I love to write! I’ve always loved to write! I want to write a novel…….someday! I’d love to have my novel published someday……
So you’d think that with such a strong desire to write, I’d at least keep up with blogging on a more regular basis BUT…….(insert excuse(s) here).
Writing is hard! I’m in awe of every writer who has not only finished a creative, thought provoking composition but just plain started on a journey of combining words with intention to begin with. Getting started is the hardest part! No, finishing is the hardest part. Or, maybe believing in yourself is the hardest part.
Back in the day, when I was working in the corporate arena, I remember sitting in one (of many) business meetings. (Most of them a lot of talk with no action; just going through the corporate motions….I digress). Anyway, at the start of one of these meetings, when they go around the table and have you introduce yourself and then say one thing……like; what college did you attend (me: none); your favorite singer (me: Barbra Streisand: at that particular moment, that got some eyebrow raises); one thing you want to accomplish in your life (me: write a book) to which the head of the meeting looked at me and said, “well, doesn’t everyone want to write a book?”
I’d never thought about it…….the creative spirit of others. And, everyone has a unique, creative spirit although some may not have tapped into their’s……yet.
I still want to write. And, I do from time to time; I have a pen pal (I met her through etsy when I bought some of her beautiful handmade pottery, and we made a connection that created a bond. We’ve been pen pals for over a year now). I write/make a lot of my own birthday, Christmas, note cards (snail mail). I write when I list an item in one of my etsy shops. From time to time I drop quick posts on my Facebook page and/or Instagram account. And, then, not so often I do write here on my blog. Not too often do I blog because……writing is hard!…….because I “think too much” (according to my husband).
But, I still “want to write” a novel.
I have some story lines in my head (one in particular is on continuous “feed” in my thoughts). From time to time something will spark an idea for another story line…….something I’ve seen; something someone says; someone I meet…….there is a plethora of story fodder/fuel out there (and in me) just waiting to come to life.
But……..I’m still on the thought page, kind of like those old corporate meetings I used to attend, all “thought” no action. Oh, I have books on how to write (developing plots; developing characters; purple prose; finding editors/agents/publishers)…..did I mention that I love to read, too! But, the “research”…….could it be just another form of procrastination!
So, all these ideas swimming around in my head with plots and characters and dialog why don’t I just sit down and write! Because writing is hard. Besides the story line and characters and suspense and romance there’s those nagging voices in the background saying things like….that’s not the right word, does the comma go before or after and, when should I start a new paragraph, people will criticize, no one will like it,…….the excuse list is endless.
My pen pal friend once told me that you can be a writer without being an author. Good advice. If I want to write, I should just write; not worry about who might read it, who might edit it, where my comma’s should be, where a paragraph should end or begin, what a critic might say, will someone like it. In the end all that matters is writing something from my creative soul, my heart, my spirit.
A while back I stumbled across some great advice. Something I’d never thought about before. It resonated deeply and inspired me so I copied, pasted, and hung these words where I would see them often. (I’ll add it to the end of this post just in case this is too small to read here). Well written because someone had something to say and so they did, in their own unique way, their own style! It’s the meaning, the intention, the spirit, the soul put forth into any creative endeavor that is the heart of the creation that adds the value and character to the piece; whatever it may be.
Everyone has to start somewhere So I say to myself just write; because that’s one of the creative outlets my creative spirit keeps prodding me towards.
And still I sit, pen in hand, blank page.
Over the years my creative spirit has taken me down many beautiful paths. I’ve learned to garden, create jewelry, sun catchers and dream catchers, paint, move furniture around to create our unique living areas, electroforming copper elements, etching on copper and glass, weaving dream catchers. I’ve tried my hand at acrylic flow painting, acrylic painting on canvas, soap making, candle making, lotion bars. I dry herbs and forage, create herbal tea blends, take long walks along creek beds looking for and collecting cool rocks and treasures from nature………I have an endless list of creative catalysts.
So where does your creative spirit take you? No matter how big or small your creative dreams may be I hope you take the time to go there; start your creative journey if you haven’t already. Realizing and embracing your creative spirit is the first step; talking about it, reading/learning about it, visualizing it may be your second step……BUT the greatest step of all is doing it! No matter how big or small; no matter how talented you may or may not “think” you are (you are talented, never doubt that), no matter what obstacles you may have or perceive to have that may be keeping you from starting, don’t let a potential negative keep you from creating positive vibes with your creative spirit! Share yourself! You are a beautiful, creative spirit!
Here are a few of my creative ventures over the years; some complete, some in the works, some good, some ehhhhh, all inspired by creative spirits, in me and around me!
Some of my ever changing landscaping projects. Each year it’s different. Working outside; it’s uplifting, meditative, healthy, mindful, invigorating, if not a little messy.
Shadow Art! I love when I’m stopped in my tracks by a beautiful shadow creation. A combination of nature, things, and timing!
Creating with herbs, flowers, and plants foraged from my gardens and the woods and fields around our home. (Don’t be a poacher; get permission before heading out to forage on property you don’t own…..)
Soap, lotion and candle making. Creating unique scents and textures. Utilizing and sharing handmade items brings a deep level of satisfaction to my creative spirit!
Here’s my father-in-law and his creative project. In his 80’s and restoring this old Farmall Tractor!
A chalkboard I created from an old dresser mirror frame we found in the attic.
Paint and wine night I attended with one of my daughters-in-law a few years back. Hoping to host a paint night someday with friends and family!
Little stories and rhymes I’ve written over the years for my grandsons. Self published for each of them! Well look at that, I am published!!!
Always creating good eats! Simple or complex……a little love is always mixed in. Creative dinner parties are fun! Have fun hosting a pop up potluck party….spontaneous events are my most cherished events and extremely creative……on the fly!
Creative canning recipes……food from the garden fuel for the body and soul!
Creative Shares! Love creative gifts from friends and family throughout the years! Unique! Near and dear to my heart!
Egads! This beautiful piece of handmade pottery received some rough handling. Couldn’t part with it so I’m trying my hand at a kind of kintsugi. Still working on it……along with my patience which is one attribute that pairs well with a kintsugi process…..I have some ideas (if not patience) for finishing this!!!!
Music for my creative spirit. Having my own piano and learning to play have been a long time desire of mine. I now have the piano ($15 at an auction…..score!) Playing and practicing…….in due time.
Found this old set of wooden stairs in an old barn. It called out to me. Set it up on a hillside next to our home. People ask, “where does that stairway go?” ……. To wherever your imagination takes you!
Find your inspirations and let your creative spirit soar!
Someday I’ll finish that novel I want to write. In the meantime I’ll continue to enjoy my creative ventures and hope you do, too!
The joy is in the creative journey and the destination!
Peace Love and Joy
Judy
‘Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.’ {Ira Glass}