“To become a successful writer you have to do two things. First, you have to toss your TV out the window. Second, you have to marry someone rich.”

These are the words of my first creative writing teacher.

It was good advice, especially the TV part, but I think he could have added one more item to the list. Avoid Crazymakers.

Julie Cameron, in her book, The Artist’s Way, describes Crazymakers as “those personalities that create storm centers. They are often charismatic, frequently charming, highly inventive, and powerfully persuasive. And,” she adds, “for the creative person in their vicinity, they are enormously destructive. You know the type: charismatic but out of control, long on problems and short on solutions.”

In short, they will sabotage your writing time. Continue reading →