Writer's block
Subject in Books
Writer's block has come up in 1 episode across 1 podcast in TMT, including The Tim Ferriss Show. 2 people have made recorded remarks about it.
What people said
Seth GodinAmerican author of Purple Cow
Godin proposes replacing "just do it" with "merely do the work," without narration or catastrophizing.
“The alternative is to replace the word just with the word merely. Merely do the work”
The Tim Ferriss Show: #878: How to Start When You're Stuck, Finish What You Begin, and Stop Waiting for Inspiration — Creative Advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Lamott and More (Aug 5, 2026) · Listen from 49:45
Godin argues that writer's block is really a fear of bad writing and of the world's reaction to it.
“Writer's block is real, but it does not exist. What it really is, is misnamed, I have a fear of bad writing”
The Tim Ferriss Show: #878: How to Start When You're Stuck, Finish What You Begin, and Stop Waiting for Inspiration — Creative Advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Lamott and More (Aug 5, 2026) · Listen from 47:15
Joyce Carol OatesAmerican author whose story Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? inspired Tremblay
Oates argues that writers create their mood by working rather than waiting for inspiration.
“No, I definitely feel that you create your mood by working. And I have a sort of work ethic”
The Tim Ferriss Show: #878: How to Start When You're Stuck, Finish What You Begin, and Stop Waiting for Inspiration — Creative Advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Lamott and More (Aug 5, 2026) · Listen from 14:02
Podcasts
- The Tim Ferriss Show · 1 episode
Episodes
#878: How to Start When You're Stuck, Finish What You Begin, and Stop Waiting for Inspiration — Creative Advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Lamott and MoreThe Tim Ferriss Show · Aug 5, 2026 · 59 min
Tim Ferriss compiles writing advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, Anne Lamott, Joyce Carol Oates, Jerry Seinfeld, Mary Karr, Brandon Sanderson and Seth Godin on starting, persisting and finishing.