One of the biggest myths in creativity is writer’s block. There, I said it. I have never believed in some mysterious external force preventing someone from creating art of any kind. I don’t believe in any mysterious external force, especially one that causes or stops actions. But I do believe in the forces of nature. …
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Writing the Heart
I write a lot. My habit is to write something, anything, every day. Sometimes it’s good, I have day when I even like what I have written. Mostly I look back at my writing and think of things I should have or could have done differently. Sometimes writing is a duty, and I’m just finishing …
Creative Winter
If you’ve read my blog before, you know that I am of the firm opinion that creativity should be a part of everyday life. Creating things, to me, is life. I’m not here just to bust my ass as work, collect my paycheck, and spend the night dreading going back to work in the morning. …
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 …
Seeking The Bear
I’m reasonably sure that everyone who comes to Alaska would like to see a bear. I love watching them. Bears are amazing, majestic, and fascinating creatures. I’m grateful that I have seen them as often as I have, and even more grateful that I will see them many more times in the future. The problem …
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 …
Fear of Change
Like 97% of the rest of humanity, I am afraid of change. By the way, I fabricated the 97% figure – I bet the actual percentage of human beings who are afraid of change is higher. The funny thing about a fear of change is that it doesn’t matter if the change is something wanted …
Change or Stay Stuck
I’ve been thinking a lot about change. Maybe it’s because we’re not too far past the season of making New Year’s Resolutions. Hell, since we’ve just passed the Lunar New Year, it’s a do-over for those who have already dropped the resolutions they made when they hung up the 2017 calendar. You can probably tell …
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 …
Blogging My Way
Naming my website Salmon Apple Pie should tell everyone that this entire project is supposed to be fun. I don’t know a blogger who wouldn’t want to make some money from blogging, but I don’t see the point of doing a whole bunch of stuff that I detest just for the sake of monetizing my …