I can't believe this item hasn't garnered at least one review by this point - it was both humorous (in a self-deprecating way that was very appropriate in the context of the letter) and persuasive, while simultaneously following the rules of the contest (even down to the word count)! Surely the recipients must never have expected it coming, especially when they already took the time and effort to painstakingly outline the finer points of their patented Hard Work system at this time last year. But anyway, I personally fully sympathize with the swindled customer, because I too have found that imposing deadlines on myself often does more harm than good. Sometimes the inspiration simply isn't there, no matter how much I want it to be. At other times, though, it may suddenly appear out of nowhere, occasionally during inconvenient times, but when it does, the results can be amazing. I am reminded of the apocryphal tale of how Beethoven essentially made up the "Moonlight Sonata" all at once while performing in person for a blind young woman and her brother at their house - then after that, he had to rush back to his home and write out the score in case he forgot it later! And this principle applies to writing as well as music - as long as it's a creative endeavor, it can never be "forced".

Honestly, this piece is excellent as it is, but I was thinking that the customer could potentially use this very argument - that writing is purely a product of the human soul/psyche (emphasis on 'human') - and cite it to definitively show that his new system is far superior, and is probably a lot more likely to yield positive results. He could then contrast it with the way the Hard Work system was presented in the last letter - it was portrayed almost as a machine, or algorithm-based operator that worked mechanically instead - and conclude with saying that that description is just about the farthest thing from accurately depicting the writing process. Maybe he could even take it a step further and say that more often than not, careful planning ends up going straight to the trash because sometimes, writing can take unexpected turns, and that this is all part of the fun, the latter of which the Hard Work system unfortunately seems to eliminate completely. (If you've ever written - or attempted to write - a novel before, you'll know what I mean...) But I digress. This was certainly an enjoyable read, and I sincerely hope it does well in the official contest!

My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .