Dear Creativity...Let's Write: Recent Episodes
Amy Isaman
Have you got a dream to write a book? Have you begun or did you get started only to write yourself directly into a deep dark plot hole with no way out? Uh oh - that’s no fun. This show helps you get your book written and become a better writer in the process. In each episode, author & book coach Amy Isaman shares practical tips and encouragement on both the overall writing process and the craft of writing to help you keep going and finally write “the end.” You’ll also find occasional interviews with writers and authors who share their writerly wisdom. The Dear Creativity, Let’s Write Podcast is for both brand new writers who are just beginning to get their story out of their heads and onto the page and seasoned authors looking for some inspiration and ideas to improve their own writing and creative process.
Meet Margaret McNellisMargaret McNellis, MFA, M.A. is the author of the Heroes of Sherwood series, an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach who specializes in adding a dash of magick to her writers’ journeys, and a solo eclectic intuitive witch with a tarot/oracle deck addiction. She has a podcast–The Magickal Bard–which discusses the intersection of magick and writing. Margaret’s flagship course, Your Next Book, helps writers plan or fix their stories with the tarot.
Connect with Margaret McNellis* Margaret on Instagram * Margaret on Twitter * Margaret’s Website
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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In this episode, we discussed:* 3-card spread – where the protagonist is now, what’s an action they can take, what’s the outcome going to be * 1-card spread for a character – what is the character striving for? or what does this character fear? * Margaret’s “Your Next Book” 9-card spread for planning out a novel – she mentions ths spread throughout the episode and shares the exact spread toward the end of the episode. It’s super helpful! * What a spread is exactly and how to draw a card for them
LinksHolistic Tarot: An Integrative Approach to Using Tarot for Personal Growth by Benebell Wen – the book that Margaret recommends if you’re just getting started with tarot cards.
Meet Margaret McNellisMargaret McNellis, MFA, M.A. is the author of the Heroes of Sherwood series, an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach who specializes in adding a dash of magick to her writers’ journeys, and a solo eclectic intuitive witch with a tarot/oracle deck addiction. She has a podcast–The Magickal Bard–which discusses the intersection of magick and writing. Margaret’s flagship course, Your Next Book, helps writers plan or fix their stories with the tarot.
Connect with Margaret McNellis* Margaret on Instagram * Margaret on Twitter * Margaret’s Website
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
Click here to subscribe on iTunes.
Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.
And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
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This episode is a recording of a live session that Uma did in the Let’s Write the Book Club, so I had a list of questions from members as well as one member who joined us live and asked about writing challenging emotions.
In this episode, we discussed:* A brief discussion about language and writing your memoir in your first or second language * What exactly is memoir and how it’s different from other genres * How memoir is an importatn part of making meaning of our story and our lives and the importance of sharing that * How we have a contract with our reader to tell our most truest and honest story * The wisdom in the wound * Some thoughts on writing your story as a memoir or as a novel * Uma’s story of getting a contract with Hay House (which she attributes all to her mother after her mother passed) * The value of getting a writing community and group to improve as a writer and increase your confidence especially when you’re first starting * A great exercise to connect with the stories that want to be in your memoir using your body and memories * A brief discussion about showing vs. Telling to capture the emotion in your memoir
LinksThe first episode Uma did on the Dear Creativity Podcast
The Let’s Write Book Club – a monthly membership for writers who are ready to write
Uma’s BooksUnderstanding Death: 10 Ways to Inner Peace for the Grieving
Losing Amma, Finding Home
Lessons From Grace
Meet Uma GirishUma Girish is an award-winning author. Both of her most recent books were finalists for the Chicago Book Awards. After reading her Losing Amma, it is clear why. Her memoirs are beautifully written, both heartwrenching and uplifting at the same time – no easy feat to achieve for a writer. She is currently working on a memoir on her marriage.
Connect with Uma Girish* Uma on Instagram * Uma’s Website
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In this episode, we discussed:* How she went from self-publishing to landing an agent and a deal with Harper Collins * How writing in the morning before her day job is the best way she’s found to get her books written while working full-time * Why she thinks reading (and reading a lot) in her genre gives her inspiration, especially when she’s feeling blocked * Why a solid reversal in the middle of your book is key to avoiding a saggy (boring) middle * The power of a pause of a few weeks to let your brain work on your book when you’ve written yourself into a corner * How dreams can get us some of our best ideas * Why she writes in and prefers writing in 1st person POV
Sandy’s BooksThe Holiday Romance Series:
- One Summer in Santorini (#1)
- That Night in Paris (#2)
- A Sunset in Sidney (#3)
- A Sunrise Over Bali (#4)
- NEW RELEASE: A Wedding in Tuscany (#5)
Hilarious Stand-Alone Novel
- The Dating Game
Some of Sandy’s Favorite Novels The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCullough * To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee * Go Set a Watchman, Harper Lee * Shakespeare, esp. the original rom com, Much Ado About Nothing* * The French Photographer, Natasha Lester * I Heart New York – the first rom-com she read that made her believe that she too could write this genre
Meet Sandy BarkerSandy is a writer, traveler, and hopeful romantic with a lengthy bucket list, and many of her travel adventures have found homes in her novels. She lives in Melbourne Australia with her partner, Ben, who she met while traveling in Greece. Their real-life love story inspired Sandy’s debut novel One Summer in Santorini, the first in the Holiday Romance series with One More Chapter, an imprint of HarperCollins. She has now published 4 books and she’s done all of this while working full-time at Pearson as an adult learning specialist.
Connect with Sandy Barker* Sandy on Instagram * Sandy on Twitter * Sandy’s Website
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
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In this episode, we discussed:* Different types of editing * How editing is not something you just hand off - it's actually quite collaborative * What to look for in an editor * How to find an editor * What she's learned through the process of working with her own editor
Kris’ Book* Destination Author by Kris Emery
Meet Kris EmeryKris Emery is a non-fiction book editor for entrepreneurs, writers and speakers who want to extend beyond their current business services and reach more people with their message. With over a decade of working with words and a masters degree in linguistics, Kris guides first-time authors to write a valuable book that they can feel excited to put out in the world.
Connect with Kris Emery* Kris on Instagram * Kris on Facebook * Kris's Website
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
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Here’s what I discuss in this solo episode:* The steps to becoming a writer * How your inner critic will pipe up and what they might say at each phase of your embracing and acting on your new identity as a writer
Links to episodes I reference:* Episode 34: Embracing Your Inner Critic * Episode 77: Are your ideas original enough? * Episode 73: Finding Your Writing Process * Episode 44: Benefits of Feedback
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!
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Amy has not only become an amazing writer, but she’s pretty darn funny! She’s looking at writing a romantic comedy next. I want to thank Amy for taking the time to share her thoughts and wisdom on writing. I really enjoyed this interview.
In this episode, we discussed:* How she learned to embrace and reboot her imagination as an adult and become a writer * A great trick to deal with your inner critic, or “the gremlins” which is what Amy calls those negative voices * How she uses power hours with her writing group to support her writing practice * How her writing group provides accountability for her to show up to her writing (if you need this type of support, check out the Let’s Write Club). * The value of the collaborative support of a good developmental editor, writing group, or book coach * How she bases her victims on some real life not so nice people to add the emotional drive to those scenes and characters * The value in writing what you know, especially if it’s a specialized field like she writes about organ transplant, because the author knows the details in an authentic and accurate way * Using the concept of “pleasure bundling” to hold yourself accountable to your writing practice * What’s next in her writing career!
Amy’s Books Cut by Amy S. Peele * Match* by Amy S. Peele
Meet Amy S. PeeleAmy S. Peele RN, is the award-winning, best-selling author of Cut and Match, medical mysteries with a mission and a side of humor. Before becoming a writer Amy enjoyed a fascinating 35-year career in the organ transplant field which provides an authentic backdrop to her books. She learned early on in her medical career that humor was an important survival skill and studied improvisation at the world premier school, Second City, in Chicago.
Connect with Amy S. Peele* Amy on Instagram * Amy on Twitter * Amy’s Website
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
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Here’s what I discuss in this solo episode:* The value of looking back at the past year (before we dive into setting goals for the new year) * How to look back * My big lesson on lowering expectations and how that’s shifted my own writing practice * Why lowering your expectations for yourself might be the key to actually making more progress on your book * A fascinating study that looks at the relationship between happiness and our expectations for ourselves * You can follow Janet Conner here and/or check out her book The Lotus and the Lily. Her intensive is here.
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!
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In this episode, we discussed:* The value of mindfulness to help writers find calm and reach their creativity * A few specific visualizations or prompts to get started * How writing mindfully can help you open up to ideas and your imagination * How these practices can help us become better writers
Lissa’s Books* Milk Fever by Lissa M. Cowan
Meet Lissa M. CowanLissa M. Cowan’s signature 21 Day Writing Meditation Course has close to 3,000 students and has been rated a top Art & Writing Course on DailyOM, a popular website that offers holistic living for the mind, body, and spirit. She is the author of MilkFever, a historical fiction novel (Demeter Press), co-translator from French of a book of poetic prose titled Words That Walk in the Night (Vehicule Press), and other fiction and non-fiction. Visit her author website for more about her writing, and the writing life. She holds an MA in English Studies from the Université de Montréal and a post-graduate diploma in writing from the University of Victoria, B.C. Along with teaching Write to Calm courses online, she also teaches in the writing program at Calgary University. She lives in the Gatineau Hills (Quebec, Canada) in a house high in the trees with her cat Toiyabe, a laid-back Nevadan.
Connect with Lissa M. Cowan* Lissa on Instagram * Lissa’s Website – write to calm
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
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In this episode, we discussed:* Writing to market vs. writing what you feel inspired to write * Freewriting to really get to know your characters * Tips on how to make character’s voices distinct in dialogue * Differentiating characters based on the impact they have on other characters in a story
Elizabeth’s Books and Books we discussed in the episode* Georgie Girl by Elizabeth Sumner Wafler * In Robin's Nest by Elizabeth Sumner Wafler * Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass * Before and After the Book Deal by Courtney Maum
Meet Elizabeth Sumner WaflerElizabeth is a writer and the author of four novels. She is an active volunteer with the Women's Fiction Writers Association and loves working with developing writers through her side hustle Four Eyes Editorial. Elizabeth, her husband and cairn terrier Mirabelle recently moved from Charlottesville Virginia to the booming southern hotspot--and the place of her birth--Greenville, South Carolina, which Conde Nast ranked the sixth best small city in America. She never misses a farmer's market or chance to explore art, music, and foodie destinations, or hiking opportunities in the Blue Ridge Mountains of the upstate.
Connect with Elizabeth Sumner Wafler* Elizabeth on Instagram * Elizabeth on Twitter * Elizabeth’s Website
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
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Here’s what I discuss in this solo episode: The 4 C’s & Q: character, conflict, context, care, and question that MUST be included in your first scene * What each of the 4 C’s are * Examples from three well-known popular books: Pride and Prejudice, Divergent, and Maid* to help you in applying these elements to your own writing
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!
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This episode will hopefully not only open you up to some new ways to think about creativity and your own creative gifts, but David also shares some practical, research-based ways to both access those aha moments that we love and to support your own efforts in bringing your creative ideas to life in whatever format that might be.
This episode will hopefully not only open you up to some new ways to think about creativity and your own creative gifts, but David also shares some practical, research-based ways to both access those aha moments that we love and to support your own efforts in bringing your creative ideas to life in whatever format that might be.
Two of my favorite quotes from this episode:
“Poetry is the art of saying very much with very few words," and when you're doubting your ideas, "The ability to be creative is not dependent on skills, but your execution of an art form is. So it's not so much that your ideas suck, it’s that your execution sucks.”
In this episode, we discussed:* The importance of opening up to the process over becoming attached to the pre-conceived end result * The concept that creativity is not a spiral but a quantum phenomena; it’s about potentiality * Allowing space for your unconscious mind to process and develop ideas because this is how we’re designed * The power of aha moments and how when we’re busy in our heads does not allow for aha moments * How structure and repetition can allow for creative moments and ideas to happen * A few ways to quiet the monkey mind so you can hear your creative ideas and aha’s
Meet David Chislett
Born in Britain, raised in South Africa, resident in The Netherlands. Nowhere and Everywhere are home. I am a published author, poet, musician and artist. I have also been an entrepreneur for over 25 years. The link that joins everything in my life together is creativity... I am interested in the human condition: what it means, what it looks like and how to get the most out of it.
Connect with David Chislett* David on Instagram * David on Facebook * David on LinkedIn * David's Website
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
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Here’s what I discuss in this solo episode:* The emphasis on productivity and speed in writing * When it comes to our creative work, to sharing our messages and stories that we’re drawn to, that we feel deeply, is speed the most important piece of writing? Or, is cultivating patience as a writer a better way to go? Or, is cultivating patience and writing slowly as a writer a better way to go? There is no right answer. I invite you to explore what works for your process. * The results of my writing tracking experience that I discuss in episode 73. * The value in allowing for time to your creative process to happen * A few tips on speeding up your writing sessions
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!
Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world. You’ll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.
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In this episode, we discussed:* How writing fiction and having conversations with characters that help yu work through challenging times in your own life * The importance of allowing for situations our character's lives to arise organically * Writing about difficult situations and pain in fiction allows us to deal with and understand difficult issues from a variety of perspectives * The importance of trusting your own writing process whether you're a planner or a discovery writer
Piper's Books & Books We Mentioned* Her new short story, The Nice Island * The Murder Lawyer, by Piper Punches * A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry * Lucky Boy by Shanthi Sekaran
Meet Piper PunchesPiper Punches is the Amazon bestselling novelist of The Waiting Room, 60 Days (Missing Girl Series - Book 1), The Murder Lawyer, and the novella, Missing Girl. Her books have been read by readers across the globe and she strives to write fiction that connects. Whether she's writing a legal thriller, a family drama, or a psychological thriller, relationships are always at the center of the story. Piper believes that the more we know each other, the better chance humanity has of surviving.
Connect with Piper Punches* Piper on Instagram * Piper on Facebook * Piper's Website
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
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In this episode, we discussed:* Tom's journaling practice and how he ultimately discovered that his journals could in fact be shaped into memoirs * The importance of hiring professional editorial help as he learned to write * His system for asking for feedback from beta readers - SO many gems here. Tom does not just ask readers to let him know what they think. He shares his process and specific questions to guarantee that the feedback he gets is useful to making his book better * Braintoss - his favorite app for capturing ideas and notes on the go * Why he views writing daily (even with a newborn and a full-time job) as the key to his becoming a writer
Tom’s BooksDear Dory: Journal of a Soon-to-be First-time Dad (Adventures in Dadding Book 1)
Dear Arlo: Adventures in Dadding
Meet Tom KrefferTom Kreffer is the author of Dear Dory: Journal of a Soon-to-be First-time Dad and Dear Arlo: Adventures in Dadding and he is the creator of the Adventures in Dadding Newsletter. He loves Star Wars and Marvel movies, and he has a degree in film and television that he firmly believes to be worth less than a second-hand toothbrush. He lives in Northampton, England with his family, whom he intends to exploit for many more story opportunities in the years to come.
Connect with Tom Kreffer* Tom on Instagram * Tom on Facebook * Tom’s Website
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
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This is a quick little episode of the podcast, but I wanted to share something that I’ve shared with my students in classes and workshops and with clients one on one for years whenever this idea that they don’t have original ideas comes up. This will prove, unequivocally, that your ideas ARE original enough.
Here’s what you’ll learn in this solo episode:* why I think planning and outlining is important, * what you should include in your plan, and * why creating a plan will NOT, in fact stifle, your creativity.
You can sign up for the Plan Your Book Week Challenge here.
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!
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Writing and publishing one book is hard. It’s a commitment to yourself and to your creative practice. But if you want to become a full-time novelist, it takes more than one book. My guest today committed big and has managed to write and publish close to 30 full-length novels in the past three years, many of which she wrote while teaching full-time. If you're like me, this sounds like an almost impossible task, but as Celeste proves, it can be done and done well. We dive into how she accomplished this and continues to write and publish multiple novels a year.
Ohhhh…THIS episode. It’s UH-MAZ-ING!! It’s that good because my guest is one of the wisest, kindest, and most generous of women shining her brilliant light on the planet right now, Janet Conner.
The re-release of this episode is for two reasons. The first is that a new edition of her book Writing Down Your Soul was released in July 2021. And, in honor of that, Janet is teaching a brand new course on her book, something she hasn’t done in years. I really wanted to share this with you.
In this episode, we discussed:* How Tara managed to get that first book drafted in three months * The impact her book had on her business (it wasn't what she expected) * How she showed herself grace through the process by not demanding perfection * and much more!
Tara's BookHungry: Trust Your Body and Free your Mind Around Food
Meet Tara WhitneyTara Whitney is a published author, podcaster, speaker and coach. She’s leading a revolution of women who are listening to their own internal wisdom, respecting and nourishing their bodies and ultimately trusting themselves in every area of their lives. Her latest book, Hungry: Trust Your Body and Free Your Mind around Food, offers a fresh perspective on why women have struggled with food and gives them a path to set themselves free. Tara is also the host of the Hungry: Trust Your Body. Free Your Mind. podcast where she interviews some amazing guests who’ve transformed their own relationship with food. They share what their life is like now that their minds are free and they trust their bodies.
Connect with Tara Whitney* Tara on Instagram * Tara on LinkedIn * Tara's Website
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.
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The idea of taking a data-driven look at your creative process might feel uninspiring, however, if tracking what we're doing with data can help us to have more fun with our writing and feel good about our writing sessions, why not give it a go? This is really about finding your own writing process rather than cherry-picking ideas from different writers or trying things that might not be aligned with how you work.
In this episode, we discussed:* The value of feedback and “practicing in public” * That it’s easier to write fast when you’re writing what you really enjoy writing (not new info or a shocker but it definitely bears repeating!) * Bryan's top three tips for writing more (from his book of 33 tips – which is a solid, quick read - see link below) * You don’t have to type to write and how other methods help him write more * The value of planning writing sessions
A few of Bryan’s Books that we discussedBecome a Writer Today: The Complete Series: Book 1: Yes, You Can Write! | Book 2: The Savvy Writer’s Guide to Productivity | Book 3: The Art of Writing a Non-Fiction Book
Yes, You Can Write!: 101 Proven Writing Prompts that Will Help You Find Creative Ideas Faster for Your Journal, Blogging, Writing Your Book and More (Become a Writer Today 1)
Meet Bryan CollinsBryan Collins is an author from Ireland who helps writers build authority and earn a living from their creative work. He’s also a former Forbes columnist and his work has appeared in publications like Lifehacker and Fast Company.
Connect with Bryan* Bryan on Twitter * Bryan’s Website - become a writer today
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The force was with Byron Lane, former personal assistant to Carrie Fisher, when he wrote and published his debut novel, A Star is Bored, about a personal assistant to an eccentric movie star. While he drew on personal experience, the novel is fully fictionalized and hilarious. Byron openly shares his struggles and wins as he traveled down the road to becoming a novelist.
In this episode, we discussed:* Why Byron chose to Write A Star is Bored as a novel rather than a memoir * What he’s done to learn to write fiction and novels * Working with freelance editors on early drafts to learn to tighten up the story and focus on what’s important * The plot structure Byron relies on to get going and out of “stuckness” * The importance of a characters internal journey for a successful story * How to get feedback from readers rather without reading reviews
Meet Byron LaneByron Lane is an author, playwright, and screenwriter. His debut novel is called A STAR IS BORED, hailed by the New York Times as “wildly funny,” about an uptight celebrity assistant struggling to manage his eccentric movie star boss, inspired in part by Lane’s time as assistant to beloved actress Carrie Fisher. He is a two-time regional Emmy Award winner from his time as a television journalist. Lane also wrote the acclaimed play TILDA SWINTON ANSWERS AN AD ON CRAIGSLIST, the award winning web series LAST WILL & TESTICLE, and the feature film HERPES BOY starring Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer.
Connect with Byron* Byron on Instagram * Byron’s Website
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
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Here’s what you’ll learn in this solo episode:* a simple process for choosing books to read and the steps to take to read like a writer * an example that walks you through the process
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!
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Here’s what you’ll learn in this solo episode:* how to clear your brain so you can decide * a handful of questions to ask yourself to help you make your decision
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!
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Here’s what you’ll learn in this solo episode:* how you can develop a well-rounded villain * how and when to introduce them in your story * five questions to ask about your character as you develop them * a few specific ways you can make them force your protagonist to act
Books Mentioned in this Episode* Characters & Viewpoint (Elements of Fiction Writing) by Orson Scott Card * The Emotional Wound Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Psychological Trauma by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi * The Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Flaws by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!
Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world. You’ll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.
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In this episode, we discussed:* The villain as a mirror to the protagonist * How Ellie uses discovery drafts, or as she says the “crap draft” to get to know her characters and story * Her different approaches to writing novels vs. screenplays * Why humanizing your villain can deepen that character * If you need to include your villain’s backstory in your book * A great Scrivener tip for saving drafts of your novel – I’ve used Scrivener for YEARS and just learned this tip
Meet Ellie Shoja“Modern-day Rumi” Ellie Shoja is a serial entrepreneur, author of The 13th Planet and Your Heart Knows The Way, co-founder of Peace Unleashed, TEDx speaker, and the co-host of the Unleash Your Peace podcast.
As the daughter of an international con man, Ellie moved 30 times and lived in refugee camps in Germany before immigrating to the United States at the age of 15. By the age of 12, Ellie was suffering from severe nervous tics, anger and mood disorders, and suicidal ideation. What began as a personal healing journey turned into an 18-year deep dive into various modalities of psychology, philosophy, and spirituality. Ellie founded Peace Unleashed in order to share the inner peace strategies, tools, and processes that helped her become one of the most grounded and peaceful people living today.
Ellie has been featured in various podcasts and publications including Entrepreneur, Elite Daily, Authority Magazine, and Thrive Global. Among her clients are A-list celebrities, influencers, and online personalities. She is a keynote speaker and has spoken at national and international conferences including Borderless Content Congress, The Great American Pitchfest, and Digital Hollywood.
Connect with Ellie* Ellie on Instagram * Ellie on YouTube * Ellie’s Website
Links Mentioned in the Show* Scrivener – our favorite novel drafting tool
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
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Here’s what you'll learn in this solo episode:* the benefits of setting deadlines for your writing projects and sessions * the types of deadlines you can set * how to make them realistic and achievable * a series of questions to ask yourself to help you set realistic writing goals * some ideas on actually meeting your writing deadlines, so you can get your books finished and meet your deadlines to share your books with the world, rather than feel overwhelmed and frustrated because you missed your deadline
Books Mentioned in this Episode* The 90 Day Year by Brian P. Moran
Links I shared:Facebook Group – to access the monthly links for the Write-Together Sessions
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!
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Following this interview, I scheduled a session with Shailaja to help me with my own social media and OH MY GOSH! She’s so incredibly helpful and genuine. For the first time ever, I’ve been able to think of posting on social media with…excitement and joy rather than dread and overwhelm. Reach out if you’d like to write meaningful short-form content to reach your readers
In this episode, we discussed:* The magic of using social media to connect with readers * Combining the art of creating with the art of genuine connection * Shailaja’s super easy system to consistently come up with short form content, whether it’s for an article, blog post or social media post * The importance of balancing creating with consuming content * Why we should use editors and be open to editorial feedback, even on shorter content * How our short form content can inform creation of longer pieces
Meet Shailaja VishwanathShailaja Vishwanath is a blog and social media coach with over a decade of blogging experience. For the past few years she’s also been coaching other content creators and bloggers to grow their organic audience without the overwhelm. She helps creators DIY their blogging and social media strategy and helps them truly connect with their audience.
Connect with Shailaja* Shailaja’s Blog Reboot Program * Shailaja on Instagram * Shailaja on LinkedIn * Shailaja’s Website
Links Mentioned in the Show* Episode 55 – Idea Capture Tools * Episode 37 – Idea Generation Strategies * Amy’s Facebook Group to continue the discussion
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
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Mostly, what we want you to take away from this interview is an awareness - an awareness of the need for diverse characters, an awareness that we have our own internal biases that we need to be aware of as we write characters who are different from ourselves, and an awareness that we have a responsibility as writers to research, fill in our own blind spots, and do this work well.
Big announcement - we've changed the name a bit and narrowed in the focus of this podcast to...writing and even more specifically, writing novels and memoirs. The Dear Creativity, Let’s Write Podcast is for both brand new writers who are just beginning to get their story out of their heads and onto the page and seasoned authors looking for some inspiration and ideas to improve their own writing and creative process.
In this episode, we discussed:* How she chose to follow her JOY to reclaim her identity as an artist that she’d lost as a young teen * her incredible story of finding a painting she'd done as a teen that told her story 40 years later * What happens to us as artists and creatives when we get in the flow and past the self-judgment
Links Mentioned in the Show Smashbooking episode* with fellow Intentional Creativity teacher, Catt Z * Link to the story of the symbolic self-portrait painting foretold my future that was found in the attic
Meet Kerry LeeKerry Lee, The Alchemical Artist, experienced a 35-year case of "creative constipation" when she tried to conform to others expectations vs. her natural-born strengths and desires. In 2013 after experiencing major challenges in her personal and work life she was able to release her block and the path to reclaiming her creativity and experiencing life according to her began. During the 2020 pandemic, she gathered many of her life and creative experiences and founded The Self Discovery Wisdom School. Kerry Lee and her team of self-discovery specialists help women (and men) who feel stuck or lost in their current experience of life, who know there is more, and think it's my time, find their way to clarity, confidence, and freedom.
Connect with Kerry* Kerry on Instagram * Kerry on Facebook * Kerry’s on LinkedIn * The Self Discovery Wisdom School
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
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Here’s what I discuss in this solo episode:* How to get to your best book, (hint – it happens during the revision process) * The difference between editing and revision and WHY revision is so important * One way you can cut down on spending weeks months or even years of revising if it’s not your favorite part of writing * Why you can (and in my opinion should) defy what’s taught about “when” you should revise your manuscript * Why taking time on revising is important
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!
Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world. You’ll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.
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In this episode, we discussed:* How the need for praise drives us to deny our own creative callings as we serve others * How play and performing helped Margaret break through her perfectionism and get past playing small * How she learns to pray and trust that she’s not alone * How speaking our truth and sharing our stories can actually help us step into them
Books Mentioned in the Show Brave(ish) – Margaret’s memoir * The Book of Delights by Ross Gay * Playing Big, Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead by Tara Mohr * What I Talk About When I Talk About Running*, by Haruki Murakami
Meet Margaret GhilemettiMargaret Davis Ghielmetti is a writer, storyteller, solo performance artist, and photographer. She and her Swiss husband have lived on four continents and have visited nearly fifty countries. Margaret loves to entertain others with her traveler’s tales and travel (mis-)adventures…and especially to inspire them to live their own best (and imperfect) lives! Her book, Brave(ish): A Memoir of a Recovering Perfectionist was published in 2020 by She Writes Press.
Connect with Margaret* Margaret on Instagram * Margaret on Facebook * Margaret’s website
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
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In this episode, we discussed:* How parents can speak their children’s language of play to encourage creativity, have more fun, and create connections with their kids * How creative parenting is a mindset NOT a craft project * Why the creative process is more important than the outcome * Ideas and easy ways to infuse creativity into daily life * Nina’s 5×5 of Creative Parenting
Connect with Nina Meehan* Nina on Instagram * Nina’s website
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
Stay Connected with AmyGrab the Creativity Boosters to Amp up your own creative ideas so you can create your best work. This will subscribe you to the newsletter.
If you don’t want the boosters but want weekly updates, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.
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Here’s what I discuss in this solo episode:* What voice is * What it isn’t * Four ways to begin to develop your own voice and express yourself AS yourself
Books Mentioned in the Show* Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott * On Writing, by Stephen King * Writing with Quiet Hands, by Paula Munier
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!
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In this episode, we discussed:* How having a child reconnected her to her love of music and singing. * Her struggles with self-doubt and how mothering helped her begin to overcome them * How befriending her inner-critic finally allowed her to begin sharing and embracing her work
Links Mentioned in the Show Call for Submissions– Mara is accepting submissions for her book Don’t Tell My Child* through March 14, 2021. All of the details are in this link.
Connect with Mara MeasorMara Measor is a singer-songwriter and co-founder of a creative agency. She has devoted her life to telling stories, both her own and of the clients she works with every day. Her most recent songs capture the experience of learning to feel at home with new identities: a child grieving a parent's death, a new mother navigating cross-cultural parenting, an artist looking for peace.
If you’d like to connect with Mara, you can find her at:
- Mara on Instagram
- Mara’s website
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
Stay Connected with AmyGrab the Creativity Boosters to Amp up your own creative ideas so you can create your best work. This will subscribe you to the newsletter.
If you don’t want the boosters but want weekly updates, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.
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In this episode, we discussed:* Doug’s near-death experience that brought him to developing a meditation practice and ultimately hypnosis to begin to deal with his anxiety and depression * Two ways hypnosis can address and change your beliefs * How brain waves work and what hypnotism actually is
Links Mentioned in the Show* Doug’s self-hypnosis programs – in the podcast, we discussed his February programs but this episode went live after his program. Thankfully, Doug recorded them here!
Connect with Doug SandsDoug Sands is a consulting hypnotist who helps would-be adventurers overcome fear and anxiety. He is also the host of the Making Meaning Podcast, a show that interviews top adventurers about the struggles they’ve overcome in their journey.
If you’d like to connect with Doug, you can find him at:
- Doug on Facebook
- Doug on Instagram
- Doug’s website
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
Stay Connected with AmyGrab the Creativity Boosters to Amp up your own creative ideas so you can create your best work. This will subscribe you to the newsletter.
If you don’t want the boosters but want weekly updates, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.
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Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:* My favorite idea capture tools: + Aqua Notes + Bath Crayons + otter.ai – voice to text transcription tool + Google Docs or Word + My journal – an unlined composition book. I talk all about these in episode 53. * My favorite idea organization tools + Evernote + Scrivener + Google Docs * Why keeping your tools and systems simple is the best strategy
Links Mentioned in the Show* Cold Hard Cache – the latest Tricia Seaver mystery novel * In the Cards – the first Tricia Seaver mystery novel
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!
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In this episode, we discussed:* How Stephanie has balanced her craft with life and a chronic illness * How she manages to stay connected to her creativity and muses even on those days that she's unable to get out of bed * How important reading is to becoming a better writer * Some of Stephanie's tips for creating fully developed characters, and the questions she asks herself about them
Stephanie Harper is not only a novelist, but also a published poet. We ended the episode with a reading of her poem "Epiphany" which is a beautiful piece about inspiration.
Links Mentioned in the Show Read Stephanie's books, Wesley Yorstead goes Outside and Sermon Series*
Connect with Stephanie HarperStephanie Harper is the author of Wesley Yorstead Goes Outside (Propertius Press, 2020), as well as a poetry collection entitled Sermon Series (Finishing Line Press, 2017). She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Fairfield University. She’s written personal essays and articles for many publications online and in print. She currently lives in Littleton, CO.
If you’d like to connect with Stephanie, you can find her at:
- Stephanie on Twitter
- Stephanie on Instagram
- Stephanie's website
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.
Stay Connected with AmyGrab the Creativity Boosters to Amp up your own creative ideas so you can create your best work. This will subscribe you to the newsletter.
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Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:* Why a regular journaling practice is important * What you need to begin your practice, including my favorite tools * What do write each day on the page - my thoughts on this are a bit different than some of what people teach (that didn't work for me)
Links Mentioned in the Show* My favorite journal - a basic, blank, unruled composition book * My favorite pens for journaling and writing quickly * Writing Down Your Soul by Janet Conner * Opening Up by Writing it Down by Dr. James Pennebaker * Episode #25 where I interviewed Janet Conner about deep soul writing.
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In this episode, you'll learn:* how Jeff defines play, which makes play super fun and easy at any age * how to start playing, even if you don't know how anymore (you actually DO know how and probably play way more often than you think) * Two questions to ask your friends to help you add a little more play to your own life * How discovering your favorite ways to play can also help you clarify your values and purpose * What to do when that inner critic pops up and tries to stop you from playing * How and why you can prime your day for creativity and joy
Looking for more episodes on Play?* Episode 48 - Igniting Your Creative Spark Through Play * Episode 34 - Love on your Inner Critic and Create
Connect with Jeff HarryJeff Harry shows individuals and companies how to tap into their true selves, to feel their happiest and most fulfilled — all by playing. Jeff has worked with Google, Microsoft, Southwest Airlines, Adobe, the NFL, Amazon and Facebook, helping their staff to infuse more play into the day-to-day. Jeff is an international speaker who has presented at conferences such as INBOUND, SXSW, and Australia’s Pausefest, showing audiences how major issues in the workplace can be solved using play. Jeff was selected by Engagedly as one of the Top 100 HR Influencers of 2020 for his organizational development work around addressing toxicity in the workplace.
His playwork has been featured in the New York Times, AJ+, SoulPancake, the SF Chronicle, and CNN. While we spend most of our time pretending to be important, serious grownups, it's when we let go of that facade and just play, that the real magic happens. Fully embracing your own nerdy genius — whatever that is — gives you the power to make a difference and change lives. Jeff believes that we already have many of the answers we seek, and by simply unleashing our inner child, we can find our purpose and, in turn, help to create a better world.
If you’d like to connect with Jeff, you can find him at:
- Jeff on Youtube
- Jeff on Instagram
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom
Stay Connected with AmyGrab the Creativity Boosters to Amp up your own creative ideas so you can create your best work. This will subscribe you to the newsletter.
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Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:* Why I started both my blog (a decade ago) and my podcast a year ago * What I love about podcasting * The challenges of creating and keeping your show going (especially if you don’t have a production team) * Skills you’ll need to learn (that I didn’t realize I needed to really master) * Why you might consider starting with a blog to share your message and voice
Links Mentioned in the Show* Blogging for Beginners Course I’m teaching at the Story Circle Network in January – if you’ve thought of getting online, blogging is a great way to start sharing your writing * Episode #50 on creating space and why I took my podcast break
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In this solo episode, I discuss:* Why the six-month mark in a difficult time period can be especially rough to get through. * My unhealthy response to the challenges of Covid and the quarantine * Five strategies to slow down and create space to get your creativity going again if it’s been stalled * The significance of slowing down for your creative projects
Links Mentioned in the Show* “Professor Ahmad’s Six-Month Wall: Rehumanizing The Virtual Workplace,” by Nancy Doyle * Bored to Brilliant by Manoush Zomorodi
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!
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In this interview, we talked about:
- Why coming up with the most ideas is the WAY to the best ideas
- Strategies to come up with more ideas with divergent and convergent thinking
- Using associations between words to come up with new ideas and introduce a level of tension to your brainstorming
- Using Roukes list to develop ideas
- How to USE procrastination intentionally to fire up your creativity and make and reframe what might feel like procrastination into the incubation phase of the creative process
- The importance of having a way to record ideas
The image Hannah painted after combining ideas in different ways to extend her thinking about what she wanted to paint. She discussed this in the podcast.
Links & Books Mentioned in the Show Florence Wiliams – The Three Day Effect * Dr. Shelly Carson, Your Creative Brain* * Sparketypes Test
Connect with Hannah FitzgibbonHannah Fitzgibbon left her corporate finance job to reconnect with her creativity. Her goal is to help people like you develop and trust your creativity to find more joy and flow in work you love. Hannah is a curator of ideas – bringing diverse research together to tell stories about creativity. She also draws, paints and writes.
If you’d like to connect with Hannah, you can find her at:
- Hannah’s Website
- On Facebook
- On Instagram
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom
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Some of the links in this post are affiliate links to help offset podcast production costs.
In this interview, we talked about:
- the importance of slowing down, meditation, and breath to connect with your creativity (and he did a brief guided meditation)
- the two different types of thinking: circle & square
- how to use them together to develop your creativity
- what happens when you rely solely on square thinking
- how letting go of your goals is sometimes the only way to reach them and yes, this is a paradox which Francis explains
- the importance of relaxing into the unknown
Links Mentioned in the ShowThe Squircle Academy where you can take the Squircle test
France’s book, Squircle A New Way to THINK for a NEW WORLD,
Connect with Francis CholleFrancis Cholle is a global leader in creating social innovation for a sustainable future. Francis’ core mission focuses on unleashing untapped potential, key to achieving a competitive advantage known as “Intuitive Intelligence.”
As founder and CEO of the Human Company, Know Better World Foundation and SQUIRCLE Academy, Francis’ uses his proprietary methodology and leadership mindset to offer revolutionary ways of thinking and navigating in our ever-changing world. Francis Cholle, best-selling author of The Intuitive Compass, is launching his new book called SQUIRCLE on Amazon. SQUIRCLE offers a very simple approach to problem-solving, decision-making, and relationships that defy how culture has taught us to think. SQUIRCLE recognizes the importance of our rational minds (SQUARE), while honoring the natural insights from our intuition (CIRCLE) and helps readers tap into nature and their intuition to succeed in today’s unpredictable world!
Francis has empowered some of the most successful companies in the world with his new ways of thinking—Apple, Bristol Myers Squibb, Citigroup, Estée Lauder, Johnson & Johnson, JP Morgan Chase, and L’Oréal, to name a few.
If you’d like to connect with Francis, you can find him at:
- The Squircle Academy
- On Facebook
- On LinkedIn
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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Some of the links in this post are affiliate links to help offset podcast production costs.
In this solo episode, I discuss:
- what your inner critic is
- how to fire up your inner critic so you can get to know them
- why you’ve got an inner critic and how to love and feel gratitude for your inner critic
- an example of my own inner critic
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom
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Oh...perfectionism. We WANT to do good work, but if our obsession with how others might respond to our work stops us from doing it, perfectionism has raised it's ugly little head.
Let's get through that together.
In this episode, I discuss:
- what perfectionism IS
- what perfectionism IS NOT
- Some strategies to overcome perfectionism
- resources and journaling prompts to work through experiences when you've gotten negative feedback and you're ready to move past it and remove that emotional sting
- an idea prompt: if you had NO fear of doing something badly or poorly...what would you do? What would you allow yourself to try?
Links Mentioned in the ShowOpening Up by Writing It Down, Third Edition: How Expressive Writing Improves Health and Eases Emotional Pain
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom
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This is NOT by any means an exhaustive list. These are books that I've read, some multiple times, enjoyed, and learned from. Feel free to leave any of your favs in the comments.
Start with Alice Walker's essay, "In Search of Our Mother's Gardens." It's a powerful look at Black creativity.
A selection of fiction I've read and loved by Black and Indigenous authors:
Gloria Naylor: The Women of Brewster Place, Mama Day, &Linden Hills
Toni Morrison: Song of Solomon, Sula, The Bluest Eye, &Beloved
Alice Walker: The Color Purple
Maya Angelou:I know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Jamaica Kincaid: Annie John&Lucy
Octavia Butler: Kindred
Ralph Ellison: Invisible Man
Richard Wright: Native Son
Louise Ehrdrich: Love Medicine
Alexie Sherman: The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven&The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian
My to Read List:
Louise Erdrich: The Plague of Doves &The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse
Terri McMillan's newest book I Almost Forgot About You
Yaa Gyasi: Homegoing
Angie Thomas: The Hate You Give
Tayari Jones: An American Marriage
Zinzi Clemmons: What We Lose
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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Catt Z spent her entire career as a software designer, until she became an artist at age 60. She dove into a process of intentional creativity with paint. Then, she decided to take that process to the small pages of a standard composition book. And her world got rocked.
She uncovered and developed the process of Cosmic Smashbooking which is a mashup of journaling, art journaling, smashbooking, painting, collage, stamping – any medium really -combined with intentional creativity, connecting with your intuition, prayer, and healing.
It’s an amazing process, one I’ve been playing with since the beginning of 2020. And more than anything, it’s FUN.
In our episode, we talked about:
- how Catt developed cosmic smashbooking
- what a smashbook page is
- how your muse shows up to guide your work
- how to differentiate your creative muse from the voice of your inner critic
- how smashbooking is a healing, meditative process but more whimsical and fun than some other techniques
- if you’re a writer, Catt shared a technique for using the books for character development
One of my favorite quotes from the interview is when Catt said, “Smashbooking is NOT about being an artist…it’s about being creative. And yes, there is a difference.” Smashbooking has nothing to do with creating pretty art or rendering realistic drawings. And for those of you who would like to explore visual arts without the pressure of doing it “right” – this is a GREAT way to do it.
Connect with Catt ZCatt Z is an artist, a visionary, and founder of Cosmic Smashbooking. She helps students access their intuition through the Cosmic Smashbook Process, using a combination of intentional creativity and art journaling.
There are no rules.
Catt was in the computer industry for fifty years as a software designer and decided it was time to break out of the box. So she became an Artist at 60 and her life hasn’t been the same since. She’s a wild woman, pioneer, gypsy, lover of dogs, traveling, and starting over. She loves stepping into dangerous territory and bringing others with her on the journey.
Catt brings the fun, wisdom, magic, adventure, and courage to assist others in healing enough so they may go out and heal others.
If you’d like to connect with Catt, you can find her at:
- Sign up for her free six week introductory course, Kick it to the Curb
- Catt’s Website
- Catt on Instagram – or follow the hashtag #cosmicsmashbooking to see some amazing work
- Join Catt’s Smashbook group on Facebook
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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Focusing on the product and making sure the time we're spending on creating is worthwhile and useful is a HUGE creative block for some. It's a block I've personally had to work through and one that still will occasionally rear its blocky head in my own and my client and students' creative heads.
So, let's breakthrough this block once and for all, put the creative process OVER product, and create for the pure joy, play, and fun of it!
Links Mentioned in the Show* What the hell is a table runner for? blog post
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Asking good questions, the right kind of questions can open us up, drive creative growth, and even get us in touch with our deepest vulnerabilities.
Asking a question means that we don’t know all the answers which can be scary as one question could lead to more questions or to failure…but that just gets us to the next fun question.
In our episode, we talked about:
- What kinds of questions to ask to drive your creativity
- How failure is not a bad thing (even though many of bright high-achieving women have learned that it is)
- the imposter syndrome that Brandolyn experienced when she left ten years in the lab and headed into the world of education to revamp science in schools and make it FUN – yes, even a brilliant woman with a PhD deals with the fun stuff like imposter syndrome!
One of my favorite quotes was when Brandolyn talked about how as women, “we have to train our brains to be comfortable with not knowing the answers.” This discomfort can be scary and, well, uncomfortable, but this is also where we have the opportunity to explore, to ponder, and to create something new.
What will you create?
Connect with Dr. Brandolyn ThranDr. Brandolyn Thran has a passion for life science, education, and God. She is having a ball exploring the intersection between the three and expanding her range as she attempts to write her first book, currently titled “Scattered Brilliance”. She has been married 22 years to Robby and they have a 14-year old son who loves baseball and cars.
Brandolyn loves red shoes, skorts, and takes comfort and functionality over style in all things. She loves spring and summer, and is always cold so don’t be thrown off by a parka in July. She holds advanced degrees in Cell and Molecular Biology and Environmental Science with a concentration in Microbiology. Her favorite things to do is to be outside in the sun, quilt, play the piano or ukulele and to take the back roads while laughing all the way home.
If you’d like to connect with Brandolyn, you can find her at:
- Brandolyn’s Website
- Brandolyn on YouTube – this is a new channel with some GREAT videos on “meeting at the Question” that really make you think about questioning what you currently believe! It’s good stuff!
- Brandolyn on Facebook
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The idea of a routine doesn’t FEEL inspiring or creative or free or really much fun. It feels like productivity or pushing, but that’s not how I view it.
Setting up a creative practice that is based in routine is actually giving yourself space to create, honoring your call to create, it’s saying this thing that I want to do is SO important, that I’m going to prioritize it in my life.
That IS soulful creativity; that’s honoring your creative calling.
The question is, how do you create a routine that works until it becomes a habit that you don’t have to think about (or resist), and you get your butt in the chair on a regular basis to do your creative work?
In this solo episode, I discuss:* Why routines and habits are crucial for a sustainable creative practice * The myth of waiting to work until inspiration strikes * Seven steps to set up effective creative routines * What my daily creative habit looks like
Links Mentioned in the Show* Episode #26 on creating Idea Partnerships
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There are hundreds of different essential oils and when combined together, an infinite number of blends you could make with them which makes the whole field a bit overwhelming. Emma did a great job of explaining:
- how essential oils work on the body and mind
- how to use essential oils safely
- how to decide which oils to use to help with your creativity
- why less is more when it comes to essential oils
- and how to mix EO’s effectively to create a synergistic blend for yourself
One great tip Emma shared is to start with what you love and how you want to feel. Think of EO’s as little doses of energy, so before doing creative practice – ask, “How am I feeling today on a scale of 1-10? And how do I want to feel to get the best out of my time to work creatively?”
Then, choose 2-3 different scents and smell them directly from the bottle. Use the one that smells the strongest and that you love at that moment.
Resources to get Essential Oils and Books to Learn More:Books:
- The Art of Aromatherapy by Robert B. Tisserand
- The Fragrant Heavens by Valerie Ann Worwood
- Sacred Oils By Felicity Warner
Oil Resources:
- DoTerra – where Amy gets her oils
- https://www.edensgarden.com – smaller US source Emma recommends
- https://www.floracopeia.com – smaller US source Emma recommends
- https://www.absolute-aromas.com – smaller UK source Emma recommends
Connect with Emma Kupu MitchellEmma is a Soul Medicine Artist weaving ancient wisdom teachings into the modern way of living. With over 30 years of Holistic education in the Healing Arts her focus is on vibrational modalities which includes aromatherapy, numerology, and elemental astrology to name a few. Emma’s variety of work allows her to fully customize your experience. She calls herself “an Artist for the Soul.” as together you choose and create your own Soul Palette!
If you’d like to connect with Emma, you can find her at:
- Emma’s website
- Insta: @soulguidekupu
- FB: https://www.facebook.com/SensorySoulGuide
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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I actually have three different sets of Creative Idea Partnerships, which are sometimes called thinking partners or thought partnerships.
One is a BIG IDEA Sistermind where I work with two brilliant HIGHLY educated women exploring big ideas. We also have some of the same struggles in overcoming all fun things that women tend to face like imposter syndrome, perfectionism, fear of failure, letting go of knowing the outcome – ALL the creative blocks.
I also have monthly sessions with a Creative Idea Partner in the business world where we brainstorm and clarify ideas for the next step in our businesses.
And finally, I have a writing partner, where we trade pages and chapters, give one another feedback, brainstorming help, and the occasional kick in the ass to actually write pages.
This whole idea is all about the power of the collective, expanding your OWN brainpower by using the brainpower of other brilliant creative minds in your circle.
To set up effective idea and though partnerships, it’s super important to be intentional. So listen in for some tips and ideas on setting up your own creative idea and thinking partnerships in order to help you get your ideas out of your head and wild heart and into the world.
In this solo episode, I discuss:* Setting your Intention for your Creative Idea Partnership – think about what you want to create and how you want to create it * Who you want to work with and how you choose them * How to structure your sessions * And what to do after your session is done
Links Mentioned in the Show Episode #25 with Janet Conner about deep soul writing and connecting to our creativity and inner wisdom on the [page * Episode #24 about the spiral of the creative process and how we’re not focused on the outcome but open to whatever might come * Steal Like an Artist* by Austin Kleon * Gillian Archer – my writer partner who write super hot romance novels! * Jamie Metz – my big idea partner’s videos that are planned for an Amazon Prime film! This project came from Jamie’s own desire to connect with women in a larger way, the deep personal work she did on that dream, ideation development and clarity in our thinking group, as well as idea development and implemention with another creative idea partnership she has. Like me, she's got multiple thought partnerships.
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Oh, I could fill this whole page with incredible quotes from our conversation but here's one that captures it beautifully:
"There are parts of me and parts of you and parts of all of us that are hungry for connection with the source of wisdom within whether it comes through prayer, meditation, deep soul writing, swimming laps, going for long walks in nature. There are so many ways to get out of your conscious mind and connect with the voice of wisdom within. And knw know that."
Janet Conner
We have all of our answers. Our soul knows what direction we should take, but we've got to actually ask the questions.
In this episode, we discussed:* How Deep Soul Writing started - and there's a puppy in the story! * Examples of the connection between deep soul writing and deep soul reading * Why getting your ass in the chair and writing is the MOST important step to connecting with your inner wisdom * The power of questions to begin the conversation on the page. As she says, "it's the inquiry that changes everything." (around min. 28:00) * Two key questions to get started with deep soul writing - because "when you let BIG questions lead the way, you open doors that you didn't even know existed." (around 35:00) * Why a spiritual practice of positive affirmations and focusing on hoping for happiness is B.S.
Books mentioned in this episode:
- Writing Down Your Soul by Janet Conner
- The Lotus and the Lily by Janet Conner
- Soul Vows by Janet Conner
- Find Your Soul's Purpose by Janet Conner
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
- The Wisdom of Not Knowing by Estelle Frankl
- Eternal Echoes by John O'Donahue
Connect with Janet ConnerJanet Conner is a prayer artist, deep soul explorer, and field guide in The Mystic. Her first book, Writing Down Your Soul, became a bestseller, opening a path to six more including The Lotus and The Lily, Soul Vows, and Find Your Soul’s Purpose.
When “Prayer Artist” came calling, Janet found herself writing a whole new genre of post-patriarchal prayers, redefining prayer altogether, and leading radically different prayer intensives. She completed the six-year run of her highly successful radio show, The Soul-Directed Life, to create a new kind of podcast, Praying at the Speed of Love, inviting authors to share intimate stories about their prayer lives. To make all this possible, Janet lives a quiet life filled with silence, solitude, and joy in the tiny town of Ozona, Florida on the Gulf of Mexico.
If you’d like to connect with Janet, you can find her at:
- Janetconer.com
- Insta: @janetconner5
- FB: https://www.facebook.com/JanetConnerPrayerArtist
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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In this episode, I talk about each of these steps and the dance we do as we bring our ideas into the world.
During the Corona Virus pandemic, I’ve been relying deeply on my journaling and creative practices to help sustain me, so I’ve been thinking about my own creative practice and process. I’ve also been playing with combining journaling with paint and memorabilia in a mixed media format that I haven’t ever played with but it’s transformative and super fun.
This has also made me think deeply about my own creative process.
Whether it’s a book, a collage, a painting, a poem, a sculpture, whatever, how do we do it? What’s the process? Is there a single process that we can maybe follow to make it easier or does it look different for each of us? How, exactly, do we go from random idea in our head to creating or doing the thing? And how do we trust that we’re doing it “right?” Or is there even a “right” process?
That’s what this episode is all about, the spiral of creation.
Interestingly, after recording, editing and uploading this episode, I discovered all kinds of charts, posters, and information on line on The CREATIVE PROCESS. But I’m super glad I didn’t research this episode AT ALL other than to dive into my own process.
Relying solely on my own experience was an incredibly valuable exercise.
What’s interesting is that many of the official creative process steps have “research” in there, and while I’ll be going back and probably doing another episode on this topic and including some alternate perspectives, remember that relying on your own thoughts/ideas IS a super valuable and important part creating.
Figure out what YOU think first before you begin to expand with other people's ideas. Your opinion and ideas are necessary.
Keep creating. We need you!
In this solo episode, I discuss:* The main steps in my own creative process: inspiration/ideas, filling the well, rest/compost, exploring/playing, connecting, trusting, taking action * Why it’s crucial to think about this is a spiral rather than a linear process * How focusing on your creative process rather than the final product can help get you into your creative zone and a happier place
Links Mentioned in the Show Episode #17 with Deborah Fryer about how we are always* creating * Episode #15 with Jackie Johnstone about Human Design – she talks about the idea shelf, a great idea for the composting/resting stage of the process * Episode #2 – taking yourself on an Artist’s Date or creative play date to fill your creative well
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Before this interview, I was a total astrological newbie, but Karrie is a gifted teacher. By the end of it, words like “transit” and “rising sign” actually made sense. If astrology has intrigued or confused you, this is a great introduction that made it accessible and actually super applicable to life on a day to day basis.
In this episode, we discussed:* Three key pieces that every newbie should know about their chart * How knowing and understanding your mid-heaven sign can support you if you want to turn your creative work into a career * How knowing your chart can help you get past the paralysis and fears of doing what’s in your heart to do (38:00 ish) * What it means to be on the cusp between two signs (47:00 ish)
Here’s how to find your 5th house on your astrology chart:
Connect with Karrie Myers TaylorKarrie Myers Taylor is a strategic Astrological Guide, specializing in Astrology for Business, Relationships & Health. Her in-person and online sessions empower you with practical, cosmic guidance to help you navigate your path and start living the life you were BORN to live.
Karrie’s accurate intuition, mindset re-patterning meditations, energetic healing techniques and real world strategies – combined with a 10+ year business background – has helped people across the globe bring their Soul Purpose down to earth and into the real world, manifesting the relationships, businesses and mindsets they’ve always wanted.
During these uncertain times, Karrie wants as many people as possible to feel empowered by the wisdom and guidance lying in their Astrology charts. You can sign up for her mailing list at www.km-taylor.com, anytime during the month of April 2020, and receive a 25% off promo code, redeemable for any of her LIVE online readings.
If you’d like to connect with Karrie, you can find her at:
- Insta: @selfKarrie
- FB: KM Taylor Astrology & Wellness
- YouTube: KM Taylor Channel
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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Maggy’s business and life philosophy is that our life is all just a made-up game, so we might as well play and play well! And, I couldn’t agree more.
Here’s one of my favorite quotes of the episode:
“Creativity is when we give ourselves full permission to play the games that we want to make up to play because they’re fun and interesting to us.”
Maggy Sterner
In this episode, we discussed:* why shifting your mindset to one of play and games make everything easier * how artists and writers can think of their brands in order to confidently share their work with the world * the “formula” for achieving the confidence to share your message and work with the world * how to tell the difference between creative exploration vs. getting totally off track
Connect with Maggy SternerMaggy Sterner is a brand and business coach. She helps coaches, consultants, and creatives get clarity about what they offer, find the words to tell people about it, and discover the confidence to stand for their superpower.
Her six-week virtual coaching program, PITCH POWER ® LIVE! : Get Clarity About What You Do & Confidence to Talk About It, is designed to help participants get clarity about the key parts of a brand and leaves them with a clear, simple, powerful elevator pitch they can use anywhere, anytime. This is an AMAZING program. Find the details here.
If you’d like to connect with Maggy, you can find her at:
- MaggySterner.com
- On Facebook
- On LinkedIn
- On Instagram
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read! Click here to leave a review. Then, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” Thanks so much!
Stay Connected with AmyTake the Quiz to find out your play persona and get started playing, creating, and enJOYing your life.
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Jewel Marin and I share a deep belief about creativity – that it’s a tool for self-discovery. As Jewel said, “It’s a light that helps you see all the treasures you have inside, and it helps you bring them forward to share with the world.”
Explore the things that light you up, start small, take baby steps, and have fun.
And keep creating. The world needs your joyful light that your creative gifts bring to us all. To sign up for the upcoming Artist's Way Creative Circle, click here.
In this episode, we discussed:* several strategies to both discover your life purpose and deepen your creative practice * taking baby steps and starting small can help you get past the fears of starting at all * how focusing on your joy and play during the quarantine of Covid 19 can help you get through the isolation and fear * the difference between your life purpose, your job, and your creative expression
Connect with Jewel MarinJewel Marin is from a long line of seers on both sides of her family and started her work in 2009 with a dramatic psychic awakening. She specializes in helping people connect to their life’s purpose and letting go of all blocks surrounding its expression. Her work uses creativity as a catalyst for healing and deep inner change, helping individuals play full-on in the game of life.
If you’d like to connect with Jewel, you can find her at:
- BodyInsights.com
- On Facebook
- On LinkedIn
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read! Click here to leave a review. Then, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” Thanks so much!
Stay Connected with AmyTake the Quiz to find out your play persona and get started playing, creating, and enJOYing your life.
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For those of us who like our routines, all the changes and fear can be incredibly disruptive and stressful, especially if we’ve set up creative conditions for ourselves. Basically, that means we have a set of conditions that we like to have in place when we do our creative work. So often, we think that we need things to be a certain WAY before we can create.
And, with all of the worry in the way, it can be extra hard to get to a space where we can create, even though that space can be the most healing space of all for us.
All the worry means it's EXTRA important that we do step out of the fear, dive into our creative practice, and rely on that to get through these times.
Keep creating. We need you!
In this solo episode, I discuss:* one way to step OUT of the worry that I discovered during an incredibly difficult time when my beloved husband was in the hospital for three months * creating ANYWAY, even during this trying time * how focusing on your creative process rather than the final product can help get you into your creative zone and a happier place
Links Mentioned in the ShowWhile I was recording this podcast, a happy moment of serendipity occurred. Lisa Natoli (my Course in Miracles teacher) sent an email announcing that she's offering her free 40 day program where she teaches how to watch your thoughts like a hawk, which is EXACTLY what I was talking about in this episode. It's such a great program. You can sign up here.
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read! Click here to leave a review. Then, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” Thanks so much!
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In this solo episode, I discuss:* how to feel into your intuition as a creative tool * how your intuition impacts each stage of the creative process * some ways to develop your intuition
Links Mentioned in the ShowEpisode 18 – finding ideas and inspiration with some creativity boosters
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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Stay Connected with AmyTake the Quiz to find out your play persona and get started playing, creating, and enJOYing your life.
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Fueling our creative practice is key to keeping our practice going and fun and inspired. These boosters are practices taht I use regularly, not every day, or even every week, but when I need them. Dip in. Try some out and reflect on your own life to discover what strategies you've got in your own toolbox that you might not even be aware of.
Click here to download a PDF with them all listed as well as a bonus quick write that has been proven to prime your brain for greater creativity and imaginative thinking.
In this solo episode, I discuss:* The four categories of creativity boosters * 13 different creativity boosters * how to use them to expand your own creative practice * a brief breathing practice/meditation
Links Mentioned in the ShowDownload a PDF with all the boosters listed + a bonus quick write
Episode 17 - on your creative Mindset with Dr. Deborah Fryer
Episode 5 - on making sure you get enough sleep to amp up your creativity
Episode 12 - on making time for your creativity and making it a habit
Episode 2 - on the Artist Date
Blog post with ideas for adding more PLAY to your life
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In our conversation, Deborah and I dove deep into embracing your creative mindset. Basically, if you're alive, you're a creative being. And as Deborah said, "You can't NOT create" because creativity starts with our thoughts. And we ALL think.
The problem with creating what we actually want happens when we get all up in our heads and self-sabotage our creative efforts. But self-sabotage looks different for everyone.
In this episode, we discussed:
- why we are all creative beings
- how deadlines can help us build the energy we need to create
- some strategies for slowing ourselves and becoming aware of when we’re going into self-sabotage
- Deborah's own creative process - whether that's making a film or writing a book
Connect with DeborahIf you’d like to connect with Deborah, you can find her at:
- DeborahFryer.com
- On Facebook
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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Today, I’m sharing some research behind why we get demotivated to actually make a decision when we’re faced with too many choices - it’s not you…it’s your brain.
And thankfully, there are some strategies and steps you can take to break it down, so you make a decision and begin creating.
In this solo episode, I discuss:* how we love the idea of options but too many options can demotivate us to act * how not deciding is still making a choice * four steps to overcome idea overwhelm and get started on a new project
Links Mentioned in the ShowBarry Schwartz's TED Talk, The Paradox of Choice
Episode 15 where Jackie Johnstone talks about an "idea shelf"
"Free Will" lyrics by Rush
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I started hearing of Human Design sometime in the summer of 2019. I was curious and looked it up but found it confusing and difficult to understand how it could apply in a useful way in my daily life.
Then, a friend shared that learning about their human design from this week’s guest had a significant impact on the ease and joy with which they approached their creative projects, whether that was their latest book or their business.
So, I connected with Jackie Johnstone, Human Design pro, and we dove in. Before you listen to this episode, go ahead and grab your chart at Jovianarchive.com or Mybodygraph.com.
You’ll need to know your place and TIME of birth, so you might have to grab your birth certificate before you head on over to one of the sites.
When you get your chart, it’s more than a little intimidating, but Jackie does a great job breaking down some of the most important elements, like your type and the best way to approach decision making for each type.
In episode, Jackie and I discuss:* A basic overview of the five types of human design * How your human design can help you make decisions that feel perfectly right for you * The best analogy ever of how we, as humans, make decisions intuitively and NOT from our mind and how those decisions can be much easier for us to follow through on and “go” with if we make them according to our design * How responding and diving into creating according to our design can have a dramatic (and positive) impact on our efforts
Resources & Links Mentioned in the Show Getting to Know You by Karen Flaherty – a good intro book with lots of real world examples * Understanding Human Design* by Karen Curry Park – A little more technical * @jes.fields on Instagram * @iampaigemichelle on Instagram
Connect with Jackie Johnstone* JackieJohnstone.com * Follow Jackie on Instagram – her fav place online
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read! Click here to leave a review. Then, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” Thanks so much!
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If you've ever fallen victim to the "not enough time" lie, we're tackling time and what to do when you just don't feel like you've got enough of it.
I'm here to tell you, you have plenty of time, it's all about figuring out what you're actually spending your time on, prioritizing your creativity, and committing to it.
You have a CHOICE as to how you spend your time. We can’t manage time. We can only manage ourselves, so let's learn how to do that.
In this solo episode, I discuss:* how we make ourselves "victims" of time * how you can identify your most common "time" bandits * mindset shifts that can actually create MORE time in your life * three key steps to get control of time and "find" the time to do the things you love
Links Mentioned in the ShowEmily Dickinson's poem, "The Clock Strikes One"
The clock strikes One --
That just struck Two --
Some schism in the SUM
A Vagabond from Genesis
Has wrecked the pendulum.
Episode 11 all about creative resistance
Take the "What's Your Play Persona?" Quiz
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Stay Connected with AmyTake the Quiz to find out your play persona and get started playing, creating, and enJOYing your life.
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Uma Girish is an award-winning author. Both of her most recent books were finalists for the Chicago Book Awards. After reading her Losing Amma, it is clear why. Her story is beautifully written, both heartwrenching and uplifting at the same time - no easy feat to achieve for a writer.
In this interview, we focus mostly on Uma’s second book, her memoir Losing Amma, Finding Home: A Memoir About Love, Loss, and Life’s Detours where she shares the deep pain of losing her mother while at the same time navigating an international move to the United States with a teenage daughter. It was through this struggle that she discovered her own life purpose to serve others, beginning with elders who lived in a retirement home before moving to hospice care.
Now, Uma serves women across the globe in her work as a spiritual mentor for women who are struggling with life changes. She continues to publish insightful weekly blog posts as well as books. Her next memoir which focuses on her father will be out in 2021.
In this episode, Uma shares:
- How being vulnerable and honest in her writing has allowed her to connect with others
- How she decides what to include in her memoirs
- Her writing process and how she actually gets the story out and onto the page
Connect with Uma Girish:* Umagirish.com - you can sign up for her newsletter and get her weekly missives on navigating the challenges life often serves us * Read one of Uma's books
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read! Click here to leave a review. Then, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” Thanks so much!
Stay ConnectedThinking of writing and publishing your own book? Sit back and listen in as three experts in the publishing field (an editor, author, and lit agent) share their best tips: https://amyisaman.com/publish
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Nicolle shared so many little gems in this episode but one of my favorites was when she shared that before she was able to create more space in her day, she had to recognize herself as a creator.
And while Nicolle calls herself a purposeful productivity coach, her planner is not about marking off as many tasks as possible. As she said in the interview, "Productivity is not the amount of things you get done in a day, it’s what you get done that matters to you."
In this episode, we also discussed:
- how to create your day that allows for creative pursuits AND the things you need to do
- tips for taking control of your day and moving from reacting to creating
- how to use your planner with intention but without making it another task
- her creative process for planning, designing, and actually publishing her new planner
We dove deep into taking control of your day and making progress on your big creative goals.
Links Mentioned in the Episode* Grab a Create Your Day Planner here: https://create-2020.com
Connect with Nicolle BennettIf you’d like to connect with Nicolle, you can find her:
- http://www.create-2020.com
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nsbcreate
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicollebennett/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nsbcreate/
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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One of my fav books on the creative process is The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield. He tackles this topic unapologetically, and it's one of my go-to books that I revisit every year or two.
Because unfortunately, the creative resistance beast is something that I'm struggling to slay right now. I know it well.
In this solo episode, I discuss:* what creative resistance actually is * why I don't think there's any such thing as "writer's block" * the surprising potential (and not so great) consequences of failing to break through creative resistance * three steps to break through it
Click here to read a transcript of this episode.
Links Mentioned in the Show Stephen Pressfield's book - The War of Art* * Episode 2 where I talk about taking yourself on an Artist's date to fire up your creativity * Episode 10 where Abby Beauchamp talked about realizing that her couch was a much better creative "space" for her to write than her office * Two posts with warm-ups and ideas to get your creative writing juices flowing: + Writing prompts can boost your creativity + Warm up to write: 4 strategies + 20 prompts * Subscribe to the newsletter to hear about upcoming programs mentioned in the episode.
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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If you know me, you might know that on the Enneagram, I'm a 7 and when I get an idea, I tend to run with it. I have no idea what my guest Abby Beauchamp is on the Enneagram, but I love that when she got her call to write the book, she did it. It took her a bit to drill down her topic, but once she did that, she was off and not only writing but also publishing. And now, she's on her second non-fiction work.
While she shared quite a few gems in our interview, one of my favorites was when she said, "Own that you know something to share with the world."
Own it.
Even if you think you're not a writer, you ARE an expert in something, and if you feel that calling to write about it, do it.
In this episode, we also discussed:
- the mindset shift it took for Abby to own her desire to write and actually do it while she was a busy business owner and single-mom
- her scheduling tip that allowed her to get it done
- how listening and being open to the messages she was receiving was key to her creative process
- three specific techniques for centering yourself to get in touch with your creative intuitive self before a writing session
If you're ready to get your book going, listen in. Then, head on over to amyisaman.com/publish and register for the "How to Publish Your Book Q&A Series" with a pro editor, agent, and me.
Links Mentioned in the Episode* Sign up for the Get Your Book Published Q&A 3-Part Series with an editor, an author, and a literary agent.
Connect with AbbyIf you'd like to connect with Abby, you can find her:
- http://www.OrthoHealingCenter.com
- Find Abby on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/podcastingninja
- Abby's YouTube Channel
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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Beginning a project or learning a new creative skill can be terrifying and hard. We're not good at it. It can be uncomfortable to be crappy at something.
But it can also be SO much fun, especially if you accept that you're a beginner.
In this solo episode, I talk about:* Four principles that I've learned about beginning so many projects that have helped me keep going * Some of my own beginner failures * How we learn in "pieces" can impact our overall success
Links Mentioned in the Show* Episode 3 where I interviewed illustrator Ashley Bradley, my hand lettering teacher * Subscribe to the newsletter to hear about upcoming programs mentioned in the episode.
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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There are those people who have a plethora of ideas, they know exactly which idea they are going to explore and create, and they do it without any hesitation or doubt. Then, there are the rest of us.
In this week's episode, I discuss the beginning stages of the creative process which is actually coming up with an idea to create and bring into the world. Some of us know what we want to create but need to narrow those ideas down. Some of us need to go deep and reconnect with our creative selves to find that inspiration and come up with ideas.
In this solo episode, I talk about:* How we are ALL creative (yes, even you) * The roll your inner critic plays in your creative process * How to work with your inner critic AND keep moving forward * Strategies to connect with your inspiration and find your next idea * A brief meditation to get our of your head and into your body to meet your creativity
Links Mentioned in the Show Big Magic* by Elizabeth Gilbert * Subscribe to my newsletter to hear about upcoming programs mentioned in the episode.
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Throughout this episode, Yong shares her wisdom and insight she's learned over years of working as a creative. And yes, she was my teacher who helped get Dear Creativity...Let's Play out of my head and actually uploaded onto your podcast player.
In this episode, we discuss:
- the importance of setting aside time and scheduling in creative time
- how Yong batches work and tasks to free up time to be more creative
- how she nurtures her own creativity
- the serendipitous fun that happens when we start sharing our dreams (I swear - the universe is listening)!
If you're ready to start your own podcast and create something new and fun, check out episode 7.
Connect with Yong* YongPratt.com * Find Yong on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/podcastingninja * Yong's In a Weekend Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-young-creators/id1084833821?mt=2
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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Do you have a book that you want to write? Or a creative avenue you want to head down, but you haven't told anyone except maybe your bestie or your journal about this little (not so little) dream of yours?
This week on the podcast I share my story and fears of reclaiming and owning my identity as a writer and creative. It can be so incredibly scary to share those innermost dreams we've got, AND it can be so worth it.
In this solo episode, I talk about:
- How keeping our dreams to ourselves can keep them perfect
- How actually doing the thing might mess it up
- The good that can come from the messy parts of doing the work
- The ugly stage that every project ever goes through
- My own personal terror I felt when I publically claimed my voice and authority as a writer
- An invitation to claim your own creativity and share it
Links Mentioned in the Show* My very first blog post ever (it's still "live) where I declare that I am a writer.
Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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This week my friend Brittney Stefanic joined me to talk all about sleep, that sometimes elusive, always wonderful, thing we do each and every night.
I’ve known Brittney since we worked together teaching at the local high school, and we both have since left and followed our entrepreneurial dreams. Brittney’s dream began after her son was born and she discovered that her beloved new little baby was having a massive (and not so welcome) impact on her sleep...until she discovered that she could teach her new little guy to sleep.
Shortly thereafter, she became a certified sleep consultant and has since launched the Sleeper Teachers Agency, where she and her team educate and support families around the world in finding sleep solutions.
In this episode, Brittney and I talk about:
- Your sleep hygiene (yep, that’s a thing)
- How bedtime screen time can impact your sleep (and not in a good way)
- How to set yourself up so you can stay asleep ALL night long
- Why sleeping enough is key to your creative brain power
- The alarming physical impacts of a chronic sleep debt
- A few tips for setting up a sleep sanctuary
- And...a fun example of how REM sleep can amp up our creativity and problem solving in our waking life
Links Mentioned in the Show* sleeperteachers.com
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And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read! Click here to leave a review. Then, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” Thanks so much!
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When you have an idea, a project, a creative “thing” that you want to do, does your mind pipe up with all kinds of reasons that doing that “thing” is just NOT a good idea?
Good news is that you’re not alone AND there's a way past it.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- About the paradox of getting started
- Why we don’t move forward with projects
- Two key strategies for getting past the block and getting started
Like the Podcast?
Are you a subscriber? If not, invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.
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Stay Connected
Take the Quiz to find out your play persona and get started playing and creating in your life: https://amyisaman.com/quiz
Connect with Amy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoramyisaman
Connect with Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyisamancreative
After having her second child, and then a third shortly thereafter, Ashley Bradley learned that while she loves her kids (and they will get fed), she must feed herself with a steady diet of creative pursuits. As a self-taught graphic artist and illustrator, Ashley has grappled with the creative demons that plague many of us.
In this episode Ashley and I talk about:
- The innate creativity we all have and how we MUST express it in some way
- Imposter syndrome and taking baby steps to work through that
- How saying YES to creative opportunities can push us even when it's scary and we don't feel ready
- And the art hole...the space where Ashley creates
About Ashley:
Ashley is the founder and owner of The Rosie Pen, where she designs graphics and illustrations for clients. She also teaches hand and brush lettering classes. You can find her on instagram @therosiepen or you can browse her etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/therosiepen.
Stay Connected
Take the Quiz to find out your play persona and get started playing and creating in your life: https://amyisaman.com/quiz
Connect with Amy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoramyisaman
Connect with Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyisamancreative
Our creativity can get blocked when we're in that vicious cycle of guilt because we don't feel we're "caught up enough" to be entitled to "enjoy." How do we begin to do the thing we’re called to do when it can feel really scary and big and hard?
The answer is to do it with intention and plan it.
I'm talking today about a super fun tool to feed your creativity - I call them creative play dates, but they’re also known as artists dates.
The creative play date is the planting of the seed AND the sowing of the soil. It gives us the ideas that we can play with in our creative work AND it gives us the courage and space to actually do the work.
We need both - the ideas and the courage, right?
In this episode I’m sharing:* Why plan and take yourself on a creative play date * Ideas for your own creative play dates * Some of my own creative play dates * Head to https://amyisaman.com/podcast/episode2/ to see the images I took of my studio visit
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Let's stay ConnectedTake the Quiz to find out your play persona and get started playing and creating in your life: https://amyisaman.com/quiz
Connect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoramyisaman
Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyisamancreative
Welcome to the pilot episode of the Dear Creativity...Let’s Play Podcast!
If you are ready to reconnect with your creativity and play, you’re in the right spot. This podcast is for you if you want to spend time playing with what lights you up through reconnecting with your creativity but aren’t sure where to start or need support in continuing down the creative path. I believe that everyone is innately creative, and life can be so much more fun and joyful when we heed that call to connect with our creativity and actually begin creating our thing.
I’ll be here to help you reconnect with and reignite your creativity so you can confidently, consistently, and most of all joyfully create whatever that thing is that’s calling to you whether that’s through sharing my own creative journey, lessons, and thoughts or whether it’s through interviewing guest experts and creatives. Each week, we’ll be talking about creating.
In this episode I’m sharing:
- A bit about me and my own creative journey as a writer and quilter
- Some key lessons learned as I ventured into creative entrepreneurship
- How I reconnected to my own creativity and play which got me back on track and in a much more heart-centered creative space
- What I believe about creativity and creating
Learn More
Find out more at:www.amyisaman.com
Connect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoramyisaman
Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyisamancreative