Mark David Gerson's Blog, page 26

Acts of Surrender 2: Radical Rebirth

Amazing the things a soul will sign up for just so it can become a writer and have a good story to tell.
~ Mark David Gerson

There's a scene in my novel The MoonQuest where a character who's been living for many years in the safe solitude of a desert oasis hears a voice on the wind that urges him to leave, despite the blinding sandstorm raging beyond the palm trees that ring his insular retreat.

"You must go," the wind insisted.

"Go where?" Kyri asked. "There is nowhere to go. I will die out...

Acts of Surrender II: Radical Rebirth

Amazing the things a soul will sign up for just so it can become a writer and have a good story to tell.
~ Mark David Gerson

There's a scene in my novel The MoonQuest where a character who's been living for many years in the safe solitude of a desert oasis hears a voice on the wind that urges him to leave, despite the blinding sandstorm raging beyond the palm trees that ring his insular retreat.

"You must go," the wind insisted.

"Go where?" Kyri asked. "There is nowhere to go. I will die out...

The Myth of Writer's Block - Join the Online Conversation

Is writer's block real or a myth? If you do get blocked what do you do to unblock?

Share your stories, thoughts, tips and suggestions on this most feared of creative ills tomorrow (July 18) on Twitter, when I guest host this week's #storycraft, a live -- and lively -- real-time discussion about all things fiction.

And bring your questions. Writer's block is one of those issues writers (and other creative artists) come to me with most often in my capacity as a writing coach. I'd be happy to an...

Write What's Right...for Right Now

Feeling blocked on a creative project? Before you call it writer's block, consider whether what you're writing is the right idea for you right now.

Maybe it's the right idea for someone else but not for you. Maybe it will be the right idea for you at some point in the future. Or maybe this project was right for you when you began it, but isn't right for you anymore.

It's possible that you've outgrown it. It's also possible that you haven't fully grown into it.

I was 100 pages into the first draf...

The Myth of Writer's Block: How to Get Writing and Keep Writing

You don't have to experience writer's block. Ever.

You don't have to sweat over the blank page. You don't have to chew your pencil (or fingernails) to the nub. You don't have to wonder where the next word is coming from.

Writer's block is a myth -- not because you won't ever feel stuck but because there's no reason for you ever to stay stuck.

Do you wonder where your next breath is coming from? Unless you suffer from some sort of lung disease, you rarely think about your breath. You assume it wi...

You Are A Writer (Yes, You Are!)

You are a writer.
You are a writer of power, passion, strength
and, yes, courage.
For writing is an act of courage.

You are a writer.
What you write is powerful.
What you write is vibrant.
What you write, whatever you believe in this moment, is luminous.

These words are from my guided meditation, "You Are A Writer," which appears in The Voice of the Muse: Answering the Call to Write and is the final recorded meditation for writers on The Voice of the Muse Companion CD.

"You Are A Writer" is now a...

Facing the Void: Coping with a Blank Page

What do you do when you face a blank page? It's all about trusting the mystery and taking that leap of faith into the unknown...into the infinite realm where your stories reside.



• For more videos about writing and the creative process, visit my YouTube page. And watch for the debut of MuseTV, my new series of video interviews with writers and creators of all types and stripes.

• For more tips and inspiration, visit my web site, where you can read my "Rules for Writing," sign up for my mailing ...

The Muse & You with Mark David Gerson (#12): Radio About Writing, Creativity & Life

Episode Twelve: Thursday, June 17, 1pm ET

(click here to listen live or to listen to or download the archived version any time after the show airs)


• Inspiration for your writing, creativity and life

• Feature interview with author Lev Raphael

There are days when Facebook makes me crazy and days when I'm grateful for the magic that not only connects people across the miles but reconnects them across time.

I first met Lev Raphael what seems like many lifetimes ago. I was still in my 20s and he a...

Lev Raphael: 7 Secrets About the Writing Life

A version of this guest post by author Lev Raphael originally appeared here in March. I'm reprinting it this week to coincide with his June 17 appearance on my Muse & You with Mark David Gerson radio show.

• More information about Lev Raphael and this week's radio broadcast (June 17, 1 pm ET)

While author Lev Raphael had the good fortune in college to have an inspiring writing professor, neither she nor any other writing profs he took classes with later on talked to him about the writing life i...

New ONLINE Coaching Group for Writers: Starts June 29 via Skype

An online coaching group for writers...
Available wherever you are!
Online via Skype

"I LOVED and was absolutely inspired by the coaching group!"~ MM, Los Angeles, CA

Imagine...
...a small writers' group that blends sharing, support and creative community with inspiration, instruction and professional guidance...
...a group that keeps you accountable and committed...
...a group that honors where you are in your creative process yet challenges you to meet your potential and move forward in your...