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The Mental Game of Writing: How to Overcome Obstacles, Stay Creative and Productive, and Free Your Mind for Success
The keys to success as a writer are yours for the thinking! All success begins in the mind. For writers, the mind fuels the imagination and creates stories. But for authors who are productive and resilient, and see a good return on their efforts, there is another factor at work. They are winning the mental game of writing. Successful writers have the ability to inspire themselves to produce consistently, improve systematically, overcome obstacles and keep up a positive mental attitude. In this book, #1 bestselling writing teacher James Scott Bell takes you through the mental landscape of the successful author. He shows you not only how to stay on your game, but how to improve it. He gives you insights, strategies and techniques for blasting through walls and jumping over hurdles, setting you free to concentrate on what you love most – writing. You'll learn how to define true success, formulate goals and plans, find courage and commitment to write, unleash your creativity and write with joy. You'll also be given steps to handle challenges like stress, burnout, envy, expectations and the trap of comparison. In short, you'll learn to get all your mental jets going full blast so your writing can reach new heights! "I need three things before I tackle a new Diet Coke, a laptop, and my dog-eared copies of James Scott Bell's books on writing craft." - #1 NYT Times Bestselling Author Kami Garcia
130 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2016
234 people are currently reading
546 people want to read
About the author
James Scott Bell
132 books1,032 followersJim is a former trial lawyer who now writes and speaks full time. He is the bestselling author of Try Dying, No Legal Grounds, Presumed Guilty, Glimpses of Paradise, Breach of Promise and several other thrillers. He is a winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Inspirational Fiction, and was a fiction columnist for Writers Digest magazine. He has written two books in the Writers' Digest series, Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure and Revision & Self-Editing.
Jim has taught writing at Pepperdine University and numerous writers conferences. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he studied writing with Raymond Carver.
Series:
* Shannon Saga (with Tracie Peterson)
* The Trials of Kit Shannon
* Ty Buchanan
Jim has taught writing at Pepperdine University and numerous writers conferences. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he studied writing with Raymond Carver.
Series:
* Shannon Saga (with Tracie Peterson)
* The Trials of Kit Shannon
* Ty Buchanan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
August 11, 2016
Found this super helpful and I know I'll re-read it many times. Had a spooky moment when Bell describes the "popcorn kitten" distraction effect and I became convinced he had a chip in my brain because that? Is me.
January 19, 2022
No matter the stage of one’s writing career, JSB offers phenomenal advice. He’s pragmatic, witty, and wise.
August 28, 2016
As a writer and editor over the last 20 years, I’ve read hundreds of writing how-to books on different aspects of the craft. I’ve never read an entire book on the mental challenges to writing UNTIL James Scott Bell published THE MENTAL GAME OF WRITING. The mental barriers to getting your writing done are tackled in this book in a fresh and insightful way.
Bell writes about 30 different topics in a short style. Readers can cover these topics in a few evenings or read them one a day for 30 days and consider how to apply the insights to their own writing. Whether you are facing a need for more discipline or creativity, you will find great wisdom in these pages. For example in the chapter on courage, Bell says, “Writers, it seems to me, are like tightrope walkers. It takes courage to put yourself out there, especially at the beginning, arms akimbo, people expecting you to fall. Maybe wanting you to. And you do…The question then is, what are you going to do about the fear?” (Page 32) Then Bell gives the reader three ways to gain more courage. From his years of experience, the wisdom for writers is packed into these pages.
Another mental issue for writers is to compare your own writing to others. In the chapter on comparison, Bell says, “Comparison is death to a writer. Don’t look up or down. Look at the page in front of you and nail it!” (Page 109)
Keep your highlighter handy as you read this book. As you tackle the mental game in your own writing, I suspect you will want to return to these pages over and over. I highly recommend THE MENTAL GAME OF WRITING.
Bell writes about 30 different topics in a short style. Readers can cover these topics in a few evenings or read them one a day for 30 days and consider how to apply the insights to their own writing. Whether you are facing a need for more discipline or creativity, you will find great wisdom in these pages. For example in the chapter on courage, Bell says, “Writers, it seems to me, are like tightrope walkers. It takes courage to put yourself out there, especially at the beginning, arms akimbo, people expecting you to fall. Maybe wanting you to. And you do…The question then is, what are you going to do about the fear?” (Page 32) Then Bell gives the reader three ways to gain more courage. From his years of experience, the wisdom for writers is packed into these pages.
Another mental issue for writers is to compare your own writing to others. In the chapter on comparison, Bell says, “Comparison is death to a writer. Don’t look up or down. Look at the page in front of you and nail it!” (Page 109)
Keep your highlighter handy as you read this book. As you tackle the mental game in your own writing, I suspect you will want to return to these pages over and over. I highly recommend THE MENTAL GAME OF WRITING.
August 1, 2018
#booktubeathon2018
book about smth you want to do
i did not like this book one bit. it is absolutely pointless half of it is generic things like "we all have a dream of some kind but until you start working on it a dream is all it is" and the other half are quotes from different books or people
the thing that made it almost impossible to read for me is a condescending tone the author used when talking about people who might disagree with him. like "you might think differently, of course, if you are ready not to be successful and never make a good book. because i am a best-selling author, i know how to write"
like, ugh, we get, can be a little less self-loving?
book about smth you want to do
i did not like this book one bit. it is absolutely pointless half of it is generic things like "we all have a dream of some kind but until you start working on it a dream is all it is" and the other half are quotes from different books or people
the thing that made it almost impossible to read for me is a condescending tone the author used when talking about people who might disagree with him. like "you might think differently, of course, if you are ready not to be successful and never make a good book. because i am a best-selling author, i know how to write"
like, ugh, we get, can be a little less self-loving?
November 12, 2017
There are tons of books out there on writing and some of them touch upon the words we need to hear that keep us moving toward our goal. This book, in my opinion, is the best one out there on spirit of the craft.
James Scott Bell not only gives practical advice on how to be productive every day, but he also shows you how to successfully defeat the gremlins of your mind that keep you from putting your ass in the chair and writing....every day.
I got this from the library, but I just ordered it from Amazon and I will put it on my desk with On Writing by Stephen King and refer to it daily.
If you are serious about being a writer this book belongs in your arsenal.
James Scott Bell not only gives practical advice on how to be productive every day, but he also shows you how to successfully defeat the gremlins of your mind that keep you from putting your ass in the chair and writing....every day.
I got this from the library, but I just ordered it from Amazon and I will put it on my desk with On Writing by Stephen King and refer to it daily.
If you are serious about being a writer this book belongs in your arsenal.
August 3, 2016
This gem should be read by every aspiring and published author. As you progress in your journey as a writer there are new hurdles to vault. When you're starry-eyed and dreaming, you need to read it. When you've got five books under your belt, you need to read it. When you're pulling out your hair wondering if you made a huge mistake wanting to write, you need to read it. The Mental Game of Writing needs to be read at every stage of the journey. James Scott Bell truly inspires and teaches us how to overcome the obstacles (as the subtitle promises) while sharing stories of his own journey along the way. So much of a writer's drive is in the mind, as Bell explains. In this day and age when negativity abounds, it's a good reminder to keep our chins up, dream big, and keep pounding the keyboard! Don't give up.
October 16, 2018
Bell writes some fine books about writing, but this is a fluff piece. He seems to have problems showing up and producing words, I have actual areas of deficiency to overcome.
His platitudes and quotes don't fire me up at all. Some of his advice is bad for me, like carry a pen and notebook in case inspiration strikes. Inspiration strikes me about every five seconds, and I have boxes of moleskins documenting ideas that will never see print. Wasn't it King who said the good ideas stick with you? Funny how Bell quotes King in some areas and contradicts in others.
I only read the first half, but I 'm confident that "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield, is light years ahead on this aspect of #writinglife.
His platitudes and quotes don't fire me up at all. Some of his advice is bad for me, like carry a pen and notebook in case inspiration strikes. Inspiration strikes me about every five seconds, and I have boxes of moleskins documenting ideas that will never see print. Wasn't it King who said the good ideas stick with you? Funny how Bell quotes King in some areas and contradicts in others.
I only read the first half, but I 'm confident that "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield, is light years ahead on this aspect of #writinglife.
September 18, 2016
This book helped me past my burnout. .
I picked this book up to help me overcome a severe case of burnout . the fear of failure gripped me at 93% completion of a WIP. I couldn't find a way to push past the paralysis. I learned and implemented some new tricks and was able to finish my 6th book. And I will use this book as a resource to revise/edit and publish it. This will be a go to resource.
I picked this book up to help me overcome a severe case of burnout . the fear of failure gripped me at 93% completion of a WIP. I couldn't find a way to push past the paralysis. I learned and implemented some new tricks and was able to finish my 6th book. And I will use this book as a resource to revise/edit and publish it. This will be a go to resource.
November 13, 2016
Full of good tips for writers at all stages of their careers.
September 21, 2021
It's a nice pep talk for writers, a kind of a self-help book. although a little too much American-oriented and commercial success as a goal, I really like the catching enthusiasm and validation of the author.
Read
April 30, 2017This book is great for people who are thinking about becoming writers - it provides a nice introduction.
June 14, 2021
Good info, even if you've heard it before in different words.
October 25, 2025
As with any chosen field, there are pitfalls and times when frustration creeps in and threatens to foul up all the good things one has accomplished. I felt that before some major upheaval entered my life, I will get my set of pom-poms and get my rah-rah voice in the ready/set position.
Silly me. I forgot this was a James Scott Bell book.
While the author addresses some of the mental creatures that may try to enter your mind and control your thoughts, most of the answers focus on positive activities that will help keep writers on track. There are also chapters that explain the scientific aspects as to why Mr. Bell's suggestions work. One of my favorites was the chapter on creativity, which demonstrated that the more you brainstorm different solutions, the better your answers become (which goes way beyond the usual suggestion of not to take the first thought that comes to your mind). The chapter on growth encourages writers to rate your skills in seven areas: plot, structure, characters, scenes, dialogue, voice, and meaning (or theme). Take your lowest rated skill and design a six-week self-study program. In a little more than a year, one could gain skills and take your writing to another level.
Definitely a book to return to on a regular basis. Five stars.
Silly me. I forgot this was a James Scott Bell book.
While the author addresses some of the mental creatures that may try to enter your mind and control your thoughts, most of the answers focus on positive activities that will help keep writers on track. There are also chapters that explain the scientific aspects as to why Mr. Bell's suggestions work. One of my favorites was the chapter on creativity, which demonstrated that the more you brainstorm different solutions, the better your answers become (which goes way beyond the usual suggestion of not to take the first thought that comes to your mind). The chapter on growth encourages writers to rate your skills in seven areas: plot, structure, characters, scenes, dialogue, voice, and meaning (or theme). Take your lowest rated skill and design a six-week self-study program. In a little more than a year, one could gain skills and take your writing to another level.
Definitely a book to return to on a regular basis. Five stars.
July 28, 2016
Nothing about craft in here. This is all about the vital mental game. Envy, fear, writers block, procrastination -advice for all these and more. Structured in short chapters, easy to pick up and read in 2 minutes a pop. If you have fears, worries and emotions churning inside you when you write, this book is for you. I learned a lot.
August 7, 2016
I will probably read this book again and take notes. He has a few chapters were there are some "to do's". For my first read through, this was great. James has a way of bringing things dow to a level where I can understand them. I don't know highbrow fiction writing or outlining terms. All I know is sitting down at the laptop and writing a story.
November 5, 2016
Had some good insight
Not my favorite book of his,but still intriguing. Gave plenty of advice on many subjects revolving around writing and how to advance your skills.
Not my favorite book of his,but still intriguing. Gave plenty of advice on many subjects revolving around writing and how to advance your skills.
February 12, 2018
I’m on Bell’s email list and he did a promo when this was published with a lower price for early buyers. Woot.
It’s as if he’s taken all his good advice and jammed it into ONE book.
I can’t quite believe how many gems of wisdom there is here. I marked dozens of passages as I really struggle with mindset.
One thing that comforted me very much was this part:
I often work on more than one project at a time… so it was neat to see someone else confess that.
Also this:
Oh thank God, I have a quarter of that many ideas and I thought I was cracking apart.
He talks of the self publishing gold rush in 2008-9.
Never heard of him. I just looked him up on kindlespy and he’s making maybe $60k a month on Amazon US alone publishing thrillers. Good choice, Barry.
He also talks of his Nifty 350. (Catchy eh?) He aims to write that many words as early in the day as he can; if it’s more, great.
He advises against looking for external validation, and tying it against your own well being, because you probably won’t get it. It’s not every author who gets their hardback in the local bookshop. If that’s what your expectations are, you may never reach them.
But you can make a nice living on just ebooks. What’s your definition of success?
He also reminds people that writing is not a zero sum game. When someone else gets published or has success, they aren’t stealing from you.
Full of exercises, advice, and inspiring quotes.
Carpe typum Seize the keyboard.
5 stars
It’s as if he’s taken all his good advice and jammed it into ONE book.
I can’t quite believe how many gems of wisdom there is here. I marked dozens of passages as I really struggle with mindset.
One thing that comforted me very much was this part:
On this corkboard I have 18 index cards with my writing projects on them . These projects are in various stages , but I can see them every day.(p. 24).
I often work on more than one project at a time… so it was neat to see someone else confess that.
Also this:
Be like a movie studio . Have one greenlighted project going ( what we call your work - in - progress , or WIP ) and have two or three “ in development ” and two or three “ optioned . ”
By optioned I mean having a simple What if premise that seems promising to you. I have a file with about 100 of these, and periodically I look them over and re-prioritize them. If one keeps sticking to the top of the heap, that’s the one I will move into development. You should always have a work in progress (WIP) and four other works in various stages of development. When you finish your WIP, take the most promising of your developed projects and put that on the front burner. (p. 55).
Oh thank God, I have a quarter of that many ideas and I thought I was cracking apart.
He talks of the self publishing gold rush in 2008-9.
Barry Eisler had just walked away from a $500,000 traditional contract to strike out on his own.)(p. 72).
Never heard of him. I just looked him up on kindlespy and he’s making maybe $60k a month on Amazon US alone publishing thrillers. Good choice, Barry.
He also talks of his Nifty 350. (Catchy eh?) He aims to write that many words as early in the day as he can; if it’s more, great.
He advises against looking for external validation, and tying it against your own well being, because you probably won’t get it. It’s not every author who gets their hardback in the local bookshop. If that’s what your expectations are, you may never reach them.
But you can make a nice living on just ebooks. What’s your definition of success?
A long time ago , when I was first living in New York trying to become an actor , I suffered greatly from this need for approval . It haunted me . I kept chasing it . It was always out of my reach . Then one day I got a piece of advice from someone which has stayed with me ever since . This person told me : What other people think of you is none of your business . (p. 98).
He also reminds people that writing is not a zero sum game. When someone else gets published or has success, they aren’t stealing from you.
Full of exercises, advice, and inspiring quotes.
Carpe typum Seize the keyboard.
5 stars
March 30, 2018
Muy buen libro sobre las bases mentales que debe tener un escritor hoy en día. Me ha gustado mucho porque cubre todo el espectro de situaciones en las que se puede encontrar un escritor (bloqueo, desilusión, euforía...) y va dando consejos y pautas para encarrilar tu estado de ánimo y volver al buen camino. Cierto, son consejos que luego son evidentes, pero la clave no está en un truco mágico o comportamiento milagroso, sino en tener la voluntad para hacer el trabajo y para conseguirla, este libro te será de mucha ayuda.
June 23, 2020
Lots of helpful exercises, advice, and wonderful quotes (there’s an entire section just filled with quotes it was amazing). The easy-going delivery made this a fun read.
Came across one or two concepts/exercises that were new to me, which I was somewhat disappointed by because I was hoping for more, but hey “if I can learn just one thing—or get a slightly fresh take on something I already know—it’s worth it to me.” (-This book, Kindle, pg. 26)
Came across one or two concepts/exercises that were new to me, which I was somewhat disappointed by because I was hoping for more, but hey “if I can learn just one thing—or get a slightly fresh take on something I already know—it’s worth it to me.” (-This book, Kindle, pg. 26)
June 12, 2022
I found a few helpful tips, and James Scott Bell's writing how-to books always include a good dose of humour. For me this felt like an overview perhaps best suited for those new to writing--not that writers ever stop needing to learn more, just that I didn't find a lot of practical application depth in this one. This isn't a book I'll reread, but I do want to take those few tips and make use of them.
December 31, 2022
"The Mental Game of Writing: How to Overcome Obstacles, Stay Creative and Productive, and Free Your Mind for Success" by James Scott Bell
This small book packs a punch! This book helps a writer with many different ways and inspiration. I find it helped and is must for a writer's shelf. With other resources listed, its a well of information. My only complaint is it's a tad too short. Maybe another fifty pages would be great or a sequel.
I give it 5/5 stars!
This small book packs a punch! This book helps a writer with many different ways and inspiration. I find it helped and is must for a writer's shelf. With other resources listed, its a well of information. My only complaint is it's a tad too short. Maybe another fifty pages would be great or a sequel.
I give it 5/5 stars!
May 6, 2024
Helpful and practical tips
This was a fast, fun read for me. I enjoyed a lot of the tips and advice and took quite a few notes. There is plenty here I find relatable and things/methods I've already used but there was plenty that I took away that I could consider when I need it. I didn't skim through this book either and for my personal reading style that says something. Worth reading!
This was a fast, fun read for me. I enjoyed a lot of the tips and advice and took quite a few notes. There is plenty here I find relatable and things/methods I've already used but there was plenty that I took away that I could consider when I need it. I didn't skim through this book either and for my personal reading style that says something. Worth reading!
February 14, 2018
An excellent book with some good practical exercises. James Scott Bell is a well-versed writer who has a great body of work out there. He writes in an easy to read style and provides insights from his own experiences. This is a man, who has been there, done that ,in the hard-fought road to recognition as a writer. I highly recommend this short book to any writer.
August 10, 2019
Bell's advice can not only be applied to writing, but to life in general too. It feels like you're reading a summarized commentary of Bhagavad Gita (not that I have anything against it; in fact I enjoyed it). His words soothe you, motivate you and help you to become a better writer and a better person.
August 18, 2019
Total fluff piece. Read anything else and you'll get more perspective and actionable advice.
Seems more like a cash grab from Bell than anything else. Half the book is him quoting long passages from others.
Check the resources in the back and read those books, but don't waste your time or money on this book.
Seems more like a cash grab from Bell than anything else. Half the book is him quoting long passages from others.
Check the resources in the back and read those books, but don't waste your time or money on this book.
May 20, 2017
Here's your freaking metaphor:
Some writing books are off-brand cheese puffs, some are ice cream, some are mashed lima beans, and some are gourmet three-course meals.
This one is an apple fresh off the tree.
Some writing books are off-brand cheese puffs, some are ice cream, some are mashed lima beans, and some are gourmet three-course meals.
This one is an apple fresh off the tree.
November 26, 2017
James Scott Bell always offers a reliable voice of experience. In The Mental Game of Writing, he reminds us to exercise our creativity, to develop a Unique Writer Proposition, and to concentrate on what is within our power as writers. It's easy to get discouraged, but when we channel that energy into productive practices and skill development, we win the mental game. Definitely worth a read.
November 28, 2023
The Mental Game of Writing is a great book for the writer. James Scott Bell has some great suggestions for the person who wants to think like a writer and this book is full of fun and encouraging ideas.
March 22, 2024
Packed with great advice and talks about a lot of issues I've not yet seen being talked about in books about the writing craft. It'll certainly be a book I'll read multiple times through the years when things are getting tough.
July 13, 2017
Most helpful (and humorous) craft book I've ever read. On par with Stephen King's ON WRITING. I couldn't put it down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews