The other day, I invited two poets, Veronica Patterson and Lisa Zimmerman, to speak to one of my writing groups. They talked about how poetry predates written language and how it’s in all of us. They pointed out that little kids speak naturally in metaphor. For example, when you ask them how something felt, they...
Tag: writers
Lessons from a Lullaby
I’m sure it’s safe to say that every culture across the globe has its own lullabies. And that mothers have been singing their children to sleep since the dawn of civilization. If your ancestors hail from a certain country or tribe, you may know the traditional lullabies. Or perhaps your mother made up her own...
Sometimes You Just Gotta Do It
I’m not sure if you are familiar with the program “StrengthsFinder by Gallup.” I was introduced to the book years ago and it made a huge impact on my understanding of how I function as an artist and a business woman. As it turns out, though, most of my strengths lie in the category of strategy...
Birthing Your Creative Baby
The other day, I was visiting with a group of writers, one of whom had finished a second major revision of her book and was about to start a third. “It’s like birthing a baby, isn’t it?” One of the other writers said. “Yeah, a breech baby,” my friend responded. There is nothing quick or...
Are You Producing or Creating?
This entry marks the fourth anniversary of this blog and the 200th post! Hard to believe. I’ve now shared 73,500 words with you, loyal readers. Enough to fill a book! Words I hope have provided inspiration, encouragement, support, and a kick in the butt as you pursue your artist journey or uncover your creative self....
What If?
What If? My two favorite words. They’ve spawned every creation since the dawn of time. The poet asks “what if?” before he puts his pen to paper; the politician asks “what if?” when she’s proposing a new bill; the humanitarian asks “what if?” when he’s imagining a better world; the scientist asks “what if?” when...
It’s Time to Be Bigger
2017 was a hard year. Political turmoil, worldwide terrorism, natural disasters, and so much more. Many of my friends started the year in a state of panic. So much to do, so much to undo. They took to the streets to protest and rally, and to the phones to call their senators and congressmen. They...
Wisdom Comes From Reflection
It’s that time of year again. Time to set my New Year’s goals and resolutions. Time to settle on my 2018 business plan. Time to think about changes I need to make and things I need to do better. Time to get serious about some very serious goals. If I buckle down, I can: Finish...
Give With Faith and Abandon – Revisited
One of my favorite things about December is the call to action to support charities and nonprofits. I donate to several nationwide and global organizations, especially those that support children, but I also enjoy finding those smaller, local nonprofits quietly going about great work in our communities. A donation to their organizations is always treated...
When Was the Last Time You Got Lost in Contemplation?
When I was 19, I did that dirt-poor college trip around Europe. I was so poor, I didn’t even have a backpack, I just had a free tote bag and my college book bag. My traveling companions and I spent a lot of time riding in trains and buses. Because we weren’t getting along too...