another thought on writer's block

Another thing that doesn't work with writer's block? Punishing yourself.

This one is tricky, because there are times when what looks like writer's block is really a screaming howling toddler temper tantrum case of the Don't Wannas. In that instance, the right thing to do is to sit yourself down in front of the manuscript and be firm about the fact that you have to work on it. Even if you'd rather poke pencils in your eyes or tow the African Queen through a leech-infested swamp.

But it's easy--a...