The following review was contributed by: RACHEL NEWCOMBE

Every writer dreads coming down with a bad case of writer's block. It plays havoc with normal writing routines, and can cause stress, sleepless nights and worry. The good news is - there is a cure!

Get yourself a copy of Outwitting Writer's Block and Other Problems of the Pen, by Jenna Glatzer. The book deals with the pesky issue of writer's block in a new light, from offering insight into what it is and why it occurs, to examining ways of tackling it and getting back to the all-important act of writing. Jenna uncovers the common myths, such as the idea that you should write every day, isolate yourself and write about what you know, turning them on their head and suggesting new ways of creating your own rules and getting back to writing.

Unlike other similar titles, the author writes with humour, adding a much-needed lighter touch to topics that can sometimes seem mundane. Interspersed throughout the text are prompts and exercises to do but, again, not the types that you may have encountered before in other publications. These exercises are all fun and inspirational, presenting new ideas and methods..you may even find yourself wanting to do them whether you're blocked or not!

Jenna's style of writing is, as always, fantastic. The book is friendly, down-to-earth, funny and insightful. She communicates her ideas clearly and concisely, yet with a constantly witty edge, making readers feel like she's personally chatting to them. I loved the concept of the ""ugly notebook"" - Jenna believes that the prettier your notebook is, the more pressured you'll feel to fill it with great, important things, which certainly rings true for me.

Overall, it's an excellent book on an important topic. Everyone (whether they admit it or not) gets days when it's hard to put pen to paper, or fingers to keys, and this is a great antidote to a frustrating problem. Not only will you feel like Outwitting Writer's Block was written for you, it's one book you'll want to keep and treasure (not lend around) and refer back to if future crisis points arise.