If I can't be a dragon-whisperer, can I at least have a talking dog?
Writers, dancers, painters, and musicians all have something to teach us about how create. That's why I read my way through The History of Middle-Earth: Volumes 6 - 9. These books are about how J.R.R. Tolkien wrote his masterpiece Lord of the Rings. They try their best to show when and how he came up... Continue Reading →
In the whirlwind of November, when I am busy writing for NaNoWriMo*, it's easy to forget things I've learned in previous years. I start asking myself questions and am too tired to remember the answers. I forget basic things I once knew. This year I've made a list to refer to and I'm sharing it... Continue Reading →
My creative process is a cycle, which means I go through the same stages over and over and over and over again. You'd think I'd get used to each stage and know exactly what was coming, what to expect, and how to handle it. But that never seems to happen. Instead, I get bogged down,... Continue Reading →
Money makes the world go 'round. But if we focus only on money, we miss out. My creative activities currently provide me with no monetary profit. Instead, they give the gifts of challenge, discovery, connection, satisfaction, and joy. Last time I looked, none of these things could be bought at the store. One man's waste... Continue Reading →
During my six-week Sketchbook Skool (SBS) drawing class, I kept recognizing that things I know about writing also apply to drawing. Are they universal creative process rules? Maybe. That these two activities I love have so much in common surprises me. Here's what I've learned about writing and drawing: 1) Lock the Inner Critic in... Continue Reading →
As I consider my goals for the coming year, I find myself wondering if it makes sense to put deadlines on creative projects. I've been thinking a lot lately about the importance of slowing down when I create, whether I am trying to draw my dog, develop a pattern for a soft sculpture giraffe, or... Continue Reading →
As an eight-time NaNoWriMo veteran, you'd think I would have all the answers when it comes to writing a 50,000 word novel in thirty days. Certainly, I know a lot about it and have strategies for dealing with many of the challenges involved. But here I am in the middle of my ninth year and... Continue Reading →
It's Day 3 of NaNoWriMo (the challenge: write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days), and I am having the usual early day struggles. Because I don't plan ahead, I have to do a lot of brainstorming and heavy thinking between writing sessions. In the past, I've had my story idea arrive as late as November 1st,... Continue Reading →
Last week, I hiked up to Ruby Jewel Lake with my husband. The three-mile trail was steep and rocky, with patches of ice and snow, and the air was thin (we were over 11,000 feet). To add to the fun, we lost our way and wound up making an exhausting climb off-trail to get to... Continue Reading →
