I’m returning to putting this all in an email because the response has been that going to the Web site first has been difficult for some folks. It will still appear on the Web site; however, we’ll have it in our mailing list as well (again.)
Are you doing the work to be an author?
Workshop last night was great. At least, I thought so. So sorry that some of you missed it. I do need to correct some information from last night. I gave the wrong author name for a book out there. My apologies. It is Steven PRESSFIELD, not Presser. My apologies. You can find his two great books about writing that I was talking about:
I encourage you all to read it. Unless you’re catching up on THE ARTIST’S WAY. Do that first. Then check out Mr. Pressfield’s stuff.
**********
We’re finishing up the last of Week 11. We had fun with some of the exercises and tasks last night in the work shop, as well as discussing moving from being a Writer to being an Author. Some of us are going to get an email and/or a letter to our inner artist. What fun! Looking to receiving mine.
Here’s your tasks for today (this week), from page 191 in Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way.
Most of what we’re doing is lots of examination, introspection and reflection. So take the time to do these exercises and really spend the energy that you do as a writer thinking — and think about these things:
9. Once more, reexamine your God concept. Does your belief system limit or suport your creative expansion? Are you open minded about altering your concept of God (the Great Creator? The Energy of the Universe?
10. List ten examples of personal synchronicity that support the possibility of a nurturing creative force.
I have found that personal synchronicity increases (or at least my ability to recognize it) when I’ve done my morning pages and explored areas in my life that are needing nurturing and loving action. Amazing how much positive energy those morning pages produce. Are you doing your morning pages? How about the loving action to give yourself an artist date? Those in the workshop yesterday were given the task to plan one week’s worth of nurturing for themselves. This means one concrete, loving action every single day for one week, even allowing yourself to binge on loving yourself, pampering yourself, even dreaming of the ultimate week of nurturing and pampering yourself. It can be something as simple as going for a walk, instead of eating your lunch at a cubicle. The next day replacing your beat up notebook that holds your morning pages and only has a few pages left with a beautiful one covered in Octopuses because dang it you love those silly creatures. Or even allowing yourself to buy a favorite childhood treat (how many licks does it take to get to the center of the Tootsie Pop?). You get the picture. Now go and do it. Be nurturing to yourself and your inner artist.
*********
Don’t forget Writer’s Cafe at Sawdust Coffee in North Bend beginning at 6 p.m. until about 9 p.m.
Next cafe is the Day Trippers gathering at The Black Dog in Snoqualmie on Friday at 9:30 a.m.
And Monday Muse is still alive at Pioneer Coffee at 11 a.m. (I’m even going to make an honest change effort to send out a reminder).
**********
And now your moment of Writing Zen:
“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.” ~Albert Einstein
“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron
Greetings to you. The frogs serenaded me last night; the birds awoke me with their songs.
Spring is here. It will fight an epic battle for the next few weeks with Old Man Winter. But she is here. There is a sense of newness in the air (I moved my winter greens to their Spring-time beds), and I saw a doe and fawn early this morning. It’s all right here in front of us. But, sometimes I think we let the world and all its troubles detract us from the goodness and beauty right in front of us. I hope you have a chance to pause and reflect and allow the goodness and beauty to seep into you.
Enjoying life doesn’t mean there isn’t work, however. But, when it’s writing work, creative work, it doesn’t feel like work, right?
Today we continue making our way through the very last of The Artist’s Way.
Today’s task is this:
Build yourself a special creativity notebook. Number pages one through seven. Give one page each to the following categories: health, possessions, leisure, relationships, creativity, career, and spirituality. With no thought as to practicality, list ten wishes in each area. All right, it’s a lot. Let yourself dream a little here.
That’s it. No other task this week from us. Just do that one. But you do have an opportunity tonight at the Writer’s Café at Sawdust Coffee in North Bend, beginning at 6 p.m. to complete this task/prompt/creative nudge.
If you don’t have an artist’s date planned this week, please consider supporting one of our fellow writers and artists in the valley by attending a book launch/signing in North Bend.
Agatha Hattie – Queen of the Night, written by our own Jacquelyn Fedyk and illustrated by local favorite artist, Leslie Nan Moon are being hosted by Selah Gifts on Saturday, March 9th, at Noon until 2 p.m. There will be a reading, signing, and definitely a chance for you to acquire as many copies of this great children’s book. Please consider setting aside some time to support them. For more information, please visit http://agathahattie.wordpress.com/
Next work session for the group is March 12 at the North Bend Library at 6 p.m. Hope to see you all there.
And now your moment of Writing Zen:
“To keep the body in good health is a duty…Otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” ~Buddha
Great Work Shop last night. I can tell winter is wearing on folks as our numbers always seem to dwindle in late February/early March. Hope to see more of you on March 12.
We are now on Week 11 of The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. It’s clear folks are really beginning to recover their creativity and be good to their inner artist. That’s fantastic and what it’s all about.
In this chapter we focus on our artistic autonomy. We examine the ongoing ways in which we must nurture and accept ourselves as artists. We explore the behaviors that can strengthen our spiritual base and, therefore, our creative power. We take a special look at the ways in which success must be handled in order that we not sabotage our freedom.
We will be working on acceptance of self as an artist. I’ve had you do this exercise before, but we’ll do it again.
Say these words a loud: “I am an artist.”
Again.
Once more, and with feeling!
Awesome.
Oh, you didn’t do it.
Turn around and do it. Excuse yourself to a private place, if necessary. But say, “I am an artist.” And say it out loud for your own ears to hear three times.
We’ll be focusing on how success is creativity. How creativity is a spiritual practice.
We’ll be focusing on what Cameron calls “The Zen of Sports.” Basically that’s doing things like walking, or running, or a Zumba class to get the brain waves into a zone that allows for open channels to creativity.
We’ll be looking at building an artist’s altar. We just said that creativity is a spiritual practice. You’ll need to create some “rituals” towards your creativity. Some of you may already have them. Some of you maybe just need permission to building these spaces and actions. Some of you just need to know this is a part of The Artist’s Way.
Tasks:
Tape your own voice reading the Basic Principles. (See Page 3). Choose a favorite essay from this book and record that as well. Use it as a meditation. (Ifyou do not have a copy of The Artist’s Way – just choose any inspirational essay. However, here’s some from Cameron that you might choose.)
Write out, in longhand, your Artist’s Prayer from Week Four. Place it in your wallet.
Those are the tasks for this week.
Those who went to the workshop – don’t forget: One lovely thing for you – just yourself – each day for the next seven days.
For those that didn’t attend the workshop and want to know what that is…be sure to join us March 12, so you don’t miss out.
And now your moment of Writing Zen:
“Art does not reproduce the visible; rather, it makes it visible. The moon develops creativity as chemicals develop photographic images.” ~Norma Jean Harris
Remember Writer’s Café is tonight at SawDust Coffee Co. in the North Bend outlet mall. 6 p.m.
Let’s get right to our prompt, ok?
We’re back at Week 10 tasks from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.
We’re looking at touchstones today.
Touchstones: Make a quick list of things you love, happiness touchstones for you. River rocks worn smooth, willow trees, cornflowers, chicory, real Italian break, homemade vegetable soup, the Bo Deans’ music, black beans and rice, the smell of new mown grass, blue velvet (the cloth and the song), Aunt Minnie’s crumb pie…
Post this list where it can console you and remind you of your own personal touchstones. You may want to draw one of the items on your list – or acquire it. If you love blue velvet, get a remnant and use it as a runner on a sideboard or dresser, or tack it to the wall and mount images on it. Play a little.
That’s it for today.
We will finish the tasks of Week 10 during our next Work Session. We’ll be talking about the Awful Truth regarding our creative life. Setting a Bottom Line and Cherishing. Hope you all will join me – Feb. 26 at the North Bend Library Meeting Room at 6 p.m.Please RSVP. Bring supplies to be ready to write.
And now your moment of Writing Zen:
“How often – even before we began – have we declared a task impossible? And how often have we construed a picture of ourselves as being inadequate? A great deal depends upon the thought patterns we choose and on the persistence with which we affirm them.” ~Piero Ferrucci
Quick administrative notes before we dive into this week’s writing tasks –
We need a “host” for the Write-Ins on Friday mornings and Mid-Day on Mondays.
Any volunteers?
Our Friday one is 9:30 a.m. to Noonish (currently at the Black Dog) and Mid-Day Muse is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (currently at Pioneer Café). Locations could be changed, but SnoValley Writes! needs someone to volunteer to make sure that a table of writers is started. Let me know if you’re interested in doing this.
Alright…now for our writerly workings for the week…
We’re working through the tasks of Week 10: Recovering a Sense of Self-Protection within The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.
Note: Many of you have come to me and said that this work we’ve been doing going through The Artist’s Way has been enlightening, difficult, helpful, hard, and oh, so, inspiring. I’m glad so many of you are getting so much out of it. Like I’ve told you in the past, this is my third time through it and I still gather benefit from the exercises, tasks and stories within its pages.
Now for this week’s Tasks:
The Deadlies: Take a piece of paper and cut seven small strips from it. On each strip write one of the following words: alcohol, sex, work, money, food, family/friends. Fold these strips of paper and place them in an envelope. We call these folded slips the deadlies. You’ll see why in a minute. Now draw one of the deadlies from the envelope and write five ways in which it has had a negative impact on your life. (If the one you choose seems difficult or inapplicable to you, consider this resistance.) You will do this seven times, each time putting back the previous slip of paper so that you are always drawing from seven possible choices. Yes, you may draw the same deadly repeatedly. Yes, this is significant. Very often, it is the last impact on the final list of an annoying, “Oh no, not again” that yields a break, through denial, into clarity.
This one is a lot of work and I really want you all to work on this one. So, be sure to get it done.
And now your moment of Writing Zen:
“Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things.” ~Edgar Degas
Don’t forget, Writer’s Café tonight! 6 p.m. at Sawdust Café in North Bend.
I’ve lost count how many years I’ve been sending out these prompts. I know it’s been a lot, however. I hope that it helps keep you focused on your literary passions and continuing to seek out your dreams and goals.
We are continuing with Week 10 of our group effort working through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. This week we explore the perils that can ambush us on our creative path. Because creativity is a spiritual issue, many of the perils are spiritual perils. In the essays, tasks, and exercised this week, we search out the toxic pattern we cling to that block our creative flow.
But, before we dive into that, a few administrative notes… We continue to want to make our Web site the best it can be. Please let me know what you would like to see with the Web site. We are open to suggestions. Just remember, this is volunteer work and we have zero budget. Anyhow, let me know and we’ll do what we can to increase the sites usefulness to everyone who calls themselves part of SnoValley Writes!
Also, next work session is Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. I’m looking forward to seeing you all again (and hopefully this nasty crud I’ve contracted will be gone). Please RSVP, so I can lesson plan accordingly. Homework is to just be there and be ready to write.
Okay, onto Recovering a Sense of Self-Protection.
I must say that personally, it’s good that this chapter is coming at this time in my life. Self-protection hasn’t been one of my strongest characteristics and I’ve been working hard to improve that. Won’t you join me?
In Week 10 Chapters, the author talks about the dangers of the creativity trail, workaholism, anxiety, creative drought, fame, and competition. I encourage you all to get The Artist’s Way and read these sections.
Our first work is to take a workaholic quiz:
I work outside of office hours: seldom, often, never?
I cancel dates with loved ones to do more work: seldom, often, never?
I postpone outings until the deadline is over: seldom, often, never?
I take work with me on weekends: seldom, often, never?
I take work with me on vacations: seldom, often, never?
I take vacations: seldom, often, never?
My intimates complain I always work: seldom, often, never?
I try to do two things at once: seldom, often, never?
I allow myself free time between projects: seldom, often, never?
I allow myself to achieve closure on tasks: seldom, often, never?
I procrastinate in finishing up the last loose ends: seldom, often, never?
I set out to do one job and start on three more at the same time: seldom, often, never?
I work in the evenings during family time: seldom, often, never?
I allow calls to interrupt – and lengthen – my work day: seldom, often, never?
I prioritize my day to include an hour of creative work/play: seldom, often, never?
I place my creative dreams before my work: seldom, often, never?
I fall in with others’ plans and fill my free time with their agendas: seldom, often, never?
I allow myself down time to do nothing: seldom, often, never?
I use the word deadline to describe and rationalize my workload: seldom, often, never?
Going somewhere, even to dinner, with a notebook or my work numbers is something I do: seldom, often, never?
In order to recover our creativity, we must learn to see workaholism as a block instead of building block. Work abuse creates in our artist a Cinderella Complex. We are always dreaming of the ball and always experiencing the ball and chain.
There is a difference between zestful work towards a cherished goal and workaholism. That difference lies less in the hours than it does in the emotional quality of the hours spent. There is a treadmill quality to workaholism. We depend on our addiction and we resent it. For a workaholic, work is synonymous with worth, and so we are hesitant to jettison any part of it
In striving to clear the way for our creative flow we must look at our work habits very clearly. We may not think we overwork until we look at the hours we put in. We may think our work is normal until we compare it with a normal 40-hour week. One way to achieve clarity about out time expenditures is to keep a daily checklist and record of our time spent. (I did this in my morning pages for some time…It’s very enlightening.) Even an hour of creative work/play can go a long way toward offsetting the sense of workaholic desperation that keeps our dreams at bay.
Because workaholism is a process addiction (an addiction to a behavior rather than a substance), it is difficult to tell when we are indulging in it. An alcoholic gets sober by abstaining from alcohol. A workaholic gets sober by abstaining from overwork. The trick is to define overwork – and this is where we often lie to ourselves, bargaining to hold on to those abusive behaviors that still serve us.
In order to guard against rationalization, it is very useful to set a bottom line. Each person’s bottom line is different but should specifically mention those behaviors known to be off-limits. These specific behaviors make for immediate recovery than a vague, generic resolve to do better.
If you really have no time, you need to make some room. It is more likely, however, that you have the time and are misspending it. Your tie log will help you find those areas where you need to create boundaries. Boundary is another way to say bottom line. “Bottom line, I will not ________________.” That is your boundary. (We’ll be practicing this soon.)
*****
And now your moment of Writing Zen: “Saying no can be the ultimate self-care.” ~Claudia Black
Most times you get this directly to your Email. This week, I sent you simply a link to our web site, to get the information there. Please feel free to comment there, as well, on the information contained therein.
When was the last time you positively affirmed either “I am a writer,” or “I am an artist?”
Don’t know?
Well say it with me now. Out loud. Doesn’t matter where you are.
“I am a writer.”
“I am an artist.”
**********
So it’s Artist Way Check-In Time.
Look folks, it’s been more than a year that we’ve been working on The Artist’s Way. I’m really hoping that you’re beginning to do some of these “habits” to nurture your “inner artist child” and find your path to creative recovery. It’s a long and arduous journey. The abuse to our inner child was long in the making. We’re not going to fully heal over night. So, don’t just think you can give up on these habits. They are life long.
If you’ve truly been doing these habits and have no sense of recovery, I’d really like to know. For those who have been doing these weekly habits, the exercises, the tasks, tell me how you’re doing. Answer the questions below in the comment section:
1. How many days this week (since last Wednesday) did you do your morning pages? Regarding your U-turns, have you allowed yourself a shift toward compassion, at least on the page?
2. Did you do your artist date this week? Have you kept the emphasis on fun? What did you do? How did it feel?
3. Did you experience any synchronicity this week? What was it?
4. Were there any other issues this week that you consider significant for your recovery? Describe them.
Again, please answer in the comment section below.
And now your Moment of Writing Zen:
“When we are really honest with ourselves we must admit our lives are all that really belong to us. So it is how we use our lives that determines the kind of men we are.” ~Cesar Chavez
“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron
I hope you all made great plans for your “writing year” last night.
My apologies that I could not be with you all. Trust me, I’d rather been with you all. I’m sure that Sheri & Takako took great care of you. My energy and passion for literary arts is matched, if not exceeded by those two.
Our weekly writing prompts & the remainder of our work sessions through March will include finishing up The Artist’s Way journey. Then we’re going to be amp’ing things up, as I’ve taken inspiration from our fellow member Jackie Fedyk and am designing a do-it-yourself master in fine arts of creative writing plan. So if you’re like me and can’t pursue a course of study (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) because of family responsibilities and financial restraints, I think you’ll find this course of study to be very enlightening. Be advised, if you put your energies into this, it will push you out of your comfort zone and you will learn and expand your craft and your level of “artist.” I promise. Like everything we do together as a group — you get out of it what you put into it. But, SnoValley Writes! will happily direct, encourage, mentor and cheer you on as we do this path together. So clear your calendars for the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month. And join us at the North Bend Library between 6 and 8 p.m. Next work session is February 12th.
In the meantime the writing cafes continue. Come when you can; leave when you must. Come be inspired, network, get help, write with your head down or socialize.
Wednesdays – Sawdust Cafe – 6 to 9 p.m.
Fridays – The Black Dog – 9:30 a.m. to about Noon
Mondays – Pioneer Cafe — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
**********
Today’s writing tasks continues in Chapter 9 of The Artist’s Way.
Visualizing: You have already done work with naming your goal and identifying true north. The following exercise asks you to fully imagine having your goal accomplished. Please spend enough time to fill in the juicy details that would really make the experience wonderful for you.
Name your goal: I am______________________________________________.
In the present tense, describe yourself doing it at the height of your powers! This is your ideal scene.
Read this aloud to yourself.
Post this above your work area.
Read this aloud, daily!
For the next week collect actual pictures of yourself and combine them with magazine images to collage your ideal scene described above. Remember, seeing is believing, and the added visual cue of your real self in your ideal scene can make it far more real.
Priorities: List for yourself your creative goals for the year. List for yourself your creative goals for the month. List for yourself your creative goals for the week.
Creative U-Turns: All of us have taken creative U-turns. Name one of yours. Name three more. Name the one that just kills you.
Forgive yourself. Forgive yourself for all failures of nerve, timing, and initiative. Devise a personalized list of affirmations to help you do better in the future.
Very gently, very gently consider whether any aborted abandoned, savaged, or sabotaged brain-children can be rescued. Remember, you are not alone. All of us have taken creative U-turns.
Choose one creative U-turn. Retrieve it. Mend it.
Do not take a creative U-turn now. Instead, notice your resistance. Morning pages seeming difficult? Stupid? Pointless? Too Obvious? Do them anyway.
What creative dreams are lurching toward possibility? Admit that they frighten you.
Choose and artist totem. It might be a doll, a stuffed animal, a carved figuring, or a wind-up toy. (Wrimos for Rhinos anyone?) The point is to choose something you immediately feel a protective fondness toward. Give your totem a place of honor and then honor it by not beating up on your artist child.
**********
And now your moment of Writing Zen:
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” ~Albert Einstein
“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron
I’m trying to brush off the cold and the rustiness to my creative life. Hopefully, you are, too.
I have to make this quick this week to just remind you that:
a) Writer’s Cafe tonight at Sawdust Cafe at the North Bend Outlet Mall. 6 to 9 p.m.
b) Regular Work Sessions return — Jan. 22 — Yes! Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. at the North Bend Library. This session will be a goal setting session. Bring a calendar or notebook or anything else you think would be goo to get yourself organized for 2013’s writing goals.
c) If you have some writing success to share or like, you know, a signing or reading coming up, please let us know so we can let the whole membership know.
And now your moment of Writing Zen:
“Any idiot can face a crisis — it’s the day-to-day living that wears you out.” ~Anton Chekhov
“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron
Merry Holidays All. May your days be bright and your nights brighter. This is your last prompt for 2012. We’ll return in 2013, but we’re taking our annual Yuletide hiatus. Take some time and enjoy your family and the quiet moments that the extended dark can provide. Do some introspection. Feel. Eat. Drink. Be Merry. Live.
*********
I made a faux pas last week when I talked about the Tuesday night Writers’ Cafe being only twice a month. It will continue each week, but on Wednesday nights now. They are on hiatus until January 9th, where you will find them once again at Sawdust Cafe beginning at 6 p.m. The Friday DayTrippers is still going on Fridays currently at The Black Dog; however, I believe that may change down the road. More to follow on that; however, right now it remains at The Black Dog. Also, the Midday Monday Muse at 11 a.m. at Pioneer Cafe continues as well. Just mark your calendars and take advantage of the motivation that comes along with connecting with a group of writers for just a small time each week.
**********
Your prompt this week is a long but detailed one:
Read your morning pages! This process is best undertaken with two colored markers, one to highlight insights and another to highlight actions needed. Do not judge your pages or yourself. This is very important. Yes, they will be boring. Yes, they may be painful. Consider them a map. Take them as information, not an indictment.
Take Stock: Who have you consistently been complaining about? What have you procrastinated on? What blessedly have you allowed yourself to change or accept?
Take Heart: Many of us notice an alarming tendency toward black-and-white thinking: “He’s terrible. He’s wonderful. I love him. I hate him. It’s a great job. It’s a terrible job,” and so forth. Don’t be thrown by this.
Acknowledge: The pages have allowed us to vent without self-destruction, to plan without interference, to complain without an audience, to dream without restriction, to know our own minds. Give yourself credit for undertaking them. Give them credit for the changes and growth they have fostered.
**********
And if you have few morning pages to read? Then you know what your prompt also is: DO YOUR MORNING PAGES. As I’ve said before, it doesn’t have to be morning — although the most powerful things I’ve written happen there for me. For you, it may be mid-day, or the evening, or in the wee hours of the night. You decide. But daily stream-of-conscious journaling should be a part of your routine.
**********
And now your moment of Writing Zen:
“Be really whole
And all things will come to you.” ~Lao-Tzu
**********
Again, have a blessed season and we’ll see you again (at least virtually) Jan. 9th.
“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron
