Hi creativity friends,

If you want to set your creativity on fire, you need to look at what lights you up on the inside. Is it art? Music? Sky diving? Look at what refills your creative well.

“Serious art is born from serious play.” - Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way

Julia Cameron suggests taking yourself on an artist's date each week to let yourself do things that refill the well of creative energy.

It could be something that makes you smile or something you always put off for later. Maybe it's something you've been wanting to try but it scares you.

I've been in writer mode for a while now and I know I should do some other crafts to treat myself and branch out. I've been putting it off and putting it off. I have this quilt kit that I bought ages ago and it's next on my project list. It's so intricate, I'm afraid to start. Check it out:

You can make the quilt as one big quilt or several smaller wall quilts. I think I will go for the smaller ones instead of the great big one because it's less overwhelming and they would make great gifts.

Other things that are scaring me

I've been working on a series of novels set in a small town valley setting. (Write what you know, right?) They are young adult fantasy romances. The first book is at the editor and due back any day now. What I look like while waiting:

She says it was a fun read and that there's not too much big stuff to fix. I do need to make Zaria's school friends and the big bad guy more well-developed. If you want more info on the Valley Glen books, they are on my website.

Creative Resources - Artist's date

Do you want to learn more about artist dates and hear some ideas? Here's Julia Cameron talking more about them. If you want more concrete examples, try this video or this blog post.

It's all about giving yourself permission to have fun and do something new and fresh for a change.

Last, I have a question for you:

Artist, Audette Minks and I are working on a Creativity Journal for release later this year. Which do you think looks better? Solid white text box or transparent white? Or should we match to each piece of art, like teal?

Reply to this email and let me know!

Happy creating!

Mary