Calling this series of contests I'm running in December a writing contest is a bit like calling an ant a giant. Or a common housecat a tiger. Because, all you have to to win is write a comment. One tiny little comment. You don't have to write a story, or an essay, or an article, or a novel. Just one wee comment!
Easy enough. 
So are you ready for the announcement of this week's prize?
It's a copy of the seminal book on creativity, The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. I believe that everyone should have a copy of this book on their reference shelf and read it often. In the book, first written in the 90s, Julia exploded many myths about creativity, offered a road map for uncovering your own, and in the process wrote the bible on the subject. All these years later, it holds up.
Why the focus on creativity on a blog about writing? Because, here's the deal: you can be the best flippin' writer in the world, but if you don't figure out techniques to sit your butt down in the chair and write, your words will never see the light of day. For many writers, getting to the page is far and away the biggest battle they face.
Which is why I write so often about motivation and inspiration on this blog. And why I press The Artist's Way on anybody who has not read it.
On the off chance that you have a copy of the book on your shelf (good for you) I'll send you a gift certificate from Amazon for the amount of the book.
So, if you would like to win the book (or its equivalent gift certificate) answer this question in the comments: what is your favorite writing or creativity book?
PS: The winner of last week's contest was Sandra Pawula, of the blog Always Well Within. Sandra, contact me for info about the teleclass.
Doni Wilson
Charlotte–you are the best! I am always inspired by your posts!
Love,
Doni
Charlotte Dixon
Doni, my dear friend, I love you and miss you! Hope you and Christopher had a great Christmas.
Zan Marie
Wow, Charlotte! That’s one book I don’t have. For some reason I think it’d fit among my copies of Bird by Bird, The War of Art, and On Writing.
Of course, that is if a previous week’s winner can be in the drawing again. No problems if I’m not included. I’m enjoying the fountain pens. ; )
J.D. Frost
No doubling up, Zan Marie! It’s like Bob Barker winning The Price is Right. Charlotte, I was a good boy during Christmas week–some will say it was not by choice. Doesn’t good behavior, even if it is unintentional, deserve a reward? Sign me up.
Charlotte Dixon
Zan Marie, I’m so pleased you are enjoying the pens! And of course I’ll enter you in this week’s contest–you’ve been mighty lucky lately, so maybe your luck will hold!
J.D., I bet you were a very good boy, seeing as how Christmas was coming up. In my book, good behavior always deserves a reward precisely because it is so hard to do. Hopefully the gods of random selection will agree with you.
Debbie Maxwell Allen
I love Bird by Bird, and On Writing. I could read them over and over!
~Debbie
Charlotte Dixon
Debbie,Bird by Bird is a great one! I often recommend that book to my students.
Cheryl Reifsnyder
Hi Charlotte–I love this book! I need to go through it again; it’s a great exercise for the New Year, don’t you think?
Charlotte Dixon
Hi Cheryl! That’s a brilliant idea, it has been awhile since I’ve gone all the way through the book. I refer to bits and pieces of it often, though.
Fred Tracy
Looks like I missed another contest! I am going to say the Power of Now, even though it’s a spiritual book, because it’s helped me more with my creativity than any other book, or every other book combined really. It’s so awesome!
Charlotte Dixon
Nope, Fred, you’re on time for this one. I’ll enter you in the drawing. I love all of Tolle’s books and totally agree with you that spiritual books can be so important to creativity.