Write Mind: 299 Things Writers Should Never Say To Themselves (And What They Should Say Instead)

Write Mind is a short course in cognitive self-care for writers by Eric Maisel, widely regarded as America’s foremost creativity coach. Dr. Maisel’s books include Managing Creative Anxiety, Fearless Creating, Coaching the Artist Within, The Van Gogh Blues, and more than thirty others.

Nothing gets in the way of writing deeply and regularly more powerfully than a writer’s negative thoughts: that he doesn’t have a chance, that he isn’t talented, that it’s too late to start, that he hasn’t any good ideas, that selling and marketing are too difficult, and so on. These thoughts produce blockage and rob a writer of the motivational juice needed to start and complete projects.

In Write Mind Dr. Maisel presents a simple technique for eliminating these negative thoughts: learn to hear them for what they are and then substitute more productive ones. By providing 299 examples of “wrong thinking” followed by “right thinking” substitutes, Maisel teaches writers how to get a get a grip on their mind so that they can reach their writing goals and realize their writing dreams.


From the reviews:

“This excellent book packs a great punch in a small space. Using simple but useful cognitive therapy techniques, Maisel presents pairs of ideas--worse ways and better ways for writers to think about the issues that confront them. It is amazingly beneficial to see these "wrong mind" and "right mind" statements side-by-side. Highly recommended!”

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“This is a surprisingly versatile little book with a lot to say. Maisel's affirmations are surprisingly practical. They don't always tell us that we're right; they don't encourage us to adopt a blind, everything-is-okay approach to life. But they do encourage us to move on despite our problems. Obviously not every affirmation will be right for you straight out of the box. The idea is that you learn how to create your own--ones that suit your particular issues and problems. The affirmations that Maisel provides will give you plenty of examples to start from, and he brings in a touch of humor here and there to lighten the mood.”

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“This inspiring book helps writers learn to avoid those negative thoughts that struggling writers often say or think. The short thoughts can help writers with motivation, time management, and writer's block. Write Mind is a good psychological booster for struggling writers!”

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About Dr. Maisel

“Eric Maisel has made a career out of helping artists cope with the traumas and troubles that are the price of admission to a creative life.”
-- Intuition Magazine

“Eric Maisel’s psychological approach sets his work apart.”
-- Library Journal

“Eric Maisel is a meticulous guide who knows the psychological landscape that artists inhabit.”
-- The Writer Magazine