The Cure for Writer's Block

by Andrew Mayne

Why do some writers never seem to have a problem producing a nearly endless flow of stories while others find themselves perpetually staring at a blank page? In The Cure for Writer’s Block, Andrew Mayne, named Amazon UK’s top five best-selling author of the year, occasional television magician and prolific writer of fiction and nonfiction, including the Amazon #1 bestselling book on authorship, How to Write a Novella in 24 Hours, shares the secrets to unlocking your creative potential. From inception to completion, The Cure for Writer’s Block helps you diagnose what kind of writer’s block you’re experiencing and how to cure it. Writer’s When you really want to tell a story but have no idea what to tell. Writer’s When you have a great idea but just can’t figure out how to get started. Writer’s When you’re in the middle of your book and you don’t know where to go next or what happened to the passion. The Cure for Writer’s Block is presented in an easy-to-read format, includes quick summaries and “Try this” activities to help you build your creative problem-solving skills. Also included are 50 creativity boosters, designed to help you find a solution and engage your imagination. Table of Contents Diagnosing Writer's Block Opening Night Writer’s Finding your story 1. Storytelling is in your DNA 2. The Story Formula 3. What it Means to Write What You Know 4. Mining Your Experiences 5. Finding Stories 6. Writing Prompts 7. Choosing the Right Story Writer's How to start writing your story 8. Getting Started 9. Starting Structure #1: The Collision 10. Starting Structure #2: The Slow Build 11. Starting Structure #3: In Medias Res 12. Starting Structure #4: Framing Devices 13. First Impressions Writer’s How to get unstuck in the middle of your story 14. The Tangle 15. Dead Story Walking 16. Stuck in the DMV 17. Step Away from the Keyboard - But Not Too Far 18. Rethink Your Ending Finally 50 Creativity Boosters

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

96 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 28, 2016

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a frustrating read. It contained some nice insights and useful strategies for getting you through several different kinds of writer's block, but it is in serious need of proofreading. Author's names and character names are misspelled, there are mistakes with subject-verb agreement, and lots of instances where he just uses the wrong word (ex: were instead of will!). Overall this makes me feel like the author rushed to get the product out without any regard for its quality.

[Jerry Walch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew Mayne strikes again. I’d just finished reading and reviewing his How to Write A Novella In 24 Hours… when I stumbled upon this one, The Cure for Writer’s Block. This is another craft book that needs to be in every aspiring writer’s personal library. Hundreds of craft books have been written on the subject of writer’s block, but each offers a novel approach to the common problem every writer has faced and will face. I have read many of those books and have picked up at least one or two helpful new tricks from each of them.

 This is another of Andrews short books, 96 pages, but it contains encyclopedia length valuable experience and knowledge. Like most successful professional writers, Andrew Mayne believes in paying it forward by sharing all the insights and knowledge that he gained about the craft of writing with those just starting out on their journey to becoming successful writers.

[Sheila Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 out of 5

I enjoyed how the author broke down "Writer's Block" into three separate issues and gave various examples of what each "block" would look like. However, a lot of the information on writing I already knew and there were numerous grammatical and typographical errors. I believe this tiny book was self-published (it came in one of my Scribbler writer boxes along with one of his novels) and you can definitely tell. The glaring errors constantly pulled me from the book, houghing in frustration.

[LAURA A. FITZGERALD · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book I read thoroughly produced intriguing guidelines and suggestions for all readers interested in the field of writing like experimental prompts. I liked its trivial inclusions, yet I wished there were more of those notables via biographical details as well as their labors & accomplishments (amen) to draw wannabes into enduring their own progress better!! Thank you so much!!

[Shaina Beksinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a creative writing major, a lot of the information Andrew Mayne shared, I already knew, but I won't fault him for that. I like how he breaks down the concept of "writer's block" and goes into detail about the different types, which I found to be quite accurate in my writing experience. In addition, it was helpful that he references other authors and their works, and the 50 ideas at the back of the book are a good resource. I will be using them in the future when writer's block rears its ugly head. However, the book had several grammatical errors, which I've found self-published books often do, but they seem too excessive and took me out of the book. Unfortunately, I found the writing to be juvenile and amateur, despite the useful information, hence, the 3-star review.

[S. Zapata · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of interesting ideas, and being in a bit of a "writer's knot" myself I definitely need some suggestions. However, the editing on this book is horrendous. The first error is even on the copyright page and it doesn't stop there. Word of advice Andrew Mayne: get a new editor.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, sweet and to the point. I found the middle section on getting started with the beginning of the story the most useful.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet and to the point, with a very easy-to-use chapter system targeted for what is exactly blocking the words and how to help.

[Taylor Husak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This definitely had some cool ideas. And I think I'm going to try some of them.

[Manoj Surya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and useful book

This is a short and useful book, i found it has practical advice without dragging the topics more than needed to say. Quick read.

[Pamela Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this in about an hour! Provides so much guidance on how to get out of that nagging writer's block.

A couple months ago, I asked Andrew Mayne how I could get out of a vicious cycle (a form of writer's block). I would have an idea for a story, get excited and write, start to disconnect from my story or even blank out because I was too worried my story has been done before. I would get discouraged and stop writing.

He responded with, "Everything has been done before...What matters is *how* you tell your story and what surprises people encounter along the way."

With that said, this book clearly outlines his simple, yet encouraging advice to me.

Whether you are stuck at a blank page, full of ideas but don't know where to start, or in the middle and don't know which direction to take, this is the book that I highly recommend to get you moving along.

Thanks!

[Bryan Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stuck on what to write

The 50 creativity boosters at the end of the book are with the price alone. If you also read the rest of the book, the stories about how popular books tackle issues and solve problems are Wonderfull.