Every writer hears the term "writer's block" and shudders.
It seems every person who loves to write will sooner or later find themselves at a point of intense frustration where the words they are searching for simply dry up.
Enter local author Margreet Dietz and her book A Work in Progress.
Her new publication is designed to cleverly take readers on the writing journey and to inspire them to move forward on their own projects.
Dietz said she was inspired to write her book after speaking to others about writing.
"So often people tell me that they'd love to write a book and most of those people are not professional writers," said Dietz.
"I strongly believe everyone has a story worth telling. Many people are keen to write their memoirs, often for family alone rather than for publication, while others want to write a book to share their professional experience. I also believe anyone can write a book if they choose to do so - it is simple, but it is not easy."
Dietz lives in Squamish and has worked as a journalist for more than 13 years, including nearly eight years for Bloomberg News in Brussels, Toronto and Sydney.
She wrote Running Shoes Are a Girl's Best Friend - an inspirational book about 53 women who run - and Powered From Within: Stories About Running & Triathlon.
Her third book, A Work in Progress, started as a personal challenge for Dietz, one that helped her win the struggle of writing her first book, Running Shoes Are a Girl's Best Friend.
Combining advice and encouragement from her favourite books on writing, she committed to producing 2,000 words a day for 10 consecutive days.
She wrote for quantity and found the result had potential quality. This inspired her to write a book on writing.
"Unlike my previous two books which contain stories about others as a vehicle to express my desire to encourage people who are interested in running and triathlon, this book is firsthand and personal," said Dietz.
"I believe this was a breakthrough effort for me because it makes the transition from reporting, as I have done professionally since 1996 from three continents, to a more personal form of authorship and providing first-hand advice.
"Interestingly, I have since heard from readers that they also find general life lessons, not just related to authorship, in the book and enjoy it for that reason."
The 33 exercises in this book encourage writers to expand their minds, to get motivated and to look at their own journey in writing.
To make this a smooth process, Dietz guides the reader along the way, peppering each section with her own personal story and anecdotes.
This book is easy to read, not bogged down with technical words, and the only requirement asked of readers is a willingness to try the exercises and to write.
Her books are available from the Squamish Public Library.
