Using the Pain

Negative experiences can be found in any creative's toolbox. But to use these tools effectively, they need to be hewed and honed through a time of personal reflection. The other day I found out my little sister had died. I didn't know her very well - she was my half-sister and lived all the way … Continue reading Using the Pain →

Creation

Being creative is like playing God. You create something from nothing. You bring into being something from the ethos that didn't exist before your mind and hands touched the materials of creation and made it so. But creation doesn't happen in a vacuum. Things come into being because of all the influences you've faced in … Continue reading Creation →

Hope

It's difficult to put ourselves into our work. Lay ourselves bare. To bleed for our pages. Peeling back the cracked and crusted over scabs and scars to reveal the putrid gaping wounds underneath. Dipping our pen into the blood and using it as ink on the page. It's difficult to relive those moments of pain. … Continue reading Hope →

Daily Plans

I chose to do things differently today. I chose to dedicate more time to work on my short story in the morning and to 'blow off' this blog until later in the night. Essentially using this blog as a recap of the day. Rhythm The most important take away of the day is that I'm … Continue reading Daily Plans →

Now What?

You've finished your huge project, the one that's kept you up at night for months. It's all done, wrapped up and delivered. And in the echos of the free time you suddenly now have the question reverberates "Now what?" All the adrenaline is gone and with it the excitement that was coursing through your veins … Continue reading Now What? →

Mood Shift

We all have emotional good days and bad. It's part of being human. Sometimes we need that for our creative work, sometimes that actually works against us. Permeate Your mood will permeate whatever you're working on. And because our moods can shift from day to day, we have to be careful. If you're frustrated, it … Continue reading Mood Shift →

Plan G

I've had a rough day. I'm working on a freelance motion graphics project and I'm getting a 'glitch'. The glitch is a white rectangle that appears across the bottom of a frame, and I don't know how to get rid of it. Frustration We've all been there. Where you're working on something, and there's a … Continue reading Plan G →

“Do The Work”

I recently finished reading 'Do The Work' by Steven Pressfield. The book is, in a nutshell, encouragement to see your way through a project. To take on an enterprise and see it through to the bitter end. Pressfield uses the example of a novel because he's an author, but it could apply to any kind … Continue reading “Do The Work” →

Little Gifts

When I write, I usually have a good time with it. My keyboard goes klickety-klack and the words come out ok. Usually. But not all the time. Sometimes the words don't come at all and I get 'knotted up.' I'm worked up so tight that there's no other way out than to let it go. … Continue reading Little Gifts →

Where’s The Story

I recently finished reading Stephen King's book 'On Writing'. It's an amazing book, I recommend it highly. In the book, Mr. King reiterates frequently the importance of telling the story. The importance of the story itself. The problem I have right now with some of my short stories is that I can't seem to find … Continue reading Where’s The Story →