EFT for Authors – I’m stuck!

Posted on 16. August 2018 by fmoebius
Barrier

Barrier

Now, this happens to me fairly regularly. I sit down to continue a story, start a new chapter or a new scene – and bam. Stuck.

Can’t think of a way to segue into the new part, can’t think of a sentence to kick off the writing, and then – of course – I get frustrated and a little angry and a little desperate because it’s getting late and I left writing too late… and I have to get up early tomorrow, and ARGH!

You get the picture.

I’m sure you’re familiar with that, be it because you’re an author or just because you’re a human being who got stuck in a similar kind of situation.

I used to flail when that happened. Ate chocolate. Wailed. Banged my head on the table… well. Not that. I only do that in my mind. I’m not that given to public displays of despair.

Nowadays, however, I do two other things:

  1. Take a deep breath
  2.  Use EFT-tapping

And I’ll tell you in the video why that actually works. Yes, it has to do with our brain…

 

Okay. Sometimes, I still eat chocolate.

But seriously. Try this stuff. Try getting your negative emotions out of the way so you can be creative. And release that pressure.

Here are some tapping phrases to help you do that.

Tapping Phrases

Even though I’m stuck and I hate it and it’s horrible, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now give myself permission to let go of all that anger and frustration.

Even though I feel so stuck and it makes me so angry, this is my precious writing time after all, I’m still totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to take a deep breath and tap to release that anger and that block.

Even though it feels so horrible to want to write and not get over that starting sentence, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to skip that sentence, slide into that scene and write that part later.

Asking you:
How do you react when you get stuck?
Chocolate or chips?
What happened while you were tapping?
And finally – are you using tapping with your writing?
Please share in a comment.

Image Source: F. Moebius

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts, so it’ll be easier for you to get results. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive my Introduction to EFT as a gift. If you’re on a mobile and can’t see the sidebar, you can sign up through this link: Newsletter Sign-up.

And no. I will never use that email to send you anything other than my newsletter.

PPS: There is a roundabout way to my newsletter that’ll give you something really neat: an email series called “30 Days Daily Writing Habit” which is free. If you sign up for that, you’re automatically added to my newsletter, as well. (And you can always unsubscribe.)

PPPS: For those of you who are curious, you can find my books here: Hannah Steenbock

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Heat Wave Break

Posted on 2. August 2018 by fmoebius

Apologies, my friends.

Germany is experiencing a record-breaking heat wave. In a country where air conditioning is rare, having days and weeks of temperatures over 30°C is a tad… exhausting.

Now, I’m lucky that I live on the northern edge of Germany, and we have been spared most of that. Even so, that heat got me… and I’m taking this week off.

Here’s why I’m not pushing through it:

I keep talking about self-care and how important it is for running a thriving business. You must take the time for recreation and renewing your strength and brain power – and this is even more true for creatives like us writers.

So let me model self-care for you, even if it means there’s no video and no tapping round today. Both will be back next week.

Take care and happy writing!

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EFT for Authors – That First Sentence

Posted on 26. July 2018 by fmoebius
That First Sentence

That First Sentence

We tend to overburden that first sentence with an extraordinary amount of tasks.

It’s supposed to draw in the reader.

It’s supposed to be original, special and unmistakable.

It’s supposed to represent the genre, type and atmosphere of the story.

And it’s supposed to convey an author’s prowess.

Are you exhausted yet?

It’s not really surprising that many authors find it very difficult to deal with that first sentence.

It’s a shame, however, that all those expectations overburdening that poor first sentence can actually block someone from writing a story at all.

Because that’s simply a question of mindset and a huge misunderstanding. I’ll talk about that in the video.

 

So you see, that first sentence doesn’t really matter much for the writing of the story itself.

You can simply go ahead and just get that story moving. There’s always editing, too.

And if you still feel blocked by the need to get that all important first sentence right before you write that story, I have some tapping suggestions for you.

Because that need… isn’t truly helpful.

Tapping Phrases

Even though I was taught that the first sentence of a story is of utmost importance and I absolutely must get it right before I can write the story, I’m still totally okay the way I am, and I now give myself permission to craft that sentence when the story is done.

Even though I’ve been so blocked by all those expectations for a perfect first sentence, I’m still totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to know I can write the story first and craft that sentence last.

Even though I’ve been so overwhelmed with those demands of that first sentence, how will I ever create something like that? – I’m still totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to have fun writing the story first, and then come back to tackle that first sentence with the full weight of the completed story behind me.

Asking you:
How do you feel about that first sentence?
Do you pay attention to it when you read?
What happened while you were tapping?
And finally – are you using tapping with your writing?
Please share in a comment.

Image Source: F. Moebius

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts, so it’ll be easier for you to get results. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive an introduction to EFT as a gift, find that specific tapping round plus occasional special offers. If you’re on a mobile and can’t see the sidebar, you can sign up through this link: Newsletter Sign-up.

And no. I will never use that email to send you anything other than my newsletter.

PPS: There is a roundabout way to my newsletter that’ll give you something really neat: an email series called “30 Days Daily Writing Habit” which is free. If you sign up for that, you’re automatically added to my newsletter, as well. (And you can always unsubscribe.)

PPPS: For those of you who are curious, you can find my books here: Hannah Steenbock

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EFT for Authors – Where to Begin?

Posted on 19. July 2018 by fmoebius
Where to begin?

Where to begin?

That does seem a bit of a silly question, right?

Of course, a story starts at the beginning. Where else would it start?

But where exactly is that? Is it at “Adam and Eve”? Or at “Let there be Light”? Or is it with the creation of the magical artifact that will dominate your story and that happened thousands of years ago?

Here’s what not to do:

I once read a fantasy novel (whose author shall remain nameless, he’s a nice guy) where the main character took a tour of the fantasy word for several chapters before the action even started.

Granted, that might not happen in other genres, but I know it’s not always easy to determine where a story actually takes off.

So where does the story start?

Hint: It’s when the action starts. More about that in the video.
(Sorry about the low quality. I’m working on improving that.)

 

And if you’re still not sure, that’s okay. You can always change things around, add chapters and edit. But you must start your story somewhere, and then keep going.

Here’s some tapping to help you make that decision.

Tapping Phrases

Even though I really don’t know where to start my story, there is so much to my world, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now give myself permission to start where the action starts.

Even though I find it so hard to figure out where the beginning is, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to put the world into the story and not the other way around.

Even though I really worry about finding the right point to start the story, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now give myself permission to choose the spot where the action starts and feel good about that.

Asking you:
Do you write every day?
How much do you rely in inspiration or the muse?
What happened while you were tapping?
And finally – are you using tapping with your writing?
Please share in a comment.

Image Source: F. Moebius

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts, so it’ll be easier for you to get results. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive an introduction to EFT as a gift, find that specific tapping round plus occasional special offers. If you’re on a mobile and can’t see the sidebar, you can sign up through this link: Newsletter Sign-up.

And no. I will never use that email to send you anything other than my newsletter.

PPS: There is a roundabout way to my newsletter that’ll give you something really neat: an email series called “30 Days Daily Writing Habit” which is free. If you sign up for that, you’re automatically added to my newsletter, as well. (And you can always unsubscribe.)

PPPS: For those of you who are curious, you can find my books here: Hannah Steenbock

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EFT for Authors – Beginner’s Block

Posted on 12. July 2018 by fmoebius
I don't know how!

I don’t know how!

It’s never easy to begin something new.

Which is also very true for authors setting out to write their first story or novel. Many simply don’t know how.

But they put pressure on themselves, trying to come up with the next big American novel, or the next urban fantasy bestseller or the new Romance fad.

And they panic because they simple have no idea how to do it.

They don’t know HOW.

Of course, I’m not talking about how to use a word processor or even writing on a legal pad. No, what I mean, they know very little about creating characters, setting up a plot, managing tension, building  a story – and that is perfectly normal!

They’ve never done it. How could they know?

Because you don’t learn how to write from Writing Guides. Those can describe the building blocks. And they can be a bit of help. (Although I don’t usually recommend any.)

Writing is very much a craft, and as a beginner, people start out as apprentices. If they are lucky, the have studied their preferred genre and read a lot. That is always my recommendation, btw. Read a LOT.

A beginner who wants to be an author has only one, simple choice:

Start writing.

In the video, I’ll talk about the most important mindset shift you need to do well with your first story.

 

I know authors who spent years (and some even decades) writing and rewriting their novel. The number of drafts often reaches double-digits.

Don’t do that.

Finish your novel, back it up, and let it go for a while. Start your second novel.

If you’re really brave, go back to the first one after six months, and read it again. If you still think it’s good, edit it, send it to test readers and get their feedback. (No, family doesn’t count.) Make choices about the feedback, edit again, send it to an editor – and if you’re very brave, publish it.

And keep writing. This way, you’ll get more novels under your belt, and you’ll move from apprentice to journeyman, and with luck, eventually, to your first master piece. But it’ll only happen if you actually write.

So start writing now.

If that still feels too daunting, and you still feel bad about not knowing how, try some tapping.

Tapping Phrases

Even though I don’t know how to write a story and that’s holding me back, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now give myself permission to write that shitty first draft.

Even though I so want to write the story but I’m scared because I don’t know how, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to make it fun when I write it anyway.

Even though the story is trying to burst out of my head, but I’m too scared to be an author, after I all, I know nothing about writing – but I’m still okay the way I am, and I now choose to enjoy learning all about this writing!

Asking you:
How do you go about finding the beginning of your story?
How do you like to start your stories?
What happened while you were tapping?
And finally – are you using tapping with your writing?
Please share in a comment.

Image Source: F. Moebius

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts, so it’ll be easier for you to get results. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive an introduction to EFT as a gift, find that specific tapping round plus occasional special offers. If you’re on a mobile and can’t see the sidebar, you can sign up through this link: Newsletter Sign-up.

And no. I will never use that email to send you anything other than my newsletter.

PPS: There is a roundabout way to my newsletter that’ll give you something really neat: an email series called “30 Days Daily Writing Habit” which is free. If you sign up for that, you’re automatically added to my newsletter, as well. (And you can always unsubscribe.)

PPPS: For those of you who are curious, you can find my books here: Hannah Steenbock

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EFT for Authors – Waiting for the Muse

Posted on 5. July 2018 by fmoebius
Waiting for the Muse

Waiting for the Muse

I know quite a number of authors who wait for inspiration. Who wait for the muse to kiss them. Who are waiting for the one flash of genius that will inspire them to write this century’s next great novel. (Yes, I’m exaggerating… somewhat.)

The biggest problem with this kind of mindset is this:

They are still waiting, and not writing.

And that’s terrible, I think.

You see, waiting for inspiration does not really work. It does not get books written. And it builds frustration and regret – and makes writers give up.

In fact, the very opposite is true: Write, and inspiration will come.

I’ll talk some more about that in the video.

 

And know that I’m talking from experience. I’ve had times where I wrote like mad for weeks (sometimes months), and ideas were just tumbling over each other.

And the writing and the ideas dried up when I chose to focus on coaching instead. When I only wrote when an idea was utterly irresistible. Unfortunately, without regular writing, those ideas dried up quickly.

I changed that at the beginning of June, by making the decision to write 1,000 words every day. That’s actually not much of a committment – I can write 1k words in about 30 minutes – but it was difficult to really do that every single day, especially in the first week or two.

In those four weeks since that decision, I have written 28,000 words. More than in the three months before that combined.

Also, something marvellous is happening: I’ve been writing much more for the last three days, by developing my writing habit even further. I made it more fun – by using a laptop, turning off WiFi and going away from my desktop.

It’s been incredibly satisfying to watch my stories grow, to be close to my characters and familiar with the world – you can only get that through regular visits. And let me tell you, it’s wonderful.

Creating a daily writing habit is absolutely key for productivity. It’s the best thing you can do for your journey as an author.

And if you’re still in doubt,  here’s some tapping.

Tapping Phrases

Even though I thought that a writer must be inspired to write, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to know that writing begets inspiration.

Even though I’ve always waited for my muse, and it’s been frustrating and unproductive, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now chose to turn this around and write anyway.

Even though I always believed that writing without inspiration would only result in crap, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I’m giving myself permission to try this daily writing thing.

Asking you:
Do you write every day?
How much do you rely in inspiration or the muse?
What happened while you were tapping?
And finally – are you using tapping with your writing?
Please share in a comment.

Image Source: F. Moebius

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts, so it’ll be easier for you to get results. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive an introduction to EFT as a gift, find that specific tapping round plus occasional special offers. If you’re on a mobile and can’t see the sidebar, you can sign up through this link: Newsletter Sign-up.

And no. I will never use that email to send you anything other than my newsletter.

PPS: There is a roundabout way to my newsletter that’ll give you something really neat: an email series called “30 Days Daily Writing Habit” which is free. If you sign up for that, you’re automatically added to my newsletter, as well. (And you can always unsubscribe.)

PPPS: For those of you who are curious, you can find my books here: Hannah Steenbock

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EFT for Authors – I Hate Marketing!

Posted on 28. June 2018 by fmoebius
Buy my book!

Buy. My. Book.

Sadly, books don’t sell themselves.

I know. I know. They really should.

A good book should find its audience easily, it should impress readers and make them rave about it. And send them scurrying to buy more books by you, and make you rich. Right?

And it can.

Thing is… people have to find out that your book exists before all that exciting stuff can happen.

And that is where marketing comes in.

Yes. That dreadful word. That sleazy word. That horror.

Because most marketing we’re exposed to is horrible. It’s as simple as that. We all know those authors on FB and Twitter who post nothing but BUY. MY. BOOK. *sigh*

You hate it. I hate it. Everyone hates it.

The trick is not to do that. Instead, we can do something else.

And I’ll tell you in the video.

 

So yes, this takes some brains and some creativity. Which you have, since you’re an author. You got this. All you need to do is think outside of the box, and stop doing what you’ve seen “everyone else” do.

And here’s some tapping to help you get really creative in  how you tell people about your books.

Tapping Phrases

Even though I utterly dread marketing, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I’m now open to the possibility that talking about my book can be fun.

Even though I hate having to market – my book should sell on its own! – I’m still okay the way I am, and I now give myself permission to make marketing fun.

Even though I can’t really imagine pushing my books on people, I’m still totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to make this stuff fun and entertaining – and enjoy it myself!

Asking you:
How do you feel about marketing?
What would you like to share about your book? (No ads – Ahem!)
What happened while you were tapping?
And finally – are you using tapping with your writing?
Please share in a comment.

Image Source: F. Moebius

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts, so it’ll be easier for you to get results. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive an introduction to EFT as a gift, find that specific tapping round plus occasional special offers. If you’re on a mobile and can’t see the sidebar, you can sign up through this link: Newsletter Sign-up.

And no. I will never use that email to send you anything other than my newsletter.

PPS: For those of you who are curious, you can find my books here: Hannah Steenbock

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EFT for Authors – Not Original Enough

Posted on 21. June 2018 by fmoebius
Not original enough

Not original enough

I’m seeing this time and again. It crops up in author forums, in FB groups, even in some writing advice books. And I can see it driving authors to despair.

My story isn’t original enough!

It’s basically an expression of self-doubt. It’s a sense that you as author are not valuable if you cannot produce something extraordinary, exclusively new and fascinating.

It’s also a limiting belief and falling for a myth. It may even be an excuse, but that’s rare.

Here’s the thing:

Humans have been telling stories for millennia. Seriously. We’ve been sitting around campfires and inside caves, and later in huts and houses, and even later in theatres and amphitheatres – and creating and listening to stories.

And I honestly believe that every story has been told already, in a way. In fact, there are people postulating there are only a limited number of potential story arcs. (Check out Christopher Booker, “The Seven Basic Plots: Why we tell stories”, for example.)

 

So there are no new stories. There are only new ways of telling them.

Don’t believe me? Still feel terrible about your story idea? Start tapping.

Tapping Phrases

Even though I was taught that a story must be original, and I believed them, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to unlearn that old belief.

Even though I always thought that originality was very important, and I strive to put that into my stories, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I’m open to changing that to individuality.

Even though I thought that every artist must be original, fresh and extraordinary, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to recognize this as a limiting belief – and let it go.

Asking you:
Do you have that problem?
What makes your story uniquely yours?
What happened while you were tapping?
And finally – are you using tapping with your writing?
Please share in a comment.

Image Source: F. Moebius

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts, so it’ll be easier for you to get results. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive an introduction to EFT as a gift, find that specific tapping round plus occasional special offers. If you’re on a mobile and can’t see the sidebar, you can sign up through this link: Newsletter Sign-up.

PPS: For those of you who are curious, you can find my books here: Hannah Steenbock

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EFT for Authors – When characters misbehave

Posted on 14. June 2018 by fmoebius
Misbehaving character

Misbehaving character

Sooner or later, this is going to happen to every author, unless you meticulously plan your novel and map it all out. (How much fun is that?)

But if you’re even a bit like me and partly write for the wonderful feel of discovering a tale, your characters will surprise you one day.

Characters will misbehave

I’ve had characters shift from evil villain to supportive ally. I’ve had side characters stamp their foot and demand their own story. I’ve had allies turn into enemies, unexpectedly, throwing quite a monkey wrench into my plot.

And I love it.

But of course, this kind of real life twist can cause a lot of anger, frustration and even self-doubt. It can totally throw your story off the rails, and that’s a bummer.

At least at first.

Let me show you in the video how to turn this around.

 

Because really, this is a mindset issue.

And there is no better tool I know for shifting mindset than EFT tapping. And just in case you need a bit of help to work through this on your own, here are some suggestions.

Tapping phrases

Even though I’m so angry that my character is misbehaving and not doing what she is supposed to do, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I’m now open to the possibility that this is simply a sign to take a closer look at the story.

Even though it’s so annoying that my character has other ideas than what I planned, and I hate him acting out, I’m still totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to release those negative emotions and take a good look at what this means.

Even though it’s so utterly frustrating when a character goes and casually destroys my entire plot, I’m still totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to feel amused and take this information to make the story even better.

Asking you:
What’s the worst thing one of your characters did?
What was the biggest surprise in one of your stories?
What happened while you were tapping?
And finally – are you using tapping with your writing?
Please share in a comment.

Image Source: F. Moebius

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts, so it’ll be easier for you to get results. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive an introduction to EFT as a gift, find that specific tapping round plus occasional special offers. If you’re on a mobile and can’t see the sidebar, you can sign up through this link: Newsletter Sign-up.

PPS: For those of you who are curious, you can find my books here: Hannah Steenbock

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EFT for Authors – Help, I’m stuck!

Posted on 7. June 2018 by fmoebius
I'm stuck!

I’m stuck!

It’s basically inevitable: The day will roll around where you as author will get stuck in your writing.

Maybe your main character doesn’t want to follow your plot line. Maybe the villain decides to become a good person. Maybe your throw-away bar lady insists on getting involved.

Maybe you simply don’t know how to continue with the scene or how to jump into the next sentence, or wind up that particular chapter.

No matter how it happens, the feeling is always the same: ARGH!

I’ve been there many, many times in the last 18 years…

Now, there are ways to tap the precise situation that causes the stuckness. I’ll get to that. But before you get down to the nitty-gritty, it’s totally worth to try a more general approach before that.

Which means focusing on the feelings.

I’ll teach you how to do this in the video.

 

Now, there is no feeling that you’re “supposed” to feel. It’s all individual, and it’s all okay. If you have a green, icky blob in your stomach when you feel stuck – take it and run with it! Use that in your tapping. And play with the words. Make it fun, if you can. Curse like hell if you can’t. Be yourself.

EFT is wonderfully flexible. One reason why I love it so much.

Even so, if you feel insecure or have little experience with tapping, start with these phrases. Change what doesn’t fit you and experiment. All the best!

Tapping phrases:

Even though it feels so horrible and ARGH to be stuck like that, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to let go of all the frustration, panic and anger, and give my writer brain some slack to figure out the problem.

Even though I feel so terribly stuck and it’s making me all upset and angry and stressed, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to release all those emotions, to take some time-out and let my writer brain figure this one out.

Even though I utterly hate feeling stuck like this, and it’s frustrating as hell, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to relax, to release the emotions and give my writer brain permission to figure this stuff out.

Asking you:
When was the last time you got stuck?
What was the most intense emotion?
What happened while you were tapping?
And finally – are you using tapping with your writing?
Please share in a comment.

Image Source: F. Moebius

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts, so it’ll be easier for you to get results. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive an introduction to EFT as a gift, find that specific tapping round plus occasional special offers. If you’re on a mobile and can’t see the sidebar, you can sign up through this link: Newsletter Sign-up.

PPS: For those of you who are curious, you can find my books here: Hannah Steenbock

Posted in Mindset | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment