symbolic and write your thoughts down, then rip up the paper or shred it. This physical act of destroying your overthinking may do wonders to get you back on track and show yourself that you have the power in this situation.
This links to another point made in The Tao of Pooh: “When you discard arrogance, complexity, and a few other things that get in the way, sooner or later you will discover that simple, childlike, and mysterious secret known to those of the Uncarved Block: Life is Fun” (20). By taking the time to productively eliminate the negative things preventing you from being creative, you’ll quickly discover that the process is fun and enjoyable (which it should be).
Getting Back to Basics
The creative process can be complicated, and that’s okay. Once you get into the heart and soul of what you’re creating, you’ll want to be more mindful of the final product.
But initially, you want your imagination and creativity to be free, untethered to run wherever your thoughts and ideas wish to take you. Not all ideas may work, but you’re not concerned about that at this stage. Your goal at this stage is to enjoy the process.
“From the state of the Uncarved Block comes the ability to enjoy the simple and the quiet, the natural and the plain. Along with that comes the ability to do things spontaneously and have them work, odd as that may appear to others at times” (21). The creative mind is a mysterious and powerful entity. Left to its own devices, it can deliver stories, works of art, or choreography that elevate an artist’s skill and confidence in their craft.
It all starts by stripping away the negative, the critical, the egotistical, and the overthinking and just allowing yourself to create and be in that basic space.
This week, give yourself permission to create. No barriers. No restrictions. No censoring. Just creation. You’ll be amazed at what happens.
Happy Creating, and I’ll see you next Monday!
November 13, 2023
Writing Motivation Mondays: The Tao of Creativity, Part One
Last month, I read Benjamin Hoff’s book, The Tao of Pooh, and realized many of the concepts and ideas presented could apply to us as writers and creative individuals. So, after I was done, I went back through the book and pulled some insightful quotes to explore with you from the perspective of being a writer or other artist.
Let’s get started!
Changing Perspective
Early on in the book, Hoff explains, “[T]hrough working in harmony with life’s circumstances, Taoist understanding changes what others may perceive as negative into something positive” (6). In a world where we are constantly bombarded by negativity, hate, and pessimism, it can be a chore to push all that aside, clear our heads, and dwell in a positive and healthy space that enables us to create.
But what if we used those horrible things to our advantage? What if, instead of being a distraction, they were the reason we needed to escape and create? What if we pushed them away and allowed ourselves several hours to write, draw, dance, sculpt, and do what we want to do for the joy of doing it? What if we allowed ourselves to create something good in the world?
The world and its events are ever-present, but you have the power in your personal space to do something for the good of yourself and the enjoyment of others. When we doomscroll the headlines on our phones or listen to the news, it negatively impacts us whether we realize it or not.
Allow yourself to break free from the world's negativity and do something positive through your creativity.
Is it Writer’s Block or Something Better?
In keeping with the theme of the quoted passage above, we can also look at writer’s block from a different perspective. We usually consider it an evil force that prevents us from writing, but what if we considered it a challenge to overcome instead?
Writer’s block always has a root cause, and part of breaking through the block is discovering what that is. So, instead of focusing on the negative, explore the positive aspects of writer’s block. Yes, that’s right, the positive aspects.
What is your writer’s block trying to tell you? The easiest way to find out is to write about it. Writing about the possible causes of your writer’s block can help you find perspective and hopefully assist in getting you through the block and back to your writing.
Is the block caused by fear? Caused by a story problem? Caused by outside forces? How can you spin those into positive and productive actions that will get you back to writing?
The key here isn’t to fight against writer’s block. As the quote says, we want to be “working in harmony with life’s circumstances,” which means finding ways to positively address and overcome the block so you can move forward with your creative process.
Take the time to explore the possibilities and find a positive solution to the problem. You’ll be back into your story in no time!
Final Thoughts
It can be tough to find the good and positive in the world today, but as creative people, we must take a step back and allow ourselves the ability and opportunity to do what we enjoy. Turn the negative news into the motivation you need to escape into a positive and productive work environment. Permit yourself to take a break from the real world and indulge in the creative process you need for your sanity and mental health.
By giving in to writer’s block and exploring its causes, you can begin to break through and get back to writing sooner. Allow yourself to positively push back at this force of negativity, and see how quickly you can climb over this obstacle to creativity.
Happy Writing and Creating, and I’ll see you next time!
Let’s get started!
Changing Perspective
Early on in the book, Hoff explains, “[T]hrough working in harmony with life’s circumstances, Taoist understanding changes what others may perceive as negative into something positive” (6). In a world where we are constantly bombarded by negativity, hate, and pessimism, it can be a chore to push all that aside, clear our heads, and dwell in a positive and healthy space that enables us to create.
But what if we used those horrible things to our advantage? What if, instead of being a distraction, they were the reason we needed to escape and create? What if we pushed them away and allowed ourselves several hours to write, draw, dance, sculpt, and do what we want to do for the joy of doing it? What if we allowed ourselves to create something good in the world?
The world and its events are ever-present, but you have the power in your personal space to do something for the good of yourself and the enjoyment of others. When we doomscroll the headlines on our phones or listen to the news, it negatively impacts us whether we realize it or not.
Allow yourself to break free from the world's negativity and do something positive through your creativity.
Is it Writer’s Block or Something Better?
In keeping with the theme of the quoted passage above, we can also look at writer’s block from a different perspective. We usually consider it an evil force that prevents us from writing, but what if we considered it a challenge to overcome instead?
Writer’s block always has a root cause, and part of breaking through the block is discovering what that is. So, instead of focusing on the negative, explore the positive aspects of writer’s block. Yes, that’s right, the positive aspects.
What is your writer’s block trying to tell you? The easiest way to find out is to write about it. Writing about the possible causes of your writer’s block can help you find perspective and hopefully assist in getting you through the block and back to your writing.
Is the block caused by fear? Caused by a story problem? Caused by outside forces? How can you spin those into positive and productive actions that will get you back to writing?
The key here isn’t to fight against writer’s block. As the quote says, we want to be “working in harmony with life’s circumstances,” which means finding ways to positively address and overcome the block so you can move forward with your creative process.
Take the time to explore the possibilities and find a positive solution to the problem. You’ll be back into your story in no time!
Final Thoughts
It can be tough to find the good and positive in the world today, but as creative people, we must take a step back and allow ourselves the ability and opportunity to do what we enjoy. Turn the negative news into the motivation you need to escape into a positive and productive work environment. Permit yourself to take a break from the real world and indulge in the creative process you need for your sanity and mental health.
By giving in to writer’s block and exploring its causes, you can begin to break through and get back to writing sooner. Allow yourself to positively push back at this force of negativity, and see how quickly you can climb over this obstacle to creativity.
Happy Writing and Creating, and I’ll see you next time!
November 7, 2023
Now Available: The Sexual Misadventures of Alicia Williams, Alpha Female by Ian Dawson
Available now!
Get the eBook or Audiobook of The Sexual Misadventures of Alicia Williams, Alpha Female by Ian Dawson at the link below!
https://iandawsonfiction.com/book/the...
Remember to Buy, Read or Listen, and Review!
Get the eBook or Audiobook of The Sexual Misadventures of Alicia Williams, Alpha Female by Ian Dawson at the link below!
https://iandawsonfiction.com/book/the...
Remember to Buy, Read or Listen, and Review!
November 6, 2023
Starting Next Monday: The Tao of Creativity Series
I recently read the insightful book, The Tao of Pooh: The Principles of Taoism Demonstrated by Winnie-the-Pooh by Benjamin Hoff, and many of the concepts discussed can apply to writing and the creative process.
Starting next Monday, I’d like to explore these elements with you to help all of us become better writers and creative people. There’s no need to convert or join a new religion; these ideas are universal and can help anyone on their creative journey.
I look forward to getting started!
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
Starting next Monday, I’d like to explore these elements with you to help all of us become better writers and creative people. There’s no need to convert or join a new religion; these ideas are universal and can help anyone on their creative journey.
I look forward to getting started!
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
October 30, 2023
Writing Tip of the Week: Chapter Experimentation
Writing a novel can sometimes feel like constructing a 50,000-piece puzzle. All the elements are laid out before you, but the challenge to assemble and finish it can seem like a monumental task. Even when you think pieces are coming together, you can quickly realize that a cluster of pieces doesn’t fit how you thought they would.
You might come across this problem while writing. You’re working on a chapter, but something isn’t working. The pieces of your chapter aren’t melding together the way you want them to.
Today, we’ll discuss this problem, how to work through it, and ways to help improve the chapter and get you moving forward.
Let’s talk about it!
What’s the Point?
When you realize a chapter has a problem, take a step back and ask yourself what the intent of the chapter is. Does the chapter introduce or add to a current conflict or storyline? Does it enhance the reader’s knowledge about the characters? Does the chapter set up or pay off story elements? Is the reader learning anything new that will help them understand the characters or conflict?
Knowing why a chapter is in your story will also help you decide if it’s necessary. If you can’t answer the basics as to why the chapter is needed, then you may want to consider cutting it. This is especially true if the chapter adds nothing to the story, doesn’t move the plot or characters forward, and doesn’t enhance the conflict.
Yes, cutting whole chapters that you may have worked hard to finish can be a challenge. But if they don’t add to your story, they aren’t worth keeping in the book.
Switching Characters
Let’s say that the chapter adds to the conflict and gives the reader some insight into the main character, but the chapter is flat and uninteresting. It might be time to recast the chapter.
Who is currently with your main character? Is it someone who adds life to the chapter? Who else is available in your cast of characters that can help elevate your main character, the conflict, and help move the story forward?
The trick is to find the right combination of characters to pair together that will help keep the momentum going. Maybe they have a run-in with the antagonist. Perhaps the person they are with challenges the main character about their views or opinions, leading to external and internal conflict for the hero.
The trick to this is twofold:
1) There needs to be a logic behind why these characters are together.
2) Once you’ve locked them into this chapter, you must ensure their pairing isn’t forgotten. Whatever happens in this chapter isn’t happening in a vacuum, which means you’ll have to decide if this interaction between your chosen characters changes their relationship and how it will impact the story going forward.
Experiment with swapping out different characters and seeing which works best for the chapter.
Changing the Location
Once you decide on the characters, look at the setting. Are they at home? Are they at the grocery store? Are they on a walk down a quiet pathway in the forest? Choosing a better location for a chapter to take place can also give you more insight into your characters and provide possibilities for smaller conflicts.
Ideally, you want to pick a location that logically works within the confines of your story. Experiment with different locations and see what works best to keep the storyline moving forward and keep readers engaged.
What are They Doing?
If your characters are human, standing in the middle of a location and speaking to each other would be pretty dull. They should be actively doing something while the chapter unfolds. Even if the activity doesn’t have any bearing on the overarching conflict, you can use the setting and what can be done at the setting to your advantage by giving the characters something to do.
You could have them playing a board game together if they are at home. If they are out and about, maybe playing pool, at the batting cages, or any other location where interaction is necessary. You can even play against this by having them in a library arguing while trying to stay quiet.
It’s important to give readers characters who act human and do realistic things. Even if they are bad at the activity, it’s better than just standing and talking to each other.
What’s Next?
As I said before, this chapter doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Your characters came from one place and will head off to another once this chapter – or series of chapters – is over. If this chapter changes things going forward in the story for the positive, that’s great. It’s okay to rework your story to make it better.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found myself doing this exercise more than once to get the characters, setting, and activity just right for the story's sake. Yes, it can be cumbersome and frustrating at times, and sometimes, after all that work, you’ll decide the chapter isn’t needed. But that’s all part of the writing process. Embrace its chaos and challenges.
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
You might come across this problem while writing. You’re working on a chapter, but something isn’t working. The pieces of your chapter aren’t melding together the way you want them to.
Today, we’ll discuss this problem, how to work through it, and ways to help improve the chapter and get you moving forward.
Let’s talk about it!
What’s the Point?
When you realize a chapter has a problem, take a step back and ask yourself what the intent of the chapter is. Does the chapter introduce or add to a current conflict or storyline? Does it enhance the reader’s knowledge about the characters? Does the chapter set up or pay off story elements? Is the reader learning anything new that will help them understand the characters or conflict?
Knowing why a chapter is in your story will also help you decide if it’s necessary. If you can’t answer the basics as to why the chapter is needed, then you may want to consider cutting it. This is especially true if the chapter adds nothing to the story, doesn’t move the plot or characters forward, and doesn’t enhance the conflict.
Yes, cutting whole chapters that you may have worked hard to finish can be a challenge. But if they don’t add to your story, they aren’t worth keeping in the book.
Switching Characters
Let’s say that the chapter adds to the conflict and gives the reader some insight into the main character, but the chapter is flat and uninteresting. It might be time to recast the chapter.
Who is currently with your main character? Is it someone who adds life to the chapter? Who else is available in your cast of characters that can help elevate your main character, the conflict, and help move the story forward?
The trick is to find the right combination of characters to pair together that will help keep the momentum going. Maybe they have a run-in with the antagonist. Perhaps the person they are with challenges the main character about their views or opinions, leading to external and internal conflict for the hero.
The trick to this is twofold:
1) There needs to be a logic behind why these characters are together.
2) Once you’ve locked them into this chapter, you must ensure their pairing isn’t forgotten. Whatever happens in this chapter isn’t happening in a vacuum, which means you’ll have to decide if this interaction between your chosen characters changes their relationship and how it will impact the story going forward.
Experiment with swapping out different characters and seeing which works best for the chapter.
Changing the Location
Once you decide on the characters, look at the setting. Are they at home? Are they at the grocery store? Are they on a walk down a quiet pathway in the forest? Choosing a better location for a chapter to take place can also give you more insight into your characters and provide possibilities for smaller conflicts.
Ideally, you want to pick a location that logically works within the confines of your story. Experiment with different locations and see what works best to keep the storyline moving forward and keep readers engaged.
What are They Doing?
If your characters are human, standing in the middle of a location and speaking to each other would be pretty dull. They should be actively doing something while the chapter unfolds. Even if the activity doesn’t have any bearing on the overarching conflict, you can use the setting and what can be done at the setting to your advantage by giving the characters something to do.
You could have them playing a board game together if they are at home. If they are out and about, maybe playing pool, at the batting cages, or any other location where interaction is necessary. You can even play against this by having them in a library arguing while trying to stay quiet.
It’s important to give readers characters who act human and do realistic things. Even if they are bad at the activity, it’s better than just standing and talking to each other.
What’s Next?
As I said before, this chapter doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Your characters came from one place and will head off to another once this chapter – or series of chapters – is over. If this chapter changes things going forward in the story for the positive, that’s great. It’s okay to rework your story to make it better.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found myself doing this exercise more than once to get the characters, setting, and activity just right for the story's sake. Yes, it can be cumbersome and frustrating at times, and sometimes, after all that work, you’ll decide the chapter isn’t needed. But that’s all part of the writing process. Embrace its chaos and challenges.
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
October 23, 2023
Writing Tip of the Week: Beware Analysis Paralysis
It can creep up on you without you ever knowing. Its toxic presence can lead to a sense of hopelessness, resignation, and defeat. We’ve all experienced it at one time or another, and it’s a problem that can easily affect anyone if they’re not careful.
It is Analysis Paralysis.
When we decide to take on a new project or endeavor, it is logical that we want to learn more about this new topic or interest. That’s 100% fine and makes total sense. If you want to write a screenplay and haven’t before, the logical next step is to learn how to write a screenplay. Sounds simple enough.
Until it becomes a problem.
The problem with learning how to write a screenplay is when you lead yourself down a rabbit hole of not just learning the basics of screenwriting but delving into the thousands of books, seminars, and YouTube videos about the process. So, instead of writing, you’re absorbing dozens of different processes about the right and wrong ways to write a script.
**SIDENOTE: You can learn a lot from books and videos on any topic, so I’m not discrediting them. However, these sources should be referenced once you start the endeavor instead of preventing you from beginning.**
Inevitably, this oversaturation of information can become overwhelming, and it can lead you from even starting to write your script to being afraid not only to start but the terror of doing it wrong.
This can happen so quickly to us, especially in the “information age,” that it can cause you to want to give up and walk away from what you wanted to do. I recently ran into this situation when I decided to market my new novel. Every marketing guru seems to have their best-seller formula, and many contradict each other on how to go about it.
This, of course, is frustrating and led me to write this post. So, let’s talk about ways to combat the evils of Analysis Paralysis.
If There Are Many Roads, Pick One
When it comes to anything you want to do or try in 2023, dozens, hundreds, even thousands of people believe they know the right way to do it. This can be intimidating and lead many to give up before they even start.
So, if you want to write a screenplay, find a book or website that provides the basics and use that as a means to an end: to get you writing more and reading about it less. While I do encourage you to read scripts and watch movies, you’ll be further along in your pursuit to write your screenplay if you begin the writing process yourself.
This can be with anything. Want to cook? Great! Find a cookbook you like and make the recipes inside. Want to take up distance running? Great! Find a book or website about it and try out the methodology presented.
If the first path doesn’t work, try another one. Keep working through the different methods until you find one that works. The key here is to try one method at a time instead of getting overwhelmed by many methods simultaneously.
Shut Out the Noise
Have you ever noticed that when you decide to do something, everyone around you is suddenly an expert in that thing? And, like real experts, all those people think their opinion and view is the best. And most of the time, these “helpful” friends and family have plenty to say, and it’s usually negative and counterproductive.
Ignore them.
Listening to the opinions of those around you can also lead to Analysis Paralysis. They may have your best interest in mind, but their opinions should not influence your final decision.
If you want to write, paint, sculpt, start a podcast, learn to cook, or do something productive and fun, don’t allow others’ pessimism to impact your goals. It can be easy to overthink what friends and family might think of you if you try something that doesn’t work out initially, but that’s their problem, not yours.
If you want to do it and work at it and make it happen, then ignore the naysayers and keep working toward your goal.
Just Do It
This can be the hardest part of the process, but sometimes you need to get out of your own way and jump in feet first. Even if that first try doesn’t go well, you’ve tried it out and now know if it’s something you want to pursue going forward.
Imagine that you wanted to play the piano, read dozens of books about it, watched hours of video about it, and listened to people tell you about the good and bad of playing the piano. After months of not playing, you finally schedule a lesson, sit down…and hate it.
When you cut out the over-analysis, you can quickly see if what you’re interested in is something you genuinely want to pursue. This also reduces the fear of trying new things and can help you decide if this new endeavor is worth your time.
Analysis Paralysis and Fear
Fear of the unknown is a common factor that prevents us from trying new things. Our brains have this evil way of talking us out of pursuing new activities and goals, giving us doubts and worst-case scenarios instead of encouragement and excitement.
Most of the time, our mind stops us from doing things that aren’t dangerous, things that would probably make us happier and more productive if we did attempt them. This is why pushing aside this negative voice and doing the activity is the best action to take.
It’s easy to be intimidated from writing your first novel when you measure yourself against an author like Stephen King, but even King had to overcome his fears and keep writing. Allow yourself to accept the fear but pursue the creative goal anyway.
Final Thoughts
Everyone has creative goals. Whether or not they take the steps to achieve them is another story. It’s easy to get bogged down in learning about something we want to do instead of doing it. Allowing experts, our fears, and even the opinions of those closest to us to prevent us from moving forward.
While it’s easy to get trapped in the cycle of Analysis Paralysis, it’s crucial to find ways to fight against it, push through it, and get to the next step of actually doing what we want to do.
Happy Creating, and I’ll see you next time!
It is Analysis Paralysis.
When we decide to take on a new project or endeavor, it is logical that we want to learn more about this new topic or interest. That’s 100% fine and makes total sense. If you want to write a screenplay and haven’t before, the logical next step is to learn how to write a screenplay. Sounds simple enough.
Until it becomes a problem.
The problem with learning how to write a screenplay is when you lead yourself down a rabbit hole of not just learning the basics of screenwriting but delving into the thousands of books, seminars, and YouTube videos about the process. So, instead of writing, you’re absorbing dozens of different processes about the right and wrong ways to write a script.
**SIDENOTE: You can learn a lot from books and videos on any topic, so I’m not discrediting them. However, these sources should be referenced once you start the endeavor instead of preventing you from beginning.**
Inevitably, this oversaturation of information can become overwhelming, and it can lead you from even starting to write your script to being afraid not only to start but the terror of doing it wrong.
This can happen so quickly to us, especially in the “information age,” that it can cause you to want to give up and walk away from what you wanted to do. I recently ran into this situation when I decided to market my new novel. Every marketing guru seems to have their best-seller formula, and many contradict each other on how to go about it.
This, of course, is frustrating and led me to write this post. So, let’s talk about ways to combat the evils of Analysis Paralysis.
If There Are Many Roads, Pick One
When it comes to anything you want to do or try in 2023, dozens, hundreds, even thousands of people believe they know the right way to do it. This can be intimidating and lead many to give up before they even start.
So, if you want to write a screenplay, find a book or website that provides the basics and use that as a means to an end: to get you writing more and reading about it less. While I do encourage you to read scripts and watch movies, you’ll be further along in your pursuit to write your screenplay if you begin the writing process yourself.
This can be with anything. Want to cook? Great! Find a cookbook you like and make the recipes inside. Want to take up distance running? Great! Find a book or website about it and try out the methodology presented.
If the first path doesn’t work, try another one. Keep working through the different methods until you find one that works. The key here is to try one method at a time instead of getting overwhelmed by many methods simultaneously.
Shut Out the Noise
Have you ever noticed that when you decide to do something, everyone around you is suddenly an expert in that thing? And, like real experts, all those people think their opinion and view is the best. And most of the time, these “helpful” friends and family have plenty to say, and it’s usually negative and counterproductive.
Ignore them.
Listening to the opinions of those around you can also lead to Analysis Paralysis. They may have your best interest in mind, but their opinions should not influence your final decision.
If you want to write, paint, sculpt, start a podcast, learn to cook, or do something productive and fun, don’t allow others’ pessimism to impact your goals. It can be easy to overthink what friends and family might think of you if you try something that doesn’t work out initially, but that’s their problem, not yours.
If you want to do it and work at it and make it happen, then ignore the naysayers and keep working toward your goal.
Just Do It
This can be the hardest part of the process, but sometimes you need to get out of your own way and jump in feet first. Even if that first try doesn’t go well, you’ve tried it out and now know if it’s something you want to pursue going forward.
Imagine that you wanted to play the piano, read dozens of books about it, watched hours of video about it, and listened to people tell you about the good and bad of playing the piano. After months of not playing, you finally schedule a lesson, sit down…and hate it.
When you cut out the over-analysis, you can quickly see if what you’re interested in is something you genuinely want to pursue. This also reduces the fear of trying new things and can help you decide if this new endeavor is worth your time.
Analysis Paralysis and Fear
Fear of the unknown is a common factor that prevents us from trying new things. Our brains have this evil way of talking us out of pursuing new activities and goals, giving us doubts and worst-case scenarios instead of encouragement and excitement.
Most of the time, our mind stops us from doing things that aren’t dangerous, things that would probably make us happier and more productive if we did attempt them. This is why pushing aside this negative voice and doing the activity is the best action to take.
It’s easy to be intimidated from writing your first novel when you measure yourself against an author like Stephen King, but even King had to overcome his fears and keep writing. Allow yourself to accept the fear but pursue the creative goal anyway.
Final Thoughts
Everyone has creative goals. Whether or not they take the steps to achieve them is another story. It’s easy to get bogged down in learning about something we want to do instead of doing it. Allowing experts, our fears, and even the opinions of those closest to us to prevent us from moving forward.
While it’s easy to get trapped in the cycle of Analysis Paralysis, it’s crucial to find ways to fight against it, push through it, and get to the next step of actually doing what we want to do.
Happy Creating, and I’ll see you next time!
October 17, 2023
Coming in November: The Sexual Misadventures of Alicia Williams, Alpha Female by Ian Dawson!
Last week, I announced the title page of my new sex comedy, The Sexual Misadventures of Alicia Williams, Alpha Female. Check out the blurb you’ll also find with the cover on my new website, www.iandawsonfiction.com.
What’s it About?
She’s sick of second-rate sex. He’s over his routine relationship. When they come together, can they solve each other’s problems?
Alicia Williams loves sex and knows what she wants. After another horrible hook-up, she’s determined to find a guy who gives her the toe-curling, bed-breaking, multiple-orgasm-having experience she craves. But the strong-willed project manager meets her match in a man who may be the cure to her lackluster love life.
Mitch Kessler is tired of his friends-with-benefits relationship. Meeting Alicia, he realizes someone exciting and challenging is what he needs to make life interesting. But when his current entanglement refuses to go, the program director has to choose between keeping the peace or exploring the possibilities with Alicia.
As Alicia falls for Mitch, one of her past lovers threatens to reveal a secret from Mitch’s past that could end it all. And while Mitch is ready to see where things go with Alicia, choosing her may cost him his career.
Will Alicia finally break her cycle of bad dates and sexual mediocrity?
The Sexual Misadventures of Alicia Williams, Alpha Female, is a fast-paced R-rated rom-com novel. If you like strong female characters, sexual situations, and profanity, then you’ll love Ian Dawson’s comedic story.
The Disclaimer
The Sexual Misadventures of Alicia Williams, Alpha Female, contains sexual content and profanity.
Reader discretion is advised.
Final Thoughts
I’m currently finalizing the audiobook and eBook, and I’m excited to let you know more soon!
What’s it About?
She’s sick of second-rate sex. He’s over his routine relationship. When they come together, can they solve each other’s problems?
Alicia Williams loves sex and knows what she wants. After another horrible hook-up, she’s determined to find a guy who gives her the toe-curling, bed-breaking, multiple-orgasm-having experience she craves. But the strong-willed project manager meets her match in a man who may be the cure to her lackluster love life.
Mitch Kessler is tired of his friends-with-benefits relationship. Meeting Alicia, he realizes someone exciting and challenging is what he needs to make life interesting. But when his current entanglement refuses to go, the program director has to choose between keeping the peace or exploring the possibilities with Alicia.
As Alicia falls for Mitch, one of her past lovers threatens to reveal a secret from Mitch’s past that could end it all. And while Mitch is ready to see where things go with Alicia, choosing her may cost him his career.
Will Alicia finally break her cycle of bad dates and sexual mediocrity?
The Sexual Misadventures of Alicia Williams, Alpha Female, is a fast-paced R-rated rom-com novel. If you like strong female characters, sexual situations, and profanity, then you’ll love Ian Dawson’s comedic story.
The Disclaimer
The Sexual Misadventures of Alicia Williams, Alpha Female, contains sexual content and profanity.
Reader discretion is advised.
Final Thoughts
I’m currently finalizing the audiobook and eBook, and I’m excited to let you know more soon!
Today’s the Day! My New Author Website is Here!
I’m excited to announce that my new website, www.iandawsonfiction.com, is now live! Please click on over to explore and subscribe. You’ll find lots of new features and a new layout that’s filled with my novels, blog posts, audio blogs, book reviews, and more.
I’ll be updating content on the new site weekly, so make sure to check back to see what’s new.
A special thanks to Rocket Expansion for their amazing work, creativity, and expertise in making this site a reality! Check out their site HERE.
I’ll be updating content on the new site weekly, so make sure to check back to see what’s new.
A special thanks to Rocket Expansion for their amazing work, creativity, and expertise in making this site a reality! Check out their site HERE.
