Dear Creativity...Let's Play

Meet Margaret McNellisMargaret McNellis, MFA, M.A. is the author of the Heroes of Sherwood series, an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach who specializes in adding a dash of magick to her writers' journeys, and a solo eclectic intuitive witch with a tarot/oracle deck addiction. She has a podcast–The Magickal Bard–which discusses the intersection of magick and writing. Margaret's flagship course, Your Next Book, helps writers plan or fix their stories with the tarot.Connect with Margaret McNellisMargaret on InstagramMargaret on TwitterMargaret's WebsiteLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on FacebookConnect on LinkedIn.Connect on Instagram.

In this episode, we discussed:3-card spread – where the protagonist is now, what's an action they can take, what's the outcome going to be1-card spread for a character – what is the character striving for? or what does this character fear?Margaret's “Your Next Book” 9-card spread for planning out a novel – she mentions ths spread throughout the episode and shares the exact spread toward the end of the episode. It's super helpful!What a spread is exactly and how to draw a card for themLinksHolistic Tarot: An Integrative Approach to Using Tarot for Personal Growth by Benebell Wen – the book that Margaret recommends if you're just getting started with tarot cards.Meet Margaret McNellisMargaret McNellis, MFA, M.A. is the author of the Heroes of Sherwood series, an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach who specializes in adding a dash of magick to her writers' journeys, and a solo eclectic intuitive witch with a tarot/oracle deck addiction. She has a podcast–The Magickal Bard–which discusses the intersection of magick and writing. Margaret's flagship course, Your Next Book, helps writers plan or fix their stories with the tarot.Connect with Margaret McNellisMargaret on InstagramMargaret on TwitterMargaret's WebsiteLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on FacebookConnect on LinkedIn.Connect on Instagram.

This episode is a recording of a live session that Uma did in the Let's Write the Book Club, so I had a list of questions from members as well as one member who joined us live and asked about writing challenging emotions.In this episode, we discussed:A brief discussion about language and writing your memoir in your first or second languageWhat exactly is memoir and how it's different from other genresHow memoir is an importatn part of making meaning of our story and our lives and the importance of sharing thatHow we have a contract with our reader to tell our most truest and honest storyThe wisdom in the woundSome thoughts on writing your story as a memoir or as a novelUma's story of getting a contract with Hay House (which she attributes all to her mother after her mother passed)The value of getting a writing community and group to improve as a writer and increase your confidence especially when you're first startingA great exercise to connect with the stories that want to be in your memoir using your body and memoriesA brief discussion about showing vs. Telling to capture the emotion in your memoirLinksThe first episode Uma did on the Dear Creativity PodcastThe Let's Write Book Club – a monthly membership for writers who are ready to writeUma's Books Understanding Death: 10 Ways to Inner Peace for the GrievingLosing Amma, Finding HomeLessons From GraceMeet Uma GirishUma Girish is an award-winning author. Both of her most recent books were finalists for the Chicago Book Awards. After reading her Losing Amma, it is clear why. Her memoirs are beautifully written, both heartwrenching and uplifting at the same time – no easy feat to achieve for a writer. She is currently working on a memoir on her marriage.Connect with Uma GirishUma on InstagramUma's WebsiteLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on FacebookConnect on LinkedIn.Connect on Instagram.

In this episode, we discussed:How she went from self-publishing to landing an agent and a deal with Harper CollinsHow writing in the morning before her day job is the best way she's found to get her books written while working full-timeWhy she thinks reading (and reading a lot) in her genre gives her inspiration, especially when she's feeling blockedWhy a solid reversal in the middle of your book is key to avoiding a saggy (boring) middleThe power of a pause of a few weeks to let your brain work on your book when you've written yourself into a cornerHow dreams can get us some of our best ideasWhy she writes in and prefers writing in 1st person POVSandy's BooksThe Holiday Romance Series:One Summer in Santorini (#1)That Night in Paris (#2)A Sunset in Sidney (#3)A Sunrise Over Bali (#4)NEW RELEASE: A Wedding in Tuscany (#5)Hilarious Stand-Alone NovelThe Dating GameSome of Sandy's Favorite NovelsThe Thorn Birds, Colleen McCulloughTo Kill a Mockingbird, Harper LeeGo Set a Watchman, Harper LeeShakespeare, esp. the original rom com, Much Ado About NothingThe French Photographer, Natasha LesterI Heart New York – the first rom-com she read that made her believe that she too could write this genreMeet Sandy BarkerSandy is a writer, traveler, and hopeful romantic with a lengthy bucket list, and many of her travel adventures have found homes in her novels. She lives in Melbourne Australia with her partner, Ben, who she met while traveling in Greece. Their real-life love story inspired Sandy's debut novel One Summer in Santorini, the first in the Holiday Romance series with One More Chapter, an imprint of HarperCollins. She has now published 4 books and she's done all of this while working full-time at Pearson as an adult learning specialist.Connect with Sandy BarkerSandy on InstagramSandy on TwitterSandy's WebsiteLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on FacebookConnect on LinkedIn.Connect on Instagram.

In this episode, we discussed:Different types of editingHow editing is not something you just hand off - it's actually quite collaborativeWhat to look for in an editorHow to find an editorWhat she's learned through the process of working with her own editorKris' BookDestination Author by Kris EmeryMeet Kris EmeryKris Emery is a non-fiction book editor for entrepreneurs, writers and speakers who want to extend beyond their current business services and reach more people with their message. With over a decade of working with words and a masters degree in linguistics, Kris guides first-time authors to write a valuable book that they can feel excited to put out in the world.Connect with Kris EmeryKris on InstagramKris on FacebookKris's WebsiteLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on FacebookConnect on LinkedIn.Connect on Instagram.

Here's what I discuss in this solo episode:The steps to becoming a writerHow your inner critic will pipe up and what they might say at each phase of your embracing and acting on your new identity as a writerLinks to episodes I reference:Episode 34: Embracing Your Inner CriticEpisode 77: Are your ideas original enough?Episode 73: Finding Your Writing ProcessEpisode 44: Benefits of FeedbackLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let's Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world. You'll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.Connect on Instagram.

Amy has not only become an amazing writer, but she's pretty darn funny! She's looking at writing a romantic comedy next. I want to thank Amy for taking the time to share her thoughts and wisdom on writing. I really enjoyed this interview. In this episode, we discussed:How she learned to embrace and reboot her imagination as an adult and become a writerA great trick to deal with your inner critic, or “the gremlins” which is what Amy calls those negative voicesHow she uses power hours with her writing group to support her writing practiceHow her writing group provides accountability for her to show up to her writing (if you need this type of support, check out the Let's Write Club).The value of the collaborative support of a good developmental editor, writing group, or book coachHow she bases her victims on some real life not so nice people to add the emotional drive to those scenes and charactersThe value in writing what you know, especially if it's a specialized field like she writes about organ transplant, because the author knows the details in an authentic and accurate wayUsing the concept of “pleasure bundling” to hold yourself accountable to your writing practiceWhat's next in her writing career!Amy's BooksCut  by Amy S. PeeleMatch by Amy S. PeeleMeet Amy S. PeeleAmy S. Peele RN, is the award-winning, best-selling author of Cut and Match, medical mysteries with a mission and a side of humor. Before becoming a writer Amy enjoyed a fascinating 35-year career in the organ transplant field which provides an authentic backdrop to her books. She learned early on in her medical career that humor was an important survival skill and studied improvisation at the world premier school, Second City, in Chicago.Connect with Amy S. PeeleAmy on InstagramAmy on TwitterAmy's WebsiteLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on FacebookConnect on LinkedIn.Connect on Instagram.

Here's what I discuss in this solo episode:The value of looking back at the past year (before we dive into setting goals for the new year)How to look backMy big lesson on lowering expectations and how that's shifted my own writing practiceWhy lowering your expectations for yourself might be the key to actually making more progress on your bookA fascinating study that looks at the relationship between happiness and our expectations for ourselvesYou can follow Janet Conner here and/or check out her book The Lotus and the Lily. Her intensive is here.Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let's Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world. You'll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.Connect on Instagram.

In this episode, we discussed:The value of mindfulness to help writers find calm and reach their creativityA few specific visualizations or prompts to get startedHow writing mindfully can help you open up to ideas and your imaginationHow these practices can help us become better writersLissa's BooksMilk Fever by Lissa M. CowanMeet Lissa M. CowanLissa M. Cowan's signature 21 Day Writing Meditation Course has close to 3,000 students and has been rated a top Art & Writing Course on DailyOM, a popular website that offers holistic living for the mind, body, and spirit. ​She is the author of MilkFever, a historical fiction novel (Demeter Press), co-translator from French of a book of poetic prose titled Words That Walk in the Night (Vehicule Press), and other fiction and non-fiction. Visit her author website for more about her writing, and the writing life. She holds an MA in English Studies from the Université de Montréal and a post-graduate diploma in writing from the University of Victoria, B.C. Along with teaching Write to Calm courses online, she also teaches in the writing program at Calgary University. She lives in the Gatineau Hills (Quebec, Canada) in a house high in the trees with her cat Toiyabe, a laid-back Nevadan.Connect with Lissa M. CowanLissa on InstagramLissa's Website – write to calmLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on FacebookConnect on LinkedIn.Connect on Instagram.

In this episode, we discussed:Writing to market vs. writing what you feel inspired to writeFreewriting to really get to know your charactersTips on how to make character's voices distinct in dialogueDifferentiating characters based on the impact they have on other characters in a storyElizabeth's Books and Books we discussed in the episodeGeorgie Girl by Elizabeth Sumner WaflerIn Robin's Nest by Elizabeth Sumner WaflerWriting the Breakout Novel by Donald MaassBefore and After the Book Deal by Courtney MaumMeet Elizabeth Sumner WaflerElizabeth is a writer and the author of four novels. She is an active volunteer with the Women's Fiction Writers Association and loves working with developing writers through her side hustle Four Eyes Editorial. Elizabeth, her husband and cairn terrier Mirabelle recently moved from Charlottesville Virginia to the booming southern hotspot--and the place of her birth--Greenville, South Carolina, which Conde Nast ranked the sixth best small city in America. She never misses a farmer's market or chance to explore art, music, and foodie destinations, or hiking opportunities in the Blue Ridge Mountains of the upstate.Connect with Elizabeth Sumner WaflerElizabeth on InstagramElizabeth on TwitterElizabeth's Website Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on FacebookConnect on LinkedIn.Connect on Instagram.

Here's what I discuss in this solo episode:The 4 C's & Q: character, conflict, context, care, and question that MUST be included in your first sceneWhat each of the 4 C's areExamples from three well-known popular books: Pride and Prejudice, Divergent, and Maid to help you in applying these elements to your own writingLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let's Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world. You'll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.Connect on Instagram.

This episode will hopefully not only open you up to some new ways to think about creativity and your own creative gifts, but David also shares some practical, research-based ways to both access those aha moments that we love and to support your own efforts in bringing your creative ideas to life in whatever format that might be. This episode will hopefully not only open you up to some new ways to think about creativity and your own creative gifts, but David also shares some practical, research-based ways to both access those aha moments that we love and to support your own efforts in bringing your creative ideas to life in whatever format that might be.Two of my favorite quotes from this episode:“Poetry is the art of saying very much with very few words," and when you're doubting your ideas, "The ability to be creative is not dependent on skills, but your execution of an art form is. So it's not so much that your ideas suck, it's that your execution sucks.”In this episode, we discussed:The importance of opening up to the process over becoming attached to the pre-conceived end resultThe concept that creativity is not a spiral but a quantum phenomena; it's about potentialityAllowing space for your unconscious mind to process and develop ideas because this is how we're designedThe power of aha moments and how when we're busy in our heads does not allow for aha momentsHow structure and repetition can allow for creative moments and ideas to happenA few ways to quiet the monkey mind so you can hear your creative ideas and aha's Meet David ChislettBorn in Britain, raised in South Africa, resident in The Netherlands. Nowhere and Everywhere are home. I am a published author, poet, musician and artist. I have also been an entrepreneur for over 25 years. The link that joins everything in my life together is creativity... I am interested in the human condition: what it means, what it looks like and how to get the most out of it.Connect with David ChislettDavid on InstagramDavid on FacebookDavid on LinkedInDavid's Website Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on FacebookConnect on LinkedIn.Connect on Instagram.

Here's what I discuss in this solo episode:The emphasis on productivity and speed in writingWhen it comes to our creative work, to sharing our messages and stories that we're drawn to, that we feel deeply, is speed the most important piece of writing? Or, is cultivating patience as a writer a better way to go? Or, is cultivating patience and writing slowly as a writer a better way to go? There is no right answer. I invite you to explore what works for your process.The results of my writing tracking experience that I discuss in episode 73.The value in allowing for time to your creative process to happenA few tips on speeding up your writing sessionsLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let's Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world. You'll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.Connect on Facebook or Join Amy's Facebook group for Aspiring Authors.Connect on Instagram.

In this episode, we discussed:How writing fiction and having conversations with characters that help yu work through challenging times in your own lifeThe importance of allowing for situations our character's lives to arise organicallyWriting about difficult situations and pain in fiction allows us to deal with and understand difficult issues from a variety of perspectivesThe importance of trusting your own writing process whether you're a planner or a discovery writer Piper's Books & Books We MentionedHer new short story, The Nice IslandThe Murder Lawyer, by Piper PunchesA Fine Balance by Rohinton MistryLucky Boy by Shanthi Sekaran Meet Piper PunchesPiper Punches is the Amazon bestselling novelist of The Waiting Room, 60 Days (Missing Girl Series - Book 1), The Murder Lawyer, and the novella, Missing Girl. Her books have been read by readers across the globe and she strives to write fiction that connects. Whether she's writing a legal thriller, a family drama, or a psychological thriller, relationships are always at the center of the story. Piper believes that the more we know each other, the better chance humanity has of surviving.Connect with Piper PunchesPiper on InstagramPiper on FacebookPiper's Website Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on FacebookConnect on LinkedIn.Connect on Instagram.

In this episode, we discussed:Tom's journaling practice and how he ultimately discovered that his journals could in fact be shaped into memoirsThe importance of hiring professional editorial help as he learned to writeHis system for asking for feedback from beta readers - SO many gems here. Tom does not just ask readers to let him know what they think. He shares his process and specific questions to guarantee that the feedback he gets is useful to making his book betterBraintoss - his favorite app for capturing ideas and notes on the goWhy he views writing daily (even with a newborn and a full-time job) as the key to his becoming a writer Tom's BooksDear Dory: Journal of a Soon-to-be First-time Dad (Adventures in Dadding Book 1)Dear Arlo: Adventures in DaddingMeet Tom KrefferTom Kreffer is the author of Dear Dory: Journal of a Soon-to-be First-time Dad and Dear Arlo: Adventures in Dadding and he is the creator of the Adventures in Dadding Newsletter. He loves Star Wars and Marvel movies, and he has a degree in film and television that he firmly believes to be worth less than a second-hand toothbrush. He lives in Northampton, England with his family, whom he intends to exploit for many more story opportunities in the years to come.Connect with Tom KrefferTom on InstagramTom on FacebookTom's Website Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on FacebookConnect on LinkedIn.Connect on Instagram.

This is a quick little episode of the podcast, but I wanted to share something that I've shared with my students in classes and workshops and with clients one on one for years whenever this idea that they don't have original ideas comes up. This will prove, unequivocally, that your ideas ARE original enough.

Here's what you'll learn in this solo episode:why I think planning and outlining is important,what you should include in your plan, andwhy creating a plan will NOT, in fact stifle, your creativity. You can sign up for the Plan Your Book Week Challenge here.Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let's Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world. You'll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.Connect on Facebook.

Writing and publishing one book is hard. It's a commitment to yourself and to your creative practice. But if you want to become a full-time novelist, it takes more than one book. My guest today committed big and has managed to write and publish close to 30 full-length novels in the past three years, many of which she wrote while teaching full-time. If you're like me, this sounds like an almost impossible task, but as Celeste proves, it can be done and done well. We dive into how she accomplished this and continues to write and publish multiple novels a year.

Ohhhh…THIS episode. It's UH-MAZ-ING!! It's that good because my guest is one of the wisest, kindest, and most generous of women shining her brilliant light on the planet right now, Janet Conner. The re-release of this episode is for two reasons. The first is that a new edition of her book Writing Down Your Soul was released in July 2021. And, in honor of that, Janet is teaching a brand new course on her book, something she hasn't done in years. I really wanted to share this with you.

In this episode, we discussed:How Tara managed to get that first book drafted in three monthsThe impact her book had on her business (it wasn't what she expected)How she showed herself grace through the process by not demanding perfectionand much more!Tara's BookHungry: Trust Your Body and Free your Mind Around FoodMeet Tara WhitneyTara Whitney is a published author, podcaster, speaker and coach. She's leading a revolution of women who are listening to their own internal wisdom, respecting and nourishing their bodies and ultimately trusting themselves in every area of their lives. Her latest book, Hungry: Trust Your Body and Free Your Mind around Food, offers a fresh perspective on why women have struggled with food and gives them a path to set themselves free. Tara is also the host of the Hungry: Trust Your Body. Free Your Mind. podcast where she interviews some amazing guests who've transformed their own relationship with food. They share what their life is like now that their minds are free and they trust their bodies. Connect with Tara WhitneyTara on InstagramTara on  LinkedInTara's WebsiteLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

The idea of taking a data-driven look at your creative process might feel uninspiring, however, if tracking what we're doing with data can help us to have more fun with our writing and feel good about our writing sessions, why not give it a go? This is really about finding your own writing process rather than cherry-picking ideas from different writers or trying things that might not be aligned with how you work.

In this episode, we discussed:The value of feedback and “practicing in public”That it's easier to write fast when you're writing what you really enjoy writing (not new info or a shocker but it definitely bears repeating!)Bryan's top three tips  for writing more (from his book of 33 tips – which is a solid, quick read - see link below)You don't have to type to write and how other methods help him write moreThe value of planning writing sessionsA few of Bryan's Books that we discussedBecome a Writer Today: The Complete Series: Book 1: Yes, You Can Write! | Book 2: The Savvy Writer's Guide to Productivity | Book 3: The Art of Writing a Non-Fiction BookYes, You Can Write!: 101 Proven Writing Prompts that Will Help You Find Creative Ideas Faster for Your Journal, Blogging, Writing Your Book and More (Become a Writer Today 1)Meet Bryan CollinsBryan Collins is an author from Ireland who helps writers build authority and earn a living from their creative work. He's also a former Forbes columnist and his work has appeared in publications like Lifehacker and Fast Company.Connect with BryanBryan on TwitterBryan's Website - become a writer todayLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

The force was with Byron Lane, former personal assistant to Carrie Fisher, when he wrote and published his debut novel, A Star is Bored, about a personal assistant to an eccentric movie star. While he drew on personal experience, the novel is fully fictionalized and hilarious. Byron openly shares his struggles and wins as he traveled down the road to becoming a novelist.In this episode, we discussed:Why Byron chose to Write A Star is Bored as a novel rather than a memoirWhat he's done to learn to write fiction and novelsWorking with freelance editors on early drafts to learn to tighten up the story and focus on what's importantThe plot structure Byron relies on to get going and out of “stuckness”The importance of a characters internal journey for a successful storyHow to get feedback from readers rather without reading reviewsMeet Byron LaneByron Lane is an author, playwright, and screenwriter. His debut novel is called A STAR IS BORED, hailed by the New York Times as “wildly funny,” about an uptight celebrity assistant struggling to manage his eccentric movie star boss, inspired in part by Lane's time as assistant to beloved actress Carrie Fisher. He is a two-time regional Emmy Award winner from his time as a television journalist. Lane also wrote the acclaimed play TILDA SWINTON ANSWERS AN AD ON CRAIGSLIST, the award winning web series LAST WILL & TESTICLE, and the feature film HERPES BOY starring Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer.Connect with ByronByron on InstagramByron's WebsiteLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you'll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you're enjoying what you're hearing, I'd be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they're fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this solo episode:a simple process for choosing books to read and the steps to take to read like a writeran example that walks you through the processLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter  to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and bringing books into the world. You’ll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.Connect on Facebook or Join Amy’s Facebook group for Aspiring Authors.Connect on Instagram.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this solo episode:how to clear your brain so you can decidea handful of questions to ask yourself to help you make your decisionLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world. You’ll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.Connect on Facebook or Join Amy’s Facebook group for Aspiring Authors.Connect on Instagram.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this solo episode:how you can develop a well-rounded villainhow and when to introduce them in your storyfive questions to ask about your character as you develop thema few specific ways you can make them force your protagonist to actBooks Mentioned in this EpisodeCharacters & Viewpoint (Elements of Fiction Writing) by Orson Scott CardThe Emotional Wound Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Psychological Trauma by Angela Ackerman and Becca PuglisiThe Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Flaws by Angela Ackerman and Becca PuglisiLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world. You’ll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.Connect on Facebook or Join Amy’s Facebook group for Aspiring Authors.Connect on Instagram.

In this episode, we discussed:The villain as a mirror to the protagonistHow Ellie uses discovery drafts, or as she says the “crap draft” to get to know her characters and storyHer different approaches to writing novels vs. screenplaysWhy humanizing your villain can deepen that characterIf you need to include your villain’s backstory in your bookA great Scrivener tip for saving drafts of your novel – I’ve used Scrivener for YEARS and just learned this tipMeet Ellie Shoja“Modern-day Rumi” Ellie Shoja is a serial entrepreneur, author of The 13th Planet and Your Heart Knows The Way, co-founder of Peace Unleashed, TEDx speaker, and the co-host of the Unleash Your Peace podcast.As the daughter of an international con man, Ellie moved 30 times and lived in refugee camps in Germany before immigrating to the United States at the age of 15. By the age of 12, Ellie was suffering from severe nervous tics, anger and mood disorders, and suicidal ideation. What began as a personal healing journey turned into an 18-year deep dive into various modalities of psychology, philosophy, and spirituality. Ellie founded Peace Unleashed in order to share the inner peace strategies, tools, and processes that helped her become one of the most grounded and peaceful people living today.Ellie has been featured in various podcasts and publications including Entrepreneur, Elite Daily, Authority Magazine, and Thrive Global. Among her clients are A-list celebrities, influencers, and online personalities. She is a keynote speaker and has spoken at national and international conferences including Borderless Content Congress, The Great American Pitchfest, and Digital Hollywood.Connect with EllieEllie on InstagramEllie on YouTubeEllie’s WebsiteLinks Mentioned in the ShowScrivener – our favorite novel drafting toolLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

Here’s what you'll learn in this solo episode:the benefits of setting deadlines for your writing projects and sessionsthe types of deadlines you can sethow to make them realistic and achievablea series of questions to ask yourself to help you set realistic writing goalssome ideas on actually meeting your writing deadlines, so you can get  your books finished and meet your deadlines to share your books with the world, rather than feel overwhelmed and frustrated because you missed your deadlineBooks Mentioned in this EpisodeThe 90 Day Year by Brian P. MoranLinks I shared:Facebook Group – to access the monthly links for the Write-Together SessionsLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world. You’ll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.Connect on Facebook or Join Amy’s Facebook group for Aspiring Authors.Connect on Instagram

Following this interview, I scheduled a session with Shailaja to help me with my own social media and OH MY GOSH! She’s so incredibly helpful and genuine. For the first time ever, I’ve been able to think of posting on social media with…excitement and joy rather than dread and overwhelm. Reach out if you’d like to write meaningful short-form content to reach your readersIn this episode, we discussed:The magic of using social media to connect with readersCombining the art of creating with the art of genuine connectionShailaja’s super easy system to consistently come up with short form content, whether it’s for an article, blog post or social media postThe importance of balancing creating with consuming contentWhy we should use editors and be open to editorial feedback, even on shorter contentHow our short form content can inform creation of longer piecesMeet Shailaja VishwanathShailaja Vishwanath is a blog and social media coach with over a decade of blogging experience. For the past few years she’s also been coaching other content creators and bloggers to grow their organic audience without the overwhelm. She helps creators DIY their blogging and social media strategy and helps them truly connect with their audience.Connect with ShailajaShailaja’s Blog Reboot ProgramShailaja on InstagramShailaja on LinkedInShailaja’s WebsiteLinks Mentioned in the ShowEpisode 55 – Idea Capture ToolsEpisode 37 – Idea Generation StrategiesAmy’s Facebook Group to continue the discussionLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

Mostly, what we want you to take away from this interview is an awareness - an awareness of the need for diverse characters, an awareness that we have our own internal biases that we need to be aware of as we write characters who are different from ourselves, and an awareness that we have a responsibility as writers to research, fill in our own blind spots, and do this work well.

Big announcement - we've changed the name a bit and narrowed in the focus of this podcast to...writing and even more specifically, writing novels and memoirs. The Dear Creativity, Let’s Write Podcast is for both brand new writers who are just beginning to get their story out of their heads and onto the page and seasoned authors looking for some inspiration and ideas to improve their own writing and creative process.

In this episode, we discussed:How she chose to follow her JOY to reclaim her identity as an artist that she’d lost as a young teenher incredible story of finding a painting she'd done as a teen that told her story 40 years laterWhat happens to us as artists and creatives when we get in the flow and past the self-judgment Links Mentioned in the ShowSmashbooking episode with fellow Intentional Creativity teacher, Catt ZLink to the story of the symbolic self-portrait painting foretold my future that was found in the attic Meet Kerry LeeKerry Lee, The Alchemical Artist, experienced a 35-year case of "creative constipation" when she tried to conform to others expectations vs. her natural-born strengths and desires. In 2013 after experiencing major challenges in her personal and work life she was able to release her block and the path to reclaiming her creativity and experiencing life according to her began. During the 2020 pandemic, she gathered many of her life and creative experiences and founded The Self Discovery Wisdom School. Kerry Lee and her team of self-discovery specialists help women (and men) who feel stuck or lost in their current experience of life, who know there is more, and think it's my time, find their way to clarity, confidence, and freedom.Connect with KerryKerry on InstagramKerry on FacebookKerry’s on LinkedInThe Self Discovery Wisdom School Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

Here’s what I discuss in this solo episode:How to get to your best book, (hint – it happens during the revision process)The difference between editing and revision and WHY revision is so importantOne way you can cut down on spending weeks months or even years of revising if it’s not your favorite part of writingWhy you can (and in my opinion should) defy what’s taught about “when” you should revise your manuscriptWhy taking time on revising is importantLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world. You’ll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.Connect on Facebook or Join Amy’s Facebook group for Aspiring Authors.Connect on Instagram.

In this episode, we discussed:How the need for praise drives us to deny our own creative callings as we serve othersHow play and performing helped Margaret break through her perfectionism and get past playing smallHow she learns to pray and trust that she’s not aloneHow speaking our truth and sharing our stories can actually help us step into themBooks Mentioned in the ShowBrave(ish) – Margaret’s memoirThe Book of Delights by Ross GayPlaying Big, Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead by Tara MohrWhat I Talk About When I Talk About Running, by Haruki MurakamiMeet Margaret GhilemettiMargaret Davis Ghielmetti is a writer, storyteller, solo performance artist, and photographer. She and her Swiss husband have lived on four continents and have visited nearly fifty countries. Margaret loves to entertain others with her traveler’s tales and travel (mis-)adventures…and especially to inspire them to live their own best (and imperfect) lives! Her book, Brave(ish): A Memoir of a Recovering Perfectionist was published in 2020 by She Writes Press.Connect with MargaretMargaret on InstagramMargaret on FacebookMargaret’s websiteLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

In this episode, we discussed:How parents can speak their children’s language of play to encourage creativity, have more fun, and create connections with their kidsHow creative parenting is a mindset NOT a craft projectWhy the creative process is more important than the outcomeIdeas and easy ways to infuse creativity into daily lifeNina’s 5×5 of Creative ParentingConnect with Nina MeehanNina on InstagramNina’s websiteLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyGrab the Creativity Boosters to Amp up your own creative ideas so you can create your best work. This will subscribe you to the newsletter.If you don’t want the boosters but want weekly updates, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

Here’s what I discuss in this solo episode:What voice isWhat it isn’tFour ways to begin to develop your own voice and express yourself AS yourselfBooks Mentioned in the ShowBird by Bird, by Anne LamottOn Writing, by Stephen KingWriting with Quiet Hands, by Paula MunierLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world. You’ll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

In this episode, we discussed:How having a child reconnected her to her love of music and singing.Her struggles with self-doubt and how mothering helped her begin to overcome themHow befriending her inner-critic finally allowed her to begin sharing and embracing her workLinks Mentioned in the ShowCall for Submissions– Mara is accepting submissions for her book Don’t Tell My Child through March 14, 2021. All of the details are in this link.Connect with Mara MeasorMara Measor is a singer-songwriter and co-founder of a creative agency. She has devoted her life to telling stories, both her own and of the clients she works with every day. Her most recent songs capture the experience of learning to feel at home with new identities: a child grieving a parent's death, a new mother navigating cross-cultural parenting, an artist looking for peace.If you’d like to connect with Mara, you can find her at:Mara on InstagramMara’s website Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyGrab the Creativity Boosters to Amp up your own creative ideas so you can create your best work. This will subscribe you to the newsletter.If you don’t want the boosters but want weekly updates, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

In this episode, we discussed:Doug’s near-death experience that brought him to developing a meditation practice and ultimately hypnosis to begin to deal with his anxiety and depressionTwo ways hypnosis can address and change your beliefsHow brain waves work and what hypnotism actually isLinks Mentioned in the ShowDoug’s self-hypnosis programs – in the podcast, we discussed his February programs but this episode went live after his program. Thankfully, Doug recorded them here!Connect with Doug SandsDoug Sands is a consulting hypnotist who helps would-be adventurers overcome fear and anxiety. He is also the host of the Making Meaning Podcast, a show that interviews top adventurers about the struggles they’ve overcome in their journey.If you’d like to connect with Doug, you can find him at:Doug on FacebookDoug on InstagramDoug’s websiteLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyGrab the Creativity Boosters to Amp up your own creative ideas so you can create your best work. This will subscribe you to the newsletter.If you don’t want the boosters but want weekly updates, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:My favorite idea capture tools:Aqua NotesBath Crayonsotter.ai – voice to text transcription toolGoogle Docs or WordMy journal – an unlined composition book. I talk all about these in episode 53.My favorite idea organization toolsEvernoteScrivenerGoogle DocsWhy keeping your tools and systems simple is the best strategyLinks Mentioned in the ShowCold Hard Cache – the latest Tricia Seaver mystery novelIn the Cards – the first Tricia Seaver mystery novelLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get weekly ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

In this episode, we discussed:How Stephanie has balanced her craft with life and a chronic illnessHow she manages to stay connected to her creativity and muses even on those days that she's unable to get out of bedHow important reading is to becoming a better writerSome of Stephanie's tips for creating fully developed characters, and the questions she asks herself about them Stephanie Harper is not only a novelist, but also a published poet. We ended the episode with a reading of her poem "Epiphany" which is a beautiful piece about inspiration.Links Mentioned in the ShowRead Stephanie's books, Wesley Yorstead goes Outside and Sermon Series Connect with Stephanie HarperStephanie Harper is the author of Wesley Yorstead Goes Outside (Propertius Press, 2020), as well as a poetry collection entitled Sermon Series (Finishing Line Press, 2017). She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Fairfield University. She’s written personal essays and articles for many publications online and in print. She currently lives in Littleton, CO.If you’d like to connect with Stephanie, you can find her at:Stephanie on TwitterStephanie on InstagramStephanie's website Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyGrab the Creativity Boosters to Amp up your own creative ideas so you can create your best work. This will subscribe you to the newsletter.If you don’t want the boosters but want weekly updates, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:Why a regular journaling practice is importantWhat you need to begin your practice, including my favorite toolsWhat do write each day on the page - my thoughts on this are a bit different than some of what people teach (that didn't work for me)Links Mentioned in the ShowMy favorite journal - a basic, blank, unruled composition bookMy favorite pens for journaling and writing quicklyWriting Down Your Soul by Janet ConnerOpening Up by Writing it Down by Dr. James PennebakerEpisode #25  where I interviewed Janet Conner about deep soul writing.Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get weekly ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

In this episode, you'll learn:how Jeff defines play, which makes play super fun and easy at any agehow to start playing, even if you don't know how anymore (you actually DO know how and probably play way more often than you think)Two questions to ask your friends to help you add a little more play to your own lifeHow discovering your favorite ways to play can also help you clarify your values and purposeWhat to do when that inner critic pops up and tries to stop you from playingHow and why you can prime your day for creativity and joy Looking for more episodes on Play?Episode 48 - Igniting Your Creative Spark Through PlayEpisode 34 - Love on your Inner Critic and Create Connect with Jeff HarryJeff Harry shows individuals and companies how to tap into their true selves, to feel their happiest and most fulfilled — all by playing. Jeff has worked with Google, Microsoft, Southwest Airlines, Adobe, the NFL, Amazon and Facebook, helping their staff to infuse more play into the day-to-day. Jeff is an international speaker who has presented at conferences such as INBOUND, SXSW, and Australia’s Pausefest, showing audiences how major issues in the workplace can be solved using play. Jeff was selected by Engagedly as one of the Top 100 HR Influencers of 2020 for his organizational development work around addressing toxicity in the workplace.​His playwork has been featured in the New York Times, AJ+, SoulPancake, the SF Chronicle, and CNN. While we spend most of our time pretending to be important, serious grownups, it's when we let go of that facade and just play, that the real magic happens. Fully embracing your own nerdy genius — whatever that is — gives you the power to make a difference and change lives. Jeff believes that we already have many of the answers we seek, and by simply unleashing our inner child, we can find our purpose and, in turn, help to create a better world.If you’d like to connect with Jeff, you can find him at:Jeff on YoutubeJeff on Instagram Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottomStay Connected with AmyGrab the Creativity Boosters to Amp up your own creative ideas so you can create your best work. This will subscribe you to the newsletter.If you don’t want the boosters but want weekly updates, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:Why I started both my blog (a decade ago) and my podcast a year agoWhat I love about podcastingThe challenges of creating and keeping your show going (especially if you don’t have a production team)Skills you’ll need to learn (that I didn’t realize I needed to really master)Why you might consider starting with a blog to share your message and voiceLinks Mentioned in the ShowBlogging for Beginners Course I’m teaching at the Story Circle Network in January – if you’ve thought of getting online, blogging is a great way to start sharing your writingEpisode #50 on creating space and why I took my podcast breakLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get weekly ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

In this solo episode, I discuss:Why the six-month mark in a difficult time period can be especially rough to get through.My unhealthy response to the challenges of Covid and the quarantineFive strategies to slow down and create space to get your creativity going again if it’s been stalledThe significance of slowing down for your creative projectsLinks Mentioned in the Show“Professor Ahmad’s Six-Month Wall: Rehumanizing The Virtual Workplace,” by Nancy DoyleBored to Brilliant by Manoush ZomorodiLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get weekly ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.