Writers use all kinds of ways to help themselves get past that dreaded writers-block which seems to afflict us all. Now there is a book by Jennifer J. Wilhoit, about this problem. “Writing on the Landscape” addresses ways to help writers get back on track.

Wilhoit suggests ways to relax your inner voice so that you, the writer, can get back to being creative. But these practices, as she calls them, can apply to everyone’s life.

Have you ever had a day so stressful that you’d like to just stop the day and start over with a new one? People who have pets find just cuddling or petting their dog or cat can be cathartic.

Or, what about the feeling of rubbing your hand on the top of newly mown grass. The smell and feel of the grass passing along your palm can be immensely soothing. These are the kinds of practices she reminds us of, that can help so much. They are not complicated and are easily found remedies in nature.

This book has other suggestions of things that can sooth the sad or troubled thoughts and get oneself back to being more positive, calm and productive.

They have been called “…nature-fueled philosophy” — ways that can give “(the) wholeness we feel when (we) engage in a simple, easy practice,” like those that are in her book.

Here, on the Kitsap Peninsula, we are so lucky to have walking trails that will lead us by the water’s edge of the Puget Sound or the Hood Canal or even Buck Lake. There are also thick tree-covered trails, or hikes across landscapes that afford views of the mountains. All of these paths could start the happy and creative juices working, get our souls out of the doldrums and bring us back to our happy place.

“Writing on the Landscape” has many suggestions of ways to remind us that the earth is here for us to appreciate and love. This is a very uplifting book for everyone to read.

Wilhoit will be discussing her book at several places locally in the coming months. Here’s her schedule:

2 p.m. Dec. 9, reading and book signing at Barnes & Noble, Silverdale.

2 p.m. Jan. 7, a reading and signing at Liberty Bay Books, Poulsbo.

7 p.m. Jan. 11, a reading and signing Eagle Harbor Books, Bainbridge Island.

Just a reminder: go to the Kitsap Library site at http://www.krl.org, and check out what is happening at the library closest to you. These are a few events I found:

Bainbridge Island Friends of the Library book sale Dec. 2 and Dec. 9. Starts at 10 a.m.

Bremerton Downtown Library book sale on Dec. 5 and 7 at 2 p.m.

Silverdale Friends of the Library book sale Dec. 9 and Dec. 11 at 10 a.m.

Kingston Library book sale Dec. 2 at 2 p.m.

And on Dec. 2 beginning at 2 p.m., Santa will be on hand at the Sylvan Way Library for free pictures.

– Donna Lee Anderson writes a weekly literary column for Kitsap Weekly. You can email her at welltoldtales@aol.com.