Episode Notes:

Hang on to your bagpipes because in this episode we talk about storytelling, the forms it can take, how to indulge in your inner minstrel or gleeman or busker by dragging the story(ies) inside you out into the world, bit by bit, or, as Anne Lamott would say, bird by bird. We reference a few of our favorite storytellers and in the process mention Sir Rod Stewart two times too many. If that has scared you away, you are in for a laughter filled treat recorded after a long day of day jobbery.

Links:

1. 7 Lessons Learned About Writing From Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott, post at tunerstories.com.
2. Every Picture Tells A Story, Rod Stewart
3. What's He Building, Tom Waits
4. The Greek Chorus Explained, video from the Millennial Classicist

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Episode Notes:

Sometimes too many choices can paralyze us in life and in our creative practice. In these instances it can be useful to set some limits whether it be in your choice of media, your time, your palette or your tools. And those limitations over which you have no control? You may just want to embrace the hell out of them and see what happens.

Links:

1. Phil Hansen, Embrace The Shake TED Talk
2. Tim Ferriss (4 Hour Work Week) Interviews Writer and Creative Legend Margaret Atwood
3. The Psychology of Limitations: How and Why Constraints Can Make You More Creative, Buffer Blog

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Episode Notes:

Join us on a meandering, um, Journey (you'll see) of exploration on those features of our modern world that chip away at our creative practice. We don't have any tips about how to beat Father Time, but we do offer up some tips on how to make the most of our time while we're here. From the demands of the modern work life and the silicon valley inspired side hustle/gig economy to the way we choose to fill our days, you're sure to find a treasure amid the conversation hoard we lay before you.

Links:

1. 4000 Weeks, Time Management For Mortals by Oliver Burkeman. Sincerest apologies to Oliver Burkeman, who I referred to as Oliver Burke throughout the episode. The fact remains, his book is a must-read.
2. A Soft Manifesto. Artist and writer Cortney Cassidy on the anti-capitalist values that helped her launch Mail Blog, and a set of principles you can apply to your own values-driven art making.
3. Also, apologies to Journey, the song we were groping for was Faithfully.

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Episode Notes:

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine dominating headlines, we dig into creating while the world seems to be crumbling around us. What's the point? Why bother? Turns out there are many reasons to keep the faith and keep creating. Creativity in uncertain times may seem frivolous or a guilty pleasure but it's fundamental to our humanity and holds great value both on the personal level and in our communities.

Links:

1. Why Make Art When The World Is Burning? Blog post by Brad Blackman
2. We Learn Nothing, by Tim Kreider

Episode Notes:

As Ginger prepares for her first day of her new job at the library, we talk about maintaining your creativity while holding down a day job. It might seem daunting at first, but there are ways, dude, and we want you to know. Also, If you have a full-time job and you just don't think you have the time for a creative practice, guess again. You just have to ask yourself one crucial question. And lastly, if you're on the fence about listening to this episode, let us entice you with the mysteries of oyster metaphors. It'll be fun!

Links:

1. How To Balance Full-Time Work With Creative Projects, by Jeffrey Silverstein at The Creative Independent
2. Practical advice on managing a creative practice while working over at Medium: How to Pursue Your Creative Calling While Working Full-time by Bernadette Cay
3. On Writing (with a Day Job), by Richard Mirabella at Catapult

Episode Notes:

Sometimes the answer to a question about, or a solution to, a creative conundrum lies within ourselves, we just need a way to get it out. Enter journaling. In this episode we talk a bit about our very different approaches to journaling and others that are out there. We also talk about the benefits of journaling ranging from the mental to the spiritual to the physical. We also take a side trip to the land of rainbow pens and Mork & Mindy t-shirts. Come aboard! We're expecting you.

Links: Daybook: The Journal of An Artist, Anne Truitt To Spring From The Hand, YouTube channel about Paulus Berensohn Leuchtterm Notebook, Composition - B5 Uni Ball Vision Pen .7mm

Episode Notes:

Sometimes you're just itching to share your work with someone. Anyone. But is that always the best indicator that it's time to put your latest creative project out there? In this episode we identify a few potential indicators that can help you know when the time is right. And perhaps more importantly, we examine some of the reasons why you'd want to share, including ego, feedback and spreading joy. Knowing what you want to get out of sharing (and what's in it for the other guy!) is an immense help in knowing what to expect when you do share. Pull up a chair and prop up your feet and enjoy!

Links:

1. You Can't Create Under Surveillance, post by Austin Kleon that compliments this episode very well
2. NYT Review of The Selected Works of Audre Lorde
3. To Spring From The Hand, The life and work of Paulus Berensohn, documentary
4. Beyond the Visible: Hilma Af Klint, documentary trailer
5. Online Writing Workshop for Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, website

Episode Notes:

It seems as if we're always striving to finish our creative work, but sometimes it seems as if the finish line moves or disappears altogether. Or maybe we never knew where it was to begin with. So how are you supposed to know when you're really finished? We throw out some sign posts that help us know when we're finished, but also when we've still got work to do or when we've destroyed our latest project by working the life out of it. Come for the discussion about markers that can help you gauge where you are in the lifecycle of your project, stay for the baking metaphors.

Links:

1. How Do You Know When You're Done Writing? - Author News, Penguin Random House
2. How To Know When Your Art Is Done - Nicholas Wilton
3. The Three Times Your Novel Is Finished - Lit Reactor
4. Recommended: A Poetry Handbook by Mary Oliver - Poetry Tea Time

Episode Notes:

Sometimes we suffer from inertia in our creative practice. Whether just starting out on our creative journey or working at it for years, there are times when it all seems pointless or overwhelming or just blah. In those moments we find it hardest to take that first step, to put brush to canvas or fingers to fretboards. It's something we encounter regularly, so we need to figure out ways that make getting started less daunting or even exciting.

Links: Austin Kleon, Keep Going Robert D. Richardson, First We Read, Then We Write: Emerson on the Creative Process Steven Pressfield, The War of Art CreativeLive, "The Single Biggest Thing You Can Do For Your Career: Show Up"

Episode Notes:

The way forward is not always clear, despite our best intentions, our diligent planning. What do we do when we find ourselves lost in the process with no map to guide us home? In this episode we explore the benefits of leaning into the uncertainty of the creative process (hint: it's where much of the magic happens) and some possible ways to find your way to the end. Or at least an end. Join us on a pleasure barge through the mist of process and have a few laughs along the way.

Links:

1. Accidental Creative podcast with guest Michael Bungay Stanier, author of _How To Begin_
2. Stuart Shils, artist, writer, teacher
3. Amy Clay reviews Pema Chodron's _Comfortable With Uncertainty_
4. A writer's review of Shaun McNiff's _Trust the Process_
5. The Creative Independent interviews with Mindy Kahn, who offers a lovely perspective on the creative process

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