Cintia asked Ciji Ware:

Hi, my name is Cintia and I'm from Argentina. Being a writer is what I want the most in this world, nothing makes me happier than writing, but I'm more and more frustrated with each passing day, because I've been blocked for 3 years. And it is not that I have an unfinished story. I have NOTHING AT ALL. A blank page in front of me, that only makes me sadder... Is there a way to overcome this? How do you handle it?

Ciji Ware So sorry I didn't see this question ...and the simple reason was: I was busy finishing a book ( THAT WINTER IN VENICE ) that came out September 19th and then I went on the road promoting it. I will tell you what my father--who was a writer and supported a family of five--said to me when I had a term paper due in 8th grade: "Sweetheart, writing consists of writing....putting the seat of your pants on the chair and your hands on the keyboard and DOING it. No excuses...no drama...just DO it. That's what a professional does....I consider it a job," he told me, "like working for the telephone company. You have to "clock in"--sit there--and do the work that's expected of you. In my case," he added, "it's producing a thousand words on the page each and every work day. Period." I took his advice, cut out the drama about writing, and have produced 13 books during my 25 year career. Hope this helps... and all best in the coming New Year! xoxo

flag