Molasses thick clouds stretch the sky like pulled cords of salt water taffy. I stop. Is the sky expanding before me? My chest sinks into the gooey love place, embracing its smallness. Everything I need, I already have. Add your own picture poem in the comments based on this picture.
Category: creative exercises
The Shortest Short Stories: Tiny Stories
Whilst traveling, my wife and I ran into a friend who had this book: It’s a fascinating (tiny) book of idea generators, saucy illustrations and super teeny-tiny stories. Coupled with this post of writing prompts I read yesterday, I thought I’d try my hand at a few tiny stories as well. Please leave your own… Continue reading The Shortest Short Stories: Tiny Stories
What’s on Your Milestone
How do we know we’re moving if we don’t have milestones? Every now and then, it’s fun (or challenging) to see where our creative life is going. Ten minutes of reflection, strolling through some photos or just a ‘year in review’ with my wife will often reveal where we’re at and where we want to… Continue reading What’s on Your Milestone
The Secret to Connecting with Your Creative Community
[box options]Side note… Today I’m guest posting on Michael Perkins’ amazingly creative blog The Handwritten. You’ll want to check out Michael’s take on simple, honest blogging. It’s like eating decadent desert without the calories. [/box] There’s a secret to joining a creative community. “I don’t like the word ‘community.’ Sounds needy and I’ve had enough… Continue reading The Secret to Connecting with Your Creative Community
Finding Your ‘Special Purpose’
What’s your ‘special purpose?’ Purpose for … your job, your family, your creative projects, your blog, your entrepreneurial endeavors. Why do you do what you do? A 19 second scene from The Jerk with Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters:
The 10 Minute Secret to Creative Achievement (Hint: Scrivener)
It’s so simple. Some of us don’t admit we need it. We’ve got it under control right? Nope. I’m taking my own advice. Instead of talking about this ten minute secret, I’ll just do it. Here goes…
Waiting to be Creative: Get a New Mantra
“I just don’t feel inspired right now.” “Not really feeling creative.” “I can’t work under a deadline. My creativity doesn’t happen like that.” Bull@#$*. For real. I don’t like to use strong language, yet sometimes you gotta call it what it is. Especially if it’s ruining your artist and your life.
Comfort Zone Creativity: Possible or Impossible?
Comfort zone. Creative zone. Are there magic recipes to create masterpieces? I saw this simple drawing here and was given permission to repost it. [Update: the original post is here along with a ton of other gems! Check it out!] Man I love this concept… and hate it. Can we create in a comfort zone? Aren’t… Continue reading Comfort Zone Creativity: Possible or Impossible?
Speaking Fake English and Other Fake Languages
Have you ever tried to mimic a foreign language? As in: you don’t speak French, Chinese, or German but you attempt to sound like you’re speaking the language? I’m guilty. I’ve done this on several occasions. This past weekend I made a baby giggle by performing my faux Chinese for him. He loved it. Best thing he’d… Continue reading Speaking Fake English and Other Fake Languages
24 Hour Plays: Lessons in Fear, Control, and Joy
Why dive into a creative process involving fear, anxiety, the unknown, the uncontrollable? The payoff is incredible. This past weekend, my wife and I participated in an event called 24 Hour Plays. Here’s the rundown of the events that transpire in a mere day at one of these creative explosions: It’s an exercise in organized insanity in… Continue reading 24 Hour Plays: Lessons in Fear, Control, and Joy