The Writer's Block: 786 Ideas To Jump-start Your Imagination

by Jason Rekulak

Anxious to write that Great American Novel but don't know where to begin? Help is on the way with our Writer's Block! This guide to beating writer's block comes packaged in the shape of an actual block: 3" x 3" x 3", with 672 pages and more than 200 photographs throughout. Next time you're stuck, just flip open The Writer's Block to any page to find an idea or exercise that will jump-start your imagination. Many of these assignments come straight from the creative writing classes of celebrated novelists like Ethan Canin, Richard Price, Toni Morrison, and Kurt Vonnegut: Joyce Carol Oates explains how she uses running to destroy writer's block. Elmore Leonard describes how he often finds ideas just by reading the newspaper. E. Annie Proulx discusses finding inspiration at garage sales. Isabel Allende tells why she always begins a new novel on January 8th. John Irving explains why he prefers to write the last sentence first. Fresh, fun, and irreverent, The Writer's Block also features advice from contemporary editors and literary agents, lessons from the awful novels of Joan Collins and Robert James Waller, a filmography of movies concerning writer's block (e.g., The Shining, Barton Fink), and countless other surprises. With this chunky little book at your side, you may never experience writer's block again!

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference, Inspirational, Language

672 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2001

About the author

I'm the author of four novels: THE IMPOSSIBLE FORTRESS (2017), HIDDEN PICTURES (2022), THE LAST ONE AT THE WEDDING (2024) and (coming in October 2026!) LOOK WHAT THE CAT DRAGGED IN. For many years I was Publisher of Quirk Books, an indie press headquartered in Philadelphia, where I ghost-wrote many odd books that may or may not surface on this page, depending on the metadata. I live in West Philly with my wife and children.

Reviews

[Mary Louise]

I know, gimmicky. I don't care. When the muse won't land....

[em_wemily]

This is great for people just jumping into writing and looking for inspiration. There are 3 different types of assists in here:

1. random spark words to use as inspiration in your writing
2. random, but more specific, writing prompts
3. 1-3 paragraphs on a specific method of writing or tactic to break through writer's block, usually namedropping well-known authors and their works.

I found some useful information in here, including:
- new authors to check out
- the idea to write 55-word stories to learn how to use the English language *super efficiently.*
- must-read books for writers in the fields of science fiction and fantasy
- a push to lean into using more romance-based plot conflict

I've been working on my fantasy novel for the better part of the last 1.5 years, so this wasn't as helpful to me as it might have been to other writes, who perhaps are just starting out. This would be amazing for someone who specializes in short stories or someone trying to build their creative writing portfolio. Still, I'm glad I've read this, and I would recommend this to the type of writers that I've listed above. Though, I am looking to expand my short story portfolio. Perhaps this will come in hand in the future...

Super petty negative feedback below:

Unrelated to the content of the book, I hated the physical format of the book. I get that it's supposed to be a 'block' because it's called 'The Writer's Block' (I appreciate a good pun), but I kept the book open at less than a 90 degree angle for most of the time, since I was scared of ruining the spine. I don't think the pun was worth the weird physical experience of reading this. And had it been in a regular book form, it would have been like... a 50-page book instead of a 500+ page one.

[Carla Catalano]

The Writer's Block: 786 Ideas To Jump-start your Imagination is chock full of ideas to help unblock would be writers. If you open to any page, idea, exercise, or paragraph - you will have ample ammunition to get the creative juices moving. The exercises are organized with Spark Word prompts accompanied with photographs, Writing Topics featuring advice from legendary and mythic writers, and Writing Challenges that are short assignments designed to get you writing as quickly as possible. If you need ideas to spark your imagination - this little block of paper magic is for you. Write on!

[Jolie Higazi]

A bit out of date with many references, but I enjoyed it. I read straight through. My most favorite sections were the blurbs about other writers or books.

I also found it interesting that the whole book was about helping the reader catch inspiration of what to write, it’s interesting because reading this made me realize that I’m someone with different writing challenges than the norm.

I have dozens of topics of inspiration of what I want to write, but there were also some great new ones in here.

[Emmy]

This is a delightful little book and a great resource filled with inspiration, creative writing exercises, and encouraging examples set by other writers. All in all, it was a lot of fun. Technically, you're not supposed to read it cover-to-cover (which I did). Instead, you're supposed to open to a random page and use the prompt you find. That's how I intend to use it later, but I also wanted to see everything that was included, and I'm glad I did. There was a lot of good stuff here!

[Alexis]

I remember seeing this little book (shaped like a little block) when I worked at Chapters. I thought it was kind of silly. But then I started teaching a teen writing mentorship and realized the usefulness of some of the exercises in this little book.

I ordered myself a copy and read through it tonight. I feel inspired, and have some great new ideas to try with my teens, thanks to this little book. When I'm finished my term paper, I might try a few of these exercises out to jump start some new short stories.

[SmarterLilac]

This is greeeeaaaat. Contains some genuinely useful tips for blocked writers, like adivce to bolster your self-confidence by reading the (bad) novels of Robert James Waller, or learning how not to write by reading the fiction of Jackie Collins. Plus, there are some good "writing prompts" in here that I've actually used (something I almost never do anymore).

[elizabeth]

more substantial than you would expect from such a cute little book. i found it very helpful when i was teaching introductory creative writing--tons of fun in-class exercises and a good deal of useful advice.

[Tina]

I found this quirky cube at a time when it was exactly what i wanted, needed, desired and still love it dearly! it sits on my etagere de chevet, ready to inspire me at any moment!

i also once bought the creative block which i gave as a gift to a friend.

[Kirsten]

One of the best prompt books out there-and in a fun shape too!

[Lauren]

A must have for any writer!

[Jessica]

This book was helpful to generate ideas as I was writing.

[C]

A gift from Caroline quite some time ago in Laramie...

A cute little block of paper with some helpful advice and some unusual prompts...

[Melanie Page]

It certainly does take up a lot of space!

[Jobiska (Cindy)]

This is a great book for inspiring writing. I haven't used it as much as I should have. I love the cube shape too.

[Amanda Patterson]

Great for inspiration!

[Lynne Schmidt]

This little block has tons of random exercises and quotes to help you write. I'd recommend it to anyone with Writers Block.

[Jeffrey II]

This little book has helped me at meetings and even while I worked. Sometimes even just the small factoids the book are good for a laugh. A little book with big potential.

[Anastasia]

I was given this book as a gift. Never tought I would actually use it but I have and quite often. Love the cube shape and the fantastic little prompts in it. A must have for any aspiring author/

[Susan Rose]

This is a really handy little book for jump starting creative writing exercises.

I would especially recommend giving this as a gift to any aspiring writer.

[Jenny]

A great little prompt book. It's easy to take with you and uses images and text to jump start your creativity on a slow day.

[Rebekah]

I love this book, but it gives me too many ideas at once.

[Wizard]

Excellent prompts. Serves as a perfect kick-start to the imagination when you're feeling blocked.

[L C]

In 2001, the title grabbed me just as much the unique sizing of this boxy book. Full of ideas & notations; makes a great gift! It is a great kicker....with a domino effect.