Thursday 10 November 2011

Some Musings About My Muse...

Where does creativity come from? I'm not saying I know, I'm just asking. And while I'm wondering aloud, why do we doubt ourselves when it comes to our creativity?

A couple of years ago I published a book. It was a little book, a travel memoir. The thing is, I started writing that book 13 years before I actually finished it. I procrastinated and dismissed my ability, thinking to myself, "Who am I to write a book? Books are a big deal. No one would ever want to read anything I have to say."  Then I had a total knee replacement. I was pretty much sequestered to my recliner for a couple of months so I decided to take another look at my unfinished travel memoir.

Upon re-reading it I expected my same negative thoughts to accompany me, but for some reason they stayed away. I read what I had written years before and much to my surprise it sounded good! I read it aloud just to be sure and it still sounded good. I pulled a fresh ice pack out of the freezer for my knee and got down to business. I wrote and wrote and wrote and a couple of months later, I had actually finished it. It was a book! Upon the advice of a friend I self-published "Dreaming of Sicily - A Travel Memoir," and it now sells on Amazon.com and in my Etsy store (Pretty Girl Postcards).

But this blog post isn't about book writing, it's about believing in yourself and your abilities as an artist. Don't think that your creations aren't worthy. There may be someone out there just dying to find your product. They may not even know what it is they are looking for, but when they see your fine work they know they've found just what they were looking for.

Here's a little game I play when the self-criticism fairy decides to rain down upon my parade:

I think to myself:

What if Michelangelo had painted the Sistine Chapel, climbed down from the scaffolding and said, "Ugh, who would want to look at that?" and instructed his workers to instead paint the ceiling white. There would be no reason to go to Rome! (Okay, bad example. Of course Rome would be worth visiting even without the Sistine Chapel. I mean, really, it's ROME!)

What if [insert the name of your favorite singer/songwriter/musician/band here] had decided he or she wasn't talented enough to record their compositions. Can you imagine even one day without hearing your favorite song? I know I can't!

I could go on an on, but what I really want to say is... BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. Put your work out there. Listen to your muse and tell that self-criticism fairy to 'sod off!' And who knows, maybe your creations will inspire another artist somewhere down the road to create something beautiful of their own.

Friday 4 November 2011

Don't Give up

Whenever you start something new it takes time and effort to continue it. Sometimes when you're creating, it takes no effort because it's something that just has to come out of you no matter what. Well it's like that for me most of the time :-)


So don't give up on us! We've just opened and are still looking for recruits. The word is OUT and circulating amongst the team. I expect a slight trickle in response.... well actually I hope for more :-)

It has oft been said, give a job to a busy person and it will get done, give it to someone who has a lot of time on their hands and you'll never see it again. I think that's because a busy person co-ordinates their time, or they try to and they do get to it, sooner rather than later.

A word to the team members: The great thing about being able to use this site as a BRAG spot for our creations or wares is that each of us can schedule it to be published at a certain time and day. How cool is that hey! SO  even if you're going to be busy for the next two weeks but have half an hour now, you could create one or two Brags and arrange for them to be published the same day you expect to upload the new listing .. wham!... exposure! YES! :-)


Okay back to our visitors : So please don't give up on us, keep checking the blog out and soon, yes soon we'll have all sorts of interesting things for you too look at... especially if you're shopping for Christmas and other special gifts. You'll be able to see the listings first because they've been BRAGGED about here, with a direct link to the shop to make you lives easier!

Right I must be off now...gotta go and create something .........