Why We Don't Write Our Books

BY SUZANNE FALTER-BARNS

In the 10 years that I've taught people how to get on with their books, I've noticed a phenomenon that I'll call "Author's Block." Would-be writers can, indeed, sit down and work when pressed to it. The problem is that they're not so sure they want the pressure of being an author. But they do want to. But they don't. And so on.

Ah, the agony of getting on with your book.

Well, I'm here to diffuse that situation with a list of what I think are the key reasons we don't immediately set down to write. Perhaps this will help the next time you find yourself polishing doorknobs instead of sitting down to write.

• We lie to ourselves about why we can't write the book. We think our stalling is about lack of time, or too much pressure at work, or not enough solitude in the evening. But guess what? Chances are a deeper, darker reason may be at play, like "I'm not supposed to be bigger than Mom" or "What if this thing really takes off?"

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