Creativity Quest

I'm retiring the Creativity Quest podcast, but this is not goodbye! Join me for two exciting new podcasts - Tell Me Your Secrets: Off the Page with People Who Make Books, and Write Healthy, Write Whole. Thank you so much for listening. Now, go do something creative!

Last week I sat down with artist and author Karen Kinney to talk about some of the concepts in her book, The Reluctant Artist. We talked about what to do when you you're not feeling your creative mojo, permission to take breaks, and even the complicated questions that arise at the intersection of art and commerce. You can find out more about Karen at her website, www.karenkinney.com

New York Time bestselling author Virginia Kantra has had a lifelong love affair with the novel Little Women. Her novel Meg and Jo is a revisioning of these beloved characters in a modern world. Listen in as we talk about creative courage and the ways real life fueled and informed her work.

Author Susan Spann had a dream. A big one. And she went for it, even in the face of incredible odds. Listen in for a totally inspiring story about one woman's quest to conquer her fears and pursue her creative dreams. Watch for Ghost of the Bamboo Road, her newest Hiro Hattori novel, releasing on November 12, and Climb: Leaving Safe and Finding Strength on a Hundred Summits in Japan releasing on January 28, 2020. Learn more about Susan at www.susanspann.com

Donald M Rattner is not your average architect. He's spent years studying the impact of the physical environment on creativity and innovation and has just released a beautiful book on the subject called My Creative Space: How to Design Your Home to Stimulate Ideas and Spark Innovation. This fascinating interview is crammed full of tips on easy and inexpensive ways to leverage your creative process by making changes to your environment.

Suzanne Kelman is a powerhouse. She is a playwright, actress, and author who typically has three book projects on the go at a time, in addition to all of the other things. Her most recent novel, A View Across the Rooftops, releases October 25. And is Suzanne frenetically preparing and frantically writing? Nope. She's taking a week off. Listen in to find out how important taking a break can be.

Host Kerry Schafer and author Dacia Arnold discuss creative mindset and how to bring it not only to writing but also to marketing. Find out more about Dacia's work at her website, www.daciamarnold.com.

Host Kerry Schafer gets vulnerable in this episode - talking about the way her own personal demons kick in around success and reading an inspiring and motivational letter from author friend Maddy Dawson.

Kerry Schafer interviews Michele Northwood about the events that led her to write her fascinating memoir, Fishnets in the Far East - A Dancer's Diary in Korea. In addition to being part of a cabaret dance routine in the middle east, Michele has said yes to working in the circus as a contortionist, trapeze and high wire artist, and more. Listen in to find out why Michele's favorite motto is "Say Yes to Everything" and how this philosophy can benefit your own creative life.

Patrick Crerand entertains fabulous and fantastic possibilities in his short stories, the answers to questions like: "What if an airline pilot decided the sky is not the limit? What if a teenager sent his car to school in his place? What if the drawings on the Pepperidge Farm box were alive?" Join us for a conversation about giving yourself permission to explore ideas and for dancing with the inner critic.

What the heck is a questionologist? Why should you be one? What does a four year old girl possess that you need to have? How can asking the right questions empower our creative lives and improve our relationships? What questions should you be asking? Listen in for the answers, and for more questions! Then check out Warren Berger’s new and fascinating release – The Book of Beautiful Questions

Author Matt Buchman's solution to a mid-life crisis was obvious (to him!) - a bicycle trip around the world! During that trip he started his first book, and he has been writing full throttle ever since. Listen in on our inspiring conversation about writing and living life to the ultimate creative extent. You can find out more about Matt and his books at www.mlbuchman.com. For more about Kerry Schafer's writer mindset coaching or books, go to www.writeattheedge.com

Author duo Heather Webb & Hazel Gaynor discuss writer collaboration - they call each other "book wives" - and their fascinating research into the parfumeries of Grasse, France, that resulted in the lush, sensory detail that pervades their brilliant new release Meet Me in Monaco.

Kerry Schafer interviews poet Deborah Tobola about her lovely memoir, Hummingbird in Underworld, and her amazing and transformative experiences bringing creativity into men's prisons. Deborah is an amazing woman--a beautiful and creative soul who is not only an award winning poet, but has taught creativity in men's prisons and also founded the Poetic Justice Project, which engages formerly incarcerated people in the creation of original theatre that examines crime, punishment and redemption. Her beautiful & fascinating memoir, Hummingbird in Underworld, is available here at Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LWj8PY And check out the Poetic Justice Project (and maybe donate to this awesome cause) here: https://www.poeticjusticeproject.org/

Christina Delay joins host Kerry Schafer to talk about the Greek mythology underlying her upcoming release, Song of Destiny, under pen name Kris Faryn. PLUS how Christina was inspired to create Cruising Writers and all about this year's November cruise to the Bahamas on award winning ship Allure of the Seas.

A fun conversation with author Marcella Burnard, all about the series she is bringing back to life and the art of evolving to overcome our own excuses. Marcella reminded me of one of the Kaizen-Muse philosophies I'd forgotten for a minute - we GET to write, and it can be our happy place.

Everything you ever wanted to know (and probably some things you didn't) about how the creative collaboration works with the infamous & awesome horror duo Tamara Thorne & Alistair Cross.

Ever wonder about the creative genius that adds voice to books to create the audio book version? Join me and talented voice artist and actress Teri Clark Linden for a lively discussion about the creative life from a slightly different perspective!

Author Barbara Claypole White joins Creativity Quest to talk about her adventurous choice to follow the idea the just showed up, rather than the book she was supposed to be writing. So much good stuff about the creative process and following our bliss!

An exuberantly creative conversation with author Kiersten Hall. It begins with tinfoil hats and a pet octopus, then travels through how to feed your creativity when you're a mother, where creative ideas come from, and more.

I absolutely loved my conversation with Sloane Tanen and I also loved this book, which is funny, heartfelt, and insightful, much like its author. We talked about the creative spark behind the book, the creative blocks of the characters in the book, and then strayed down a few delightful rabbit holes. You can find THERE'S A WORD FOR THAT here: https://amzn.to/2V4E0bK Enjoy!