Tips for overriding the inner critic

I think we are all familiar with the editor/critic lounging on the chaise in our gray matter. Oh, it's all comfy and relaxed until we pick up a pen or seat ourselves at the keyboard and then... Whammy! - it's all fangs and claws ready to rip into our soft underbellies. I am all too familiar with this creature and we have done battle. Here are a few things that I have found which have sent the vulture scurrying for the horizon or ducking behind tangles of neurons.

1. Go to a new location - somehow this confuses it and it cannot get its bearings
2. Make a date with a friend who writes - a little competition might clear your mind
3. Let the torrent of thoughts flow without stopping - don't worry if they don't make sense somewhere in the middle of your ramblings they will and that is what you will use.
4. Natalie Goldberg in Writing Down the Bones recommends you use the phrase "I remember..." and then if you get stuck, start over with a new "I remember..."
5. Write about the creature until you exhaust all its juices - take all your insecurities and lay them all over the page. Then put it away and get on with your story.

I hope some of this is useful. If you have some good tips, please send them my way.
Thanks

Words, words, words

They're just words or are they? A certain grouping of letters results in a word but how it is received and with what power it is imbued is totally dependent on the receiver. What we bring to the gathering of letters is based on our prior experiences, our outlook on life, even our DNA - all of these things bring color and texture to words. Without them it's sort of like the proverbial tree falling in the forest - would they make a sound? The children's game, telegraph, aptly demonstrates this principle - each receiver runs the statement through their editor and what comes out is rarely what went in. So as you go through your day, pay special attention to how you receive and interpret words.

Torn Between Two Covers

Here is my dilemma: I am writing two books; one fiction; one nonfiction. It's hard to decide which one to work on and then to get the pen moving. Not only that but I am trying to figure out marketing ideas for the novel I have already published. Some days I get nothing done flitting about between the three competing energies. I would welcome any suggestions for managing my time. I love writing but sometimes it carries a stress of its own. Some days it's easy because a new idea for one of the books has crept in over night so my direction for the day is taken care of but some days I have no direction. Maybe I should just flip a coin but with three choices I would have to create the coin first. Oh, one more complication; I thought about publishing a book of poetry since I have around 50-60 poems I could use. It would serve as a giveaway - since the marketing gurus recommend having them on your website. So the question is how to prioritize and stay focused.

Did you pursue your dream? I need your story

Hi Folks,

I am writing a book about ways to get off the couch and get moving - physically, mentally and emotionally. So many of us have long given up on our dream but maybe it's time to dust them off and give them another look. Please send your story along - tell me how you took that first step towards a new path. Was there some event that got you started or maybe a person who inspired you. I want to hear it. If you would like to preview my writing style you can go to amazon.com and read a chapter from my novel entitled Threads (author Patrice St. Onge). I hope to hear from you soon.

Research for book - Viet Nam

I am doing research for a new novel and I would like to hear from Viet Nam vets and in particular African-American Viet Nam vets. I would like to know how you were treated - did the Civil Rights movement make any difference? Did you experience prejudice? If yes, what form did it take? Was there a glass ceiling in the command ranks? If you were not African-American what was your attitude towards soldiers of color?

You can comment or email me at redcanyonink@yahoo.com

Thank you

Is there anyone out there with experience in putting together a book tour. Now that my novel, Threads, is published I need to get the word out. I have done a lot of local media but want to branch out now. I have tried mass mailings to little success. The book seems to sell best when I personally promote it. I am getting good reviews - I even have a bookstore in NC that listed it as a "staff recommendation", but now need to parlay that into sales. I started a small press called Red Canyon Ink in order to publish my novels. I am working on a new one that I hope to have done by years end. You can check out my website at www.redcanyonink.com or go to amazon.com.

If you are a writer looking to self-publish I have some experience I would be glad to share.

Need help with blogging

I need help - okay in more than just this item I am going to discuss but that's another blog. How do you blog? I am fairly computer literate but can't seem to understand how you get other people to read your blogs or how to find blogs of others who are discussing topics you are interested in - like writing. Do you have to pay to blog? How do I search for blogs if I don't know anyone in particular? If someone could explain the intricacies of blogging, I would be most grateful.