How to use this Page

On Monday, February 13, 2012, Seth Godin published a piece entitled “The End of Paper Changes Everything“ for The Domino Project. The premise of the piece was that “[n]ot just a few things, but everything about the book and the book business is transformed by the end of paper.” In fact, Godin boldly declared “the book itself is changed.” He’s absolutely right.

My definition of a book has always revolved around its tangible form. To me, a book is made up of a cover, title, paper, weight. But that’s not going to be the case for much longer. The birth of the e-book forces us to answer Godin’s contentious question: “What makes something a book?”

If we take away a book’s physicality, then what we’re left with is its foundation. The parts that make up a book’s substance. A book will now be defined by its characters, plot, themes, setting, message. Perhaps, a book will become what it was always meant to be: A story.

However, this leads us to yet another conundrum: If a book isn’t bound by the restrictions of its physical form, does that mean its storytelling potential is limitless. You tell me.

For those of you who have been reading the blog for awhile, you already know how much I adore a book called The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. I have a blog post that has some excellent gems from the book. It’s a definite must-read for any writer who may find themselves stuck.

So I was really giddy when I found out the author has just published a new book called Do The Work. What’s even more fabulous is that it’s currently available as a free e-book download (Amazon Kindle version)

About writing that first draft:
“Suspending self-judgment doesn’t just mean blowing off the ‘You suck’ voice in our heads. It also means liberating ourselves from conventional expectations — from what we think our work ‘ought’ to be or ‘should’ look like.”

Hitting the wall after smooth sailing:
“We’re poised at the brink of a creative breakthrough and we can’t stand it. The prospect of success looms. We freak. Why did we start this project? We must have been insane. Who encouraged us? What want to wring their necks. Where are they now?”

Ha, ha. I love this quote. Too funny and TOO true.

On getting validation on our work:
“We can’t tell whether we’re doing great or falling on our faces. When we finish, if we do, no one will be waiting to congratulate us. We’ll get no champagne, no beach party, no diploma, no insignia.”

Check out the Domino Project blog where the author talks more about the book. And the author’s blog is something you should also check out with the Writing Wednesday features.

You should really take advantage of the free Amazon Kindle download while the offer lasts. The book is a great read and can give you the right type of “umph” to finish your novel project.