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James E. Mendenhall
73 ratings | 2 reviews | avg rating:4.14

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James E. Mendenhall

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Member Since
January 2015


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Popular Answered Questions

How do you deal with writer’s block?
James E. Mendenhall Writer's block is like running into a flag pole. You bang into it with an undignified clang while just a moment before you had been humming along with…moreWriter's block is like running into a flag pole. You bang into it with an undignified clang while just a moment before you had been humming along with your eyes closed in pleasant contemplation (and, no doubt, admiration) of your developing storyline. You then rub your head, step back, stare at the pole, curse it for having the temerity to exist, and get terribly frustrated while it stands there impassively, oblivious to your intense desire to move forward. “Let me through,” you say. “I’m heading in a very particular direction, and you are unfairly obstructing my progress. Please move or I shall continue to dent my head on your shiny aluminum surface until I pass out or, preferably, you get out of the way.” And still it sits there, fully occupied with airing out the cloth flapping like freshly washed laundry at its summit. Of course, that is the purpose of a flag pole. No shame in that. But coming to grips with that fact doesn’t really help you get where you need to go. Then it occurs to you that you can just take a step to the right and continue along as before. So, that’s it, really. Step around it. Write a different piece of the story. Write a different story. Go read a book. Chances are you will find an even better path, or, perhaps, you will eventually come back to the place where the flagpole was and someone will have had the good sense to remove it. If none of that works, then salute the flag, turn around, and go home, and, tomorrow, find some other forest to walk in. But try not to run into a tree.(less)
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What’s the best thing about being a writer?
James E. Mendenhall Simple. Omnipotence. If you want to have a character that's a 45-foot zebra unicorn whose life force depends on jellybeans, then go right ahead. If yo…moreSimple. Omnipotence. If you want to have a character that's a 45-foot zebra unicorn whose life force depends on jellybeans, then go right ahead. If you want a character named Cornelius Madagascar Flibbertigibbet, fine. You can even tack on "Jr." if you want, and Cornelius will have nothing to say about it. He'll just go on fighting hobgoblins or building his time warp laser cannon as if nothing unsual is happening.

Of course, the fun ends when your editor or spouse asks you what the heck you're writing about, and what's with the jellybeans anyway?. . . .but until then, the world is yours to command.(less)
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Combine Editions

Average rating: 4.53 · 15 ratings · 6 reviews · 1 distinct work
The Bad Present
4.53 avg rating — 15 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions
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Topics Mentioning This Author

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100+ Books in 2026: Roseann's 100+ in 2015 7 24 Apr 15, 2015 12:00PM  
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Nothing But Readi...: This topic has been closed to new comments. Level 1 of the Serious Readers Challenge for 2015 281 1219 Jan 01, 2016 04:39AM  
Ladies & Literature: This topic has been closed to new comments. 1,100,000 Pages! Group Reading 2015 Challenge! 742 124 Jan 04, 2016 06:41AM  
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James’s Groups

26989 Goodreads Authors/Readers — 56883 members — last activity 57 minutes ago
This group is dedicated to connecting readers with Goodreads authors. It is divided by genres, and includes folders for writing resources, book websit ...more
57055 The Humour Club — 1649 members — last activity Jun 08, 2026 05:23AM
A group for readers and writers of humorous fiction.
109784 GOOD REVIEWS — 8695 members — last activity Jun 10, 2026 01:38PM
This Group is only for authors who are looking for reviews and Reviewers who love to read books and share their reviews.
20786 Book Haven — 11384 members — last activity Jun 09, 2026 07:39PM
This is a group for people who enjoy many different genre's. If you are someone who appreciates a good book, regardless of the genre...this is the gro ...more
71494 Book Review Club — 2977 members — last activity Jun 09, 2026 10:55AM
This group is to help authors to achieve more-HONEST-reviews by reviewing freely provided books/ARCs. Rather than post scathing reviews, the reader ...more
71883 Great Middle Grade Reads — 4487 members — last activity Jun 06, 2026 10:21AM
ABOUT THE GROUP Great Middle Grade Reads is here to help you discover new books, discuss favorites, and find like-minded readers. Middle Grade books a ...more
25x33 middle grade reviews — 27 members — last activity May 06, 2020 07:10AM
This is a friendly group where people can review other people's middle grade novel - but we all work together, i.e. give back and review others works! ...more
60696 Making Connections — 14881 members — last activity 12 hours, 29 min ago
Read, Review, and Make Connections
56962 Book Bloggers of Goodreads — 3029 members — last activity Jun 11, 2026 02:39PM
This is a group for the book bloggers of Goodreads and authors seeking reviews. Book bloggers: post events, reviews, giveaways, ask questions, share l ...more
72896 Wanda's amazing Amazon reviewers — 131 members — last activity Sep 19, 2018 03:26AM
We read and review here and on Amazon. Our aim, to get Amazon to promote an Indie book.
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