The Myth of the “Creative Type”
I recently read an article online that echoed what I’ve heard from several other sources lately: that only certain blessed souls are creative, and everyone else is stuck living an uncreative life. I was horrified when I read not only the assertion that not everyone is creative, but also the follow-up statement, which said that if you’re not creative, there’s “nothing you can do about it.” It would be easy to single one author out for espousing this idea, but the fact is that a lot of people believe that...
read moreFinding Your Vision
As I mentioned in my newsletter recently, vision is one of those things that frequently lands in the verbal morass of “corporate-speak” and loses all meaning. “What’s your vision?” does not mean “What’s your plan?” Vision is more than that; it’s a plan mingled with a daydream combined with hope and creativity, and a little willingness. I’ve seen this for myself this year as I’ve re-envisioned my living space, not just in getting rid of things I don’t need anymore, but also...
read moreCharades
A few weeks ago, as I mentioned here, I went on a women’s retreat that was offered by my church. I was a little bit nervous, not only because I’d never done anything like that before and I was leaving a large number of boxes and other assorted post-carpet mess behind, but because I was pretty sure I was only barely acquainted with anyone else who would be going. (My social circle there is fairly small at the moment, which is part of why I wanted to attend.) And I’d have a roommate, which is always a bit of a crapshoot. As it...
read morePerfect Imperfection
I won’t even try to guess how many people have watched one or both of Brené Brown’s TED talks. (If you haven’t, be sure to check them out!) I first encountered her TEDx Houston talk a year or so ago, and almost immediately ordered a copy of I Thought It Was Just Me. I never got the whole way through it, I admit, due partly to circumstance and partly to the book being more dense than I expected it to be. Then I found out about The Gifts of Imperfection, and got that one for my Kindle. I finally started reading it while I was...
read moreInterview: Cindy Lynn Speer
This month, I am so excited to introduce you to my dear friend and fellow author, Cindy Lynn Speer. Cindy writes wonderful short and long fiction, mostly fantasy and murder mystery inspired by fairy tale and myth. When she’s not busy doing those, she is active in her local chapter of Society of Creative Anachronism, where she makes beautiful period clothing and is an active fencer. You can visit her at www.apenandfire.com. Cindy, how would you describe yourself as an author? I’ve been telling stories all my life. I love words, and...
read moreRetreat!
I’m going on a weekend retreat tomorrow. I’ve never done this before, so I’m curious to see what it’ll be like. I’m going to be leading a SoulCollage® workshop while I’m there, but am also hoping to get a chance to walk a labyrinth (I’ve always wanted to!) and get to know some of my fellow retreaters. Part of me thinks I’m nuts to go away this weekend. My new carpet was installed on Monday, and I’m still unpacking boxes (though I’m impressed with how much has already been restored to...
read moreRenewal and Rebirth
Happy April! Everywhere I look, things are coming back to life—trees are blossoming, flowers are coming up, people are leaving coats and jackets behind. It feels like you can breathe again (unless, of course, you’re a seasonal allergy sufferer, in which case your troubles are likely just beginning, alas!). Despite the fact that we didn’t really have much in the way of a winter, spring is still very welcome. Of course, spring brings with it the extended metaphor of renewal and rebirth, especially in springtime celebrations and...
read moreWriting and Merchandising
Unless you have been on vacation to Antarctica recently, you’ve probably heard of The Hunger Games. The first book in the extremely popular Young Adult trilogy has been turned into a movie, which opened this past weekend. It’s probably the most anticipated film of the year, at least in the minds of marketers. I imagine their customers are eating up their wares, but even if they’re not, those wares certainly have been a big topic of conversation. A colleague suspects this is now movies make their money now, and I suppose she...
read moreArt and Truth
I find myself blogging from an unexpected mental place this week. Normally, I want creativity and art to be exactly that, without limits. I may not like what you create, but I’ll defend to the death your right to create it, and all that (within reason—anything that harms someone else, for instance, crosses my line). This week, I learned of the long and fascinating story of a man named Jim Fingal, fact-checker for The Believer, and the twisting route he was led on by the work of author John D’Agata. The New York Times wrote about...
read moreMeet Emily Townsend
I am fascinated by the ways in which people work, and how those ways differ from form to form and from person to person. As a result, I’ve decided to start asking people questions about their creative processes and dreams. This post is the first in a series of interviews I’m hoping to feature at least once a month profiling creative people of all stripes. (If you’re interested in being profiled, please get in touch!) Emily Townsend is a mixed media artist who lives in Colorado. She’s developed a wonderfully beautiful...
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