Here you are. Stuck. Can't write. And other than writing the same few words, sentences, or several sentences over and over, you have nothing to say. You can turn to any articles or books you own or have borrowed to look for writing suggestions. There are some useful ones in THE POCKET IDIOT'S GUIDE TO BEATING WRITER'S BLOCK. Maybe there's one or more there that can help you and you will be moving along.

Still, writer's block does not disappear once and for all. It is sometimes even a useful opportunity. An opportunity to visualize a writing future. Having a goal to reach for is often a helpful way to move through a problem, or around a problem.

If you're a novelist, beginning or seasoned, you can imagine what it is like for you to have your novel completed. It's extremely important that you visualize this event in the present. As if it is happening now. This is what gives the power to the image.

I remember when I began writing the novel I just completed I visualized myself sitting with a completed manuscript. I saw the joy on my face, and felt it throughout my body, as I held the "mental" pages in my hands. It was a wonderful experience. Each day that I wrote, I worked towards achieving that outcome.

As a writing coach, I worked with someone who was writing a screenplay for the first time. What he kept in mind was seeing his script being shot. Seeing the actors reading the lines that he had written. He saw himself physically there as the filming was going on. The pleasure he felt from that image he described as "thrilling." He kept this image with him each time he sat down to write at his scheduled times, several times a week, while he maintained his full time job.

Another person I worked with visualized herself in the university teaching position she wanted once her dissertation was complete. She saw herself continuing to do research and write on the topic of interest to her. She saw herself talking about her research with colleagues and guiding students in their research. The more vivid the image was for her, the more motivated she was to continue to work on her dissertation.

Someone else with whom I worked created a visual collage of the outcome she wanted so that each time she sat down to write, wherever she wrote, she had the collage with her. She kept it prominently in view as she did her writing. She found that the collage energized her writing.

The power of the future to move us through the present cannot be underestimated. Why not work on creating a compelling future for yourself? Or letting the compelling future you have work on your behalf? See yourself with that writing project completed. Having what you want because the project is completed. See it and feel it as if it is real right now. So it can drive you to get where you want to go.

Betsy Landau is a licensed psychologist, life and writing coach, adjunct professor of psychology, author, and publisher. Her recent book Mirabelle's Memoirs: a feline tale is available at her website and on amazon.com. Her passion is helping people change their lives. To find out more about coaching with Betsy Landau, and to sign up for her free newsletter, go to http://www.betsylandau.com