Finding the motivation to do what you love — such as be creative or write a book– is a constant struggle. Even artists and writers who earn a living from their creativity struggle with the muse from time to time!

What roadblocks do you face when you’re trying to be creative? Fear, doubt, uncertainty, lack of time, rejection sensitivity, perfectionism, procrastination, self-criticism, impatience?

You’re not alone, my friend.

“Everyone has talent; what is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark place where it leads.” ~ Erica Jong.

Helping writers find “the dark place” is why I wrote 73 Ways to Fire Up (or Just Fire) the Muse: How to Write When You Don’t Wanna, or Think You Can’t. It offers solutions to most obstacles, with practical tips and inspirational wisdom from professional freelance writers, novelists, journalism professors, and other successful scribes. This ebook also offers “quick quips” from published authors (because quips and tips are what I’m all about!).

Here’s what one reader says:

“After reading your ebook I am totally charged! It’s motivational, easy to read, and speaks directly to me and every one of my writing angsts and blocks – your energy vibrates off the page. It’s like having you personally talking to me, telling it like it is and encouraging me on. It spoke to so many of my blocks – and I credit it with firing me up after being on simmer for so long.” ~ Maggie R.

I love it — that’s exactly what I was hoping would happen! If you’re struggling to find the motivation to do what you love, this book will help…

In this ebook, you’ll find:

• 15 obstacles – common to most writers – that block a productive writing life or career.
• 73 tips for overcoming obstacles from freelance writers, published authors, journalism professors, & other successful scribes.
• Dozens of thought-provoking quips from famous authors.

You’ll learn practical ways to bypass various roadblocks: no time to write, fear of rejection, reluctance to waste time on a project that may never get published, not feeling good enough, lack of self-discipline, procrastination, perfectionism, disorganization, work and life commitments, online distractions, offline distractions, internal distractions, external distractions, lions and tigers and bears – oh my!

You’ll learn what works, what doesn’t work, and why.

Each chapter in this ebook can stand alone; you don’t necessarily need to read it from top to bottom. You can choose the obstacle that plagues you from the Table of Contents and dive right in. You can save certain chapters until later in your career (such as Chapter 3.5: “5 Things to Do While You Wait for Publication”).

And the best part is, you can re-read it whenever you need a “booster shot” in one particular area (because obstacles come and go over time).

$9.95 US

If you have any thoughts or questions on ”firing up the muse” or finding the motivation to do what you love to do, please comment below…

Related posts:

1. Overcoming Shame and Guilt – Erica Jong
2. How to Use Your Instincts to Succeed at Work – Erica Jong
3. Overcoming Shame and Guilt – Erica Jong

The life lesson: Listen up to find your direction in life. Focus on the whispers only you can hear – because the Universe is opening and closing doors and showing you the right way to go. The successful woman who teaches us this life lesson? Frida Kahlo, of course!

“…I paint because I need to,” said Kahlo, a Mexican artist who inspired feminists all over the world after her death. She lived from 1907-1954, and was one of the most authentic women in history.

Kahlo began painting because she was “bored as hell” while convalescing in bed after a traumatic bus accident. Have you ever wondered what direction to take in life? You need only listen and look for open doors…here’s how the events in Frida Kahlo’s life told her where she needed to go…and how she went there with passion and intensity!

Finding Your Direction in Life – Frida Kahlo

Kahlo was an artist – some say Mexico’s greatest – who didn’t bother waxing or plucking her bushy unibrow and moustache; she painted them right into her self-portraits. Kahlo subtracted three years from her birthday and claimed 1910 as her birth year. Whether she did this to make herself younger or associate herself with the Mexican Revolution (which started in 1910) is still debated.

Frida Kahlo did what she wanted. Kahlo had Oprah Winfrey’s key to a successful life! According to one biographer, Frida Kahlo swore all the time. She drank tequila and smoked heavily. She sang loud songs and told off-color jokes at the wild parties she hosted; she was a vibrant extrovert who was sexually liberated. “She is a devil,” her father told her future husband. “I know,” said Diego Rivera. Frida’s first male love interest was Alejandro, the leader of a gang at her school. She became a feminist cult figure towards the end of the 20^th century, particularly because her intense paintings were dominated by female themes.

Pain was a huge part of her existence.

Frida Kahlo was real. She was obsessive, passionate, despairing, and brutally honest. Kahlo danced – she loved crowds – and she flirted with and seduced both men and women. Her lust for life was evident in everything she did. Kahlo delighted in gossip, dirty jokes, and pets like spider monkeys. She treated children like adults, servants like family, and students like colleagues.

Kahlo didn’t care what people thought.

Finding your direction in life. Whether you’re fervent like Frida or quietly passionate like Amelia Earhart, be aware of the open and closed doors in your life. Whether you’re struggling with cancer, chasing a promotion, bored as hell, or getting a divorce – those open and closed doors are pointing you in the right direction.

Go boldly, my friend. Go boldy. And, read Getting What You Want Out of Life – Angelina Jolie for inspiration.

If you’re lucky enough to find direction in life, how did you do it? Comment below – I’d love to hear from you!

Related posts:

1. Finding the Right Timing in Life – Anita Roddick
2. What Halloween Costumes Reveal About Personality Traits
3. Finding the Motivation to Do What You Love – Julia Cameron