We all had the same idea. The sun was out and it was warm, the first time in weeks, if not months. Heading out to the back yard, I grabbed a Mark Nepo book, my daughter Chloe got a beach towel, and our dog followed us outside. Chloe lay her towel on the grass, I sat in the chair, and we both closed our eyes. The feel of ... continue reading
How to Create From Ease Rather Than Push
Life is short. Certainly too short to leave creative desires behind… or to do them from an unpleasant, inauthentic sense of push. I know – this is the balance I struggle with all the time. Yet I always find that moment when the struggle drops, freedom arises and my writing (or other project) flows. When I stumble, I ... continue reading
Creative Courage… and how to Strengthen It
It’s hard being a Creative. Yes, it’s also fulfilling, enlivening and essential. But some days it’s dang tough to put yourself out there… again. There’s the tight feeling in your chest when you present something and don’t know if people will be more mesmerized by the fly on the wall than your words. Or when you write a ... continue reading
Writing from the Body
There’s a common misperception about writing that is pervasive. I lived it for many years, and it thrives in popular culture: that we write from our minds. Turn on a TV channel and there it is – a writer at his desk, a look of puzzlement and consternation on his face (to convey all that hard thinking), and then he ... continue reading
Embracing Summer’s Pleasures
It was one of those weeks. Our air-conditioning had broken, and tempers were rising along with the heat. In addition to hot, fitful sleep, I had awakened to a looming deadline. Finally I headed outdoors to see if I could at least catch a breeze while I worked. As I was writing, I saw something in my peripheral vision. It ... continue reading