Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued

Book excerpt: We've all been there. The words just won't come out right, or at all. We get halfway into a creative project and then unexpectedly run out of steam. We get nervous about something we're passionate about and put down the paintbrush or turn off the computer. "Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued" is about understanding blocks in the creative process and getting to the bottom of what causes them. Author Susan O'Doherty, a psychotherapist specializing in helping artists of all sorts get unstuck, says that many of the things that block us are gender-specific: women's fear of success; competing in male-dominated fields; the stress of trying to do serious creative work while holding down a job and, often, caring for a family. Procrastination, a problem for women and men, also gets its due. With the proper tools, however, she assures us that we can regain control over our creative lives. This practical and accessible guide uses case studies from O'Doherty's practice, straightforward advice, and helpful exercises to help women nurture their creativity.