6 Great Books for Overcoming Writer’s Resistance

Over the years I’ve learned a few signs that signal to me that I am probably experiencing some writer's resistance and avoiding the creative work that needs to be done. One tricky sign is that I’m suddenly doing more reading about writing than I am writing.

I tricked myself with this one for years because reading about writing feels so productive, but when it comes down to it those are still hours when I read someone else’s work instead of doing my own.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t read books on writing, obviously. (Right? Read on!) But paying attention to what’s going on when you’re filling what was supposed to be writing time with reading about it instead could help you ID some of the natural writer's resistance that can creep in between you and your creative work.

I suppose there are two bright sides to my having done so much of this in the past--

Bright side #1: I have a personal library of books on writing that could stock an entire Book-Mobile, and I do go back to them from time to time to revisit those ideas.

Bright side #2: I can share them with you in the hopes that these 6 in particular might shake something loose for you in a time when you’re finding it hard to get to the page and get your own writing done.

This list could definitely be longer but for today, I want to share just a few of my favourite books specifically tackling the issue writers block or resistance. If this is something you struggle with, I hope one or more of the following can provide a breakthrough or just a shaft of light you can expand over time.

Book Recommendations on Writer's Resistance

Around the Writers Block, by Rosanne Bane

I like a bit of woo-woo now and then, but I also have a limit for the books that go completely Muse-y on me, you know? This book really released something for me because it’s based on neuro-science and how your brain deals with fear. Now it’s the book I think all writers, and all creators, should read on the topic of writer's resistance.

Coaching the Artist Within, by Eric Maisel

Maisel has a few books I’d recommend – we can do a deep dive on him later – but this one offers a series of exercises and reflections for ways of dealing with yourself when you’re struggling to write, and news ways to offer yourself constructive support and encouragement. (I suppose I could be a bit biased here as I'm studying with Eric to become a certified creativity coach, but you can have a look and judge for yourself if his work interests you.)

The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron

I’m guessing you may already own this one! Morning pages are still a tool I use from time to time, as well as Artist Dates. I love(d) this book for its huge selection of quotes from other artists at a time when I felt alone in my creative life and unwilling to call myself an artist. I recommend a few others in this series as well.

The Talent Code, by Daniel Coyne

Coyne expands on the idea of “deep practice” he discovered when exploring what he terms “talent hotbeds.” This is a book about how other people achieve their creative aspirations and therefore, hey, why not you? It’s also a book about using your mistakes to advance your learning and get better at something in a shorter period of time than you thought was possible. And I’m a fan of books that take some of the mystery out of talent.

Daring Greatly, by Brené Brown

Has anyone not yet heard of Brené Brown? This American academic has made a career out of studying shame and talking about it in public. The key point in this book – and a cross-cutting theme across much of her work – is the need to be vulnerable, why it’s important and how we can coach ourselves to do it more often. And what is creative work if it’s not being vulnerable in public pretty much 24/7? Highly recommend.

Uncertainty, by Jonathan Fields

Another on the theme of creative fear, this book looks at it from the point of view of uncertainty – that we are faced with unknown endings and uncertain processes and this is what scares us and limits our creative power. It’s an interesting idea and Fields walks through a number of approaches he recommends, including finding your “certainty anchors” and building your hive – a grouping of creative people supporting and encouraging each other. Sounds like a writers group to me! (And at least he didn’t say “tribe.”)

There are LOADS more where these came from. I’ll add to this list and re-post a little later on, but in the meantime I’d love to know your recommendation for the best book you’ve found for tackling writer’s resistance. Please come find me on Instagram, Twitter or FaceBook and let me know which ones you love and why.

P.S. Those links aren't affiliate links and I don't get anything from you buying them. Just a list of books! :-)