I haven’t read any Jack London books, but recently I read an essay of his, and now I want to read more. I had to share a few morsels of goodness with my fellow creatives–I know you’ll enjoy them. From Mr. London’s article “Getting into Print” was published in 1903 in The Editor. 110 years later and the… Continue reading Jack London to Creatives
Author: Andrew Zahn
I'm a son, husband, dad, business owner, actor and good sleeper/eater.
On this blog, I pave a highway for creative growth by providing food, water, and shelter for those wishing to live, work, and play with creative zest.
Vonnegut on Being Artistic
Two minutes of great inspiration from the late Vonnegut: “Go into the arts. I’m not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake.… Continue reading Vonnegut on Being Artistic
Day Job Dilemmas: Bathrooms, Sawdust, and Hovering Co-Workers
I was having lunch with my co-workers recently and we ended up talking about how shiny the floors are in our company’s bathrooms. So right now you’re thinking two things: 1) How did that topic come up and/or 2) I’ve noticed that too and it’s disturbing. You may even say to yourself (with a posh… Continue reading Day Job Dilemmas: Bathrooms, Sawdust, and Hovering Co-Workers
Degrading Other Creatives
She’s a natural. Everything he does seems to turn to gold. They have “the it” factor. Slippery slope. Attributing fellow artists’ accomplishments to anything but work ethic, desire to learn and dedication is a grave mistake for our own creativity. Yet, it’s easy to fall into this dishonoring thinking pattern. Would we think/speak this way… Continue reading Degrading Other Creatives
Childish vs Childlike
When doing creative projects… Childish: “no one ever helps me. Why doesn’t anyone want my dreams to come true.” Childlike: “this could be a fun adventure. I hope I make a bunch of mistakes that’ll help me learn and make me a better artist.” When you have to work a day job to fund your… Continue reading Childish vs Childlike
The Plate Spinning Artist
As creatives, we lead project-driven lives. We are the plate-spinners. The task-jugglers. The multiple-hat-wearers. Currently I’m… Writing a new book with two other friends. I’d say we’re about 63.2% done. (more on that in the months to come!) Launching two social media campaigns for my day job. Learning to be a father…we’re due in about six… Continue reading The Plate Spinning Artist
The Truth About Comedy
I get wildly inspired when I see a brilliant comic perform. Some of my favorites are Brian Regan, Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Gaffigan and Ellen Degeneres–they perform observational humor and do so without the spicy language of many of their colleagues and that takes great skill. When I watch them perform, I think of how brillant the writing is… Continue reading The Truth About Comedy
The Difference Between an Artist and a Non-Artist
Earlier this week I met with a successful businessman. He’s built a virtual empire and I’m sure he’s earned enough money to live comfortably for a very long time. The meeting was beneficial for both of us but it was interesting how I felt after meeting with him, and I found a few questions swirling… Continue reading The Difference Between an Artist and a Non-Artist
10 Brand Spanking New Idioms
As I was driving home from my day job (I’m a PR Manager for a home improvement company) I had an epiphany involving candy and the old idiom “the best things in life aren’t things.” Such sage advice was pouring forth from my muse that I had to do something with my newfound wisdom. What… Continue reading 10 Brand Spanking New Idioms
Living In Awe
Coffee. Laughter. The won’t-let-go-of-you hug. Favorite things. As I sit in the quiet of this morning, sharing my heart with a tiny, blinking cursor on a screen in a tiny, beautiful home before anyone else gets up, I am in awe. The rise and fall of my breath and warmth all around reminds me that I… Continue reading Living In Awe