When we started the Creative DoubleShot, Ginger and I had one rule: We would do the podcast as long as it was fun. Along with that rule, we had a goal: Create content that would be useful to creatives no matter where they were in their journey. While it may not have always been pretty or direct, we feel pretty good about how far we've come. We set a timeline of one year to see where we were and how--or if--we wanted to continue. With Episode 50, that time is here, so we leave you with a few words of thanks and discuss what the podcast has meant to us and what might be down the road. We're taking at least through July off, but possibly August too to re-evaluate what comes next. Thanks for joining us on this journey. Heart emoji.

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Join us as we talk about Ginger's experience at the Taubman Art Museum's Sidewalk Art Show this past weekend in Roanoke, Virginia. We discuss the convergence of art and commerce, being on display along with your art and the power of the broader community. You can't predict the weather, although it was great for the show, and you certainly can't predict what or why people are going to buy art. Another reason to make art that excites you first and foremost.

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If you've ever heard the idiom "greater than the sum of its parts", you know that Frankenstein's monster was a helluva guy. If you've ever heard someone say "less is more", they may have also been talking about Frankenstein's monster. But we digress. In this episode we shamble through the concept of leaving stuff out, not doing too much and provide some real world examples from Jonathan's visit to the virtual Nebula Awards conference. It's a hoot, owl tell you. A genuine hoot. Join us in the trust tree for another exciting episode.

NOTE: We apologize for leaving you, our dedicated listeners, high and dry last week. The truth behind the absence of the Creative DoubleShot last week and the machinations of the podiatric gods shall be revealed when you listen to this week's episode.

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We get so hung up on things like measuring productivity, keeping in line with our own impressions of ourselves, and perfection that we forget we have the power to lay all that stuff aside in service of getting the most out of our creative practice. Sometimes we just need to take a step back and examine our narratives and notions to understand how impermanent--not to mention undermining--they are. This episodes all about you, so give yourself permission to join us for our patented CDS Empower Quarter Hour. Just rolls right off the tongue, doesn't it?

Links:

1. Breaks, Permission and Writing, Nathan Bransford
2. Oprah's Book Club website on timshel and East of Eden
3. Shitty First Drafts, excerpt from Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott

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Taking to time to examine what's come before has its utility. The trick is being able to tell the solid ground from the quicksand, but when you do, reflection works on so many levels, from the day to day to keep your focus and your enthusiasm, to recurring themes in your creative practice. And best of all, don't forget the mistake-a-tunities that present themselves on the regular. Take some time to navel gaze to enrich your creative practice.

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If you ever find yourself wandering the foggy moors of creative practice with nary a flickering lantern to guide you, it may be time to set some intentions, intentionally working with all the intent you can muster. Sound confusing? It is! But only when you look at the concept inside Jonathan's brain. In this episode we talk intention and how it can help guide you even in your darkest creative hour.

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In this episode we talk about focusing on the little victories to keep us going and keep the fires of begeisterung stoked. Too often we focus on the barriers to creating what we want, whether it be lack of time, immature craft, jealousy or a rug that needs a good vacuuming. Dump the negativity and seek out those little wins. This includes anything from trying or learning something new, completing a thing, reading something that inspires and so much more. Ginger talks about how liberating not showing her current work to anyone for seven months, which is unheard of. While Jonathan explores moving beyond intuition in character development in favor of employing new tools. This episodes got a lot packed into a short time, so listen closely and maybe you'll find something to help you find a treasure trove of things to cheer about.

Links: The Art of Character, by David Corbett Terra Ignota Series, by Ada Palmer Writing Excuses podcast

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This past weekend we left our home for a modest cabin in the woods for a couple of days dedicated to creativity. It's not about productivity so much as it's about having the permission to ignore everything else and dig into those things that fill the soul, such as reading, playing music, journaling or just staring at the fire with a mug of hot coffee in your hand. Oh, and s'mores. Lots of s'mores. Clearly we think this is a good idea. And we hope you consider it for yourself, if you don't already.

Links:

1. Draft No. 4, piece by John McPhee in the New Yorker
2. Draft No. 4: On the Writing Process, by John McPhee
3. Pity the Reader: How Kurt Vonnegut Made Me A Better Writer, Michelle Boring, Chatham University Blog
4. A Review of Kurt Vonnegut and Suzanne McConnell’s “Pity the Reader”, Zachary Houle, Medium

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