the_War_of_art

For sure writing this short blog qualifies as procrastination … I should be reviewing French, in anticipation of a course starting Monday. Is taking a French course procrastination? Is reading books about procrastination procrastination? This is a murky realm!

I’d hate to count how many books on writing I own—could be 30, could be 50, could be more. When I’m gearing up to write (and at other stages in the process), I become ravenous for writing on writing. Right now I’m gulping down two books that I requested from the library (I do own quite enough, I think).

 The 101 Habits of Highly Successful Screenwriters

One is The 101 Habits of Highly Successful Screenwritersa perfect sort of book to read during my husband’s turns at scrabble. It’s not as great as I had hoped, although there is a lot in it. The other is The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, and I recommend it. It’s all on—can you guess?—resistance to writing. Here’s from an opening:

It’s not the writing part that’s hard. What’s hard is sitting down to write. … What keeps us from sitting down is Resistance.

And so: is writing this blog Resistance? Is putting off writing until July 1, when we’re finally moved back to our country home and I can be sure to write every day without stopping Resistance? It does make me wonder …

If you’re having trouble sitting down to write … for whatever reason … read The War of Art. It’s very good.