RESPECT YOUR CREATIVE LIFE
Here we are rolling into the holidays with extra things to do and family time. Many of us are currently shooting for 50k words during NaNoWriMo. It’s difficult to stay focused when you have a day job and extra things are nagging you.
During this time, well, at any time of the year, it’s important for us to set aside time to create. I found this month, that when I made a plan to write (for the most part) I’ve stuck to the plan. That’s right, I wrote down how I could create daily even it if it is only a little bit here and a little there.
We are all creative in one way or another. Look for ways to cultivate your creative life, whatever that looks like to you. Read more and keep your eyes, your ears, and your senses open for inspiration. Jot down quotes, questions, and ideas, a creative schedule in a journal or planner. Go back to them at times to add to them. If you do this you’ll truly find positive benefits to creativity.
Also, if you didn’t make the 50K, or are not even close. Maybe you couldn’t work on a certain project because your brain is overloaded with other things. This does not make you less of a creative! Respect the moment you’re in now in all ways in life and creativity.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
I’ve also learned this month to do the thing in front of me first. Many of us creatives lapse into dreaming at times and wish we could arrive and be doing. Taking the next step seems boring. To say the least, I’ve learned a number of things this month. One of them is that DOING at times can be mundane. We want to reach our dreams and start to see our creative life take off. The other thing I’ve learned is that you can daydream your life away. It’s important to dream, but oftentimes it’s the step right in front of you is all you can control in this moment. Take on the moment and DO. Once you began doing you’ll start to see progression in your artistic life.
ON PROCRASTINATION
If you want your creative courage muscles to grow, be actively engage in your project daily. We all have lapses in creativity, especially now with extra celebrations around the corner. Yes, take time for family! Take a long bath. Relax on a chill day. What I did for a long time was continuously setting aside creativity in my life. I used to do that- A LOT! When I kept setting it aside there was no way I could take the time to practice and hone what I’d already learned. Not to mention continuous progress was not a thing I was experiencing.
ON COMPARISON
This is tough for me. REALLY tough. I will admire someone else’s work at the same time lapse into comparison. I forget they are talented and are unique, but so am I! Our uniqueness is what makes our art special. This is now my mantra. Be aware of the tendency to compare and teach yourself how to celebrate other people’s successes. We can sincerely congratulate a friend for getting the creative opportunity you were hoping for in your own life. But don’t compare yourself to them with your progression. If you’re continuously progressing in your creativity then you can truly be happy for them.
TRY SOMETHING NEW
Another way to increase courage as an artist is to try something new. We all get into creative ruts that are comfortable. Mine was memoir, where truth be told it was never that comfortable for me. A few years ago, I thought of a great historical fiction novel to write. I let it sit around in my head and atrophy for awhile because I was a memoirist, not a fiction writer. GAH!!! A little over a year ago I began to seriously think about it. I began research in earnest. Then I truly started to write it. Now, the words flow out of me. The words are truly flowing for first time AND I’m enjoying the craft of writing. Trying new artistic endeavor taught me to think in different ways. It’s making me a stronger writer. And I’m having fun!
It’s exciting to dip into more than one creative medium too. Past artists did it as well. One of the most favorite articles I wrote this last year was Are you Renaissance Folk in Modern Times?
Or maybe you could submit to a contest, or anthology. Currently, Indie It Press has a submission open for our Courageous Creative Anthology.
IT’S ABOUT FUN
It’s scary putting yourself out there. I’m always afraid it will be wrong, I’ll do something wrong, or it’s not good enough. For me, I’m beginning to practice sharing my art with others. I need to remember to have fun, and not be so serious about my art that I can’t embrace what it is and laugh about it sometimes.
Every day I work on being a courageous creative. Sharing with my Carpe Diem writing group has helped me find my newfound love for writing and my project. My goal is to get 50k words written on this historical fiction novel. The reality is I will need to write 50K another 1.5 more times. Without future tripping, I’m focusing on this week only. Write when I can. Share with others. Move forward. I tried to do 50K last November. I didn’t write. But, it wasn’t a total failure as I needed to do more research, talk about my characters, solidify the ideas in my head. Now, I’m having FUN writing!
Furthermore, this 50K challenge is pushing me to make time and sit down and do the thing which is exciting, invigorating, and courageous.
Update: I completed the 50K in November and still going strong!
DO YOU HAVE COURAGEOUS CREATIVE TIPS YOU’VE PUT INTO PRACTICE? SHARE THEM IN THE COMMENTS.
Thank you for reading. Now, go create something fun today!
Oh and if you like the t-shirt. . .
