Creativity for Free

Tonight my Artist's Way class (led by the ridiculously talented and beautiful, Caroline O'Brien) discussed risks and the fact that we don't take creative risks because we want to be guaranteed a positive outcome.

Sound familiar?

Julia Cameron, in Finding Water, writes, "We think that  risks have to be large and noteworthy.  We want a payoff  in terms of our career. In order to free up our creativity, we need to be able to do some creativity for free,that is, with no guaranteed outcome.  We need to practice some creativity that is not goal-oriented. Put simply, we need to let ourselves play."

Ears perking up? Good.

So what small creative risks will you allow yourself to pursue this week?

Grab a pen and scribble the five tiny risks you will take towards playing.

I'll share mine. Perhaps that will get you going ...

1. Paint my toes bright blue
2. Write a blog post in voice of my character
3.  Bake my favorite childhood cake: chocolate with chocolate fudge frosting
4. Write a blog post about taking creative risks (check!)
5. I will spend time at a children's book store for the pure joy of it


Got creativity?

Yah you do.
Play your heart out and post any risks you took.




"It is making of art, not the reception of your art that makes you an artist"

Letting Go and...Letting Your Character Be

How easy I forget.

I forget again and again.

Writing is not a one shot, sit at your desk, and flesh out your entire story deal.

I forget that characters reveal themselves slowly, very s l o w l y.

Back story is their story.  So better take a back seat and listen.



My writer's tip for better listening...

1. Walk away from your computer.
2. Grab a pen and paper
3. Go outside and sit somewhere your character would sit
4. Now write a letter to yourself in voice of your character.

Be open.
Be present.
Be interested.

You'll like what you hear.


Listening to the voices that tell their individual stories
is what we authors do.

Let go.  Let be.

Enjoy.

Timeline: 30 Years of Liberating Lit

 Got banned books?

Checkout this beautiful resource from the ALA website, Banned Books Week.
Use in the classroom, at home with your children, or to simply understand how the fight to liberate literature continues...

Read on!



http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/timeline30-years-liberating-literature

Banned Books Week

I am in LOVE.
With books.

Today was a great day in publishing.
32 new titles were unveiled.
A birthday book bash to remember.

I find it fitting that Banned Books Week coincides with today's release date.
Love it, in fact.

If you find yourself in need of a little Banned Books enthusiasm, I leave with this gorgeous video.

It says it all.


http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/node/20