Writer's block, an owner's guide: Something for Twelfth Night

The title is from Shakespeare in Love and I’m happy to quote from there for four reasons. Partly, I’m celebrating having just bought the new book by its writer Marc Norman. I’m celebrating that, because What Happens Next is a substantial history of American screenwriting which looks like a great resource for the chapter I’m co-writing on screenwriters for an upcoming academic book. (Afternote: if you thought that was a long sentence, wait till you read the book)

I also like to quote the movie because it played a part in one of the best moments of my own life. (Afternote: my wife says I should explain that. We saw it on our wedding night. Oh yes, how to show a girl a good time)

Also, hey, it is Twelfth Night tonight.

But mostly, the movie’s on my mind today because it’s part of the fabric of this website. I mentioned it in the earliest days of Today I Write, and I’ve used it again more than once over the four years since then. And now the fabric’s changing, because the site is ready for its next redesign. It’s showing its age. It’s hard to navigate, even when you know what you’re looking for. And above all, my work in creativity coaching is moving in a new direction and the web site has to change to support it.

For instance, I’m relaunching the Today I Write newsletter this week. I invite you to sign up, over there look <<<——. The purpose of the newsletter is to be of practical service to people who want to begin writing and keep writing. You won’t find a word about plot, structure or grammar. Just words about actually doing the work.

Try it. You can stop any time. No salesman will call.

Published on January 6, 2008 at 4:45 pm. Linking to this article? Thank you! The permanent address is http://www.todayiwrite.com/journal/something-for-twelfth-night-too-late-too-late.html