One habit that I am trying to embrace is planning my photo shoots. It’s nice to have some idea of where I’m going and at what time, but even that doesn’t always work out. Shit still happens, and sometimes I get sidetracked by an unplanned hike – I can’t be the only person that happens …
create
Getting Organized
When most people think about organization, they think of the kind that requires tossing old gnarly-looking underwear or scraping dust bunnies and cat hair out from under the couch. And that kind of organization is important (even if you think those tighty whities still have plenty of wear in them). Getting organized actually creates more …
The Comfort Zone
“The walls of your comfort zone are lovingly decorated with your lifelong collection of favorite excuses.” -Jen Sincero, from You Are A Badass At Making Money Ahh, my comfort zone. It’s comfortable to lounge on the couch or bed with my cat at my side and my beverage of choice at hand and read. …
Embracing Discomfort
Sometimes a creative life means existing in a state of discomfort. Discomfort comes from those times of learning something new, or persisting when a project has become difficult/boring/otherwise annoying, and, in my case, taking the painful but necessary step of no longer drinking coffee. Pressure to be productive also causes discomfort. I’ve made certain photos …
Create Just To Create
One thing I have run into repeatedly over my years of creativity: people asking when I’m going to DO SOMETHING with my work. It doesn’t matter if it’s been crochet, painting, writing, photography or sewing. The world has this weird idea that creative pursuits have no value unless you’re making money from them. The problem …
Almost Here: NaNoWriMo 2016
November 2016 is my fourth year participating in National Novel Writing Month, more commonly known as NaNoWriMo. If you’re unfamiliar with it, the goal is to write a novel of 50,000 words in the 30 days of November. I completed 2013 and 2014 NaNoWriMos successfully, but last year’s attempt was abruptly ended on November 7. Before my …
Working At Art
Making art can be a challenge. Tonight it would have been easy to stay comfortably seated at my kitchen table and eating my dinner. Making art meant having to get up, grab my cameras, put on shoes and a jacket and drive around town to the best place to see the sunset. Dinner will wait. …
When People Don’t Understand
Not long ago I wrote a blog post about something that both made me sad and forced me to think about my personal values (read it here: The Person I Don’t Want To Be). I posted a link to this in one of the writers groups that I belong to because I am interested in …
What Do I Mean When I Say “Create”?
I’m always urging someone to create something. Most people think I mean they should write, and in a few cases, that’s true. I know people who give great advice, and, in my opinion, should definitely be blogging and helping others. I also know people who love to take photos but don’t take very many because …
The Scariest Thing in the World
During a recent bout of procrastination, I realized that blank pages are the scariest thing in the world. Not because writing is difficult (though it often is), or even because what I consider my best writing is painful for me to produce, let alone for me to show to others. Blank pages are scary because they …