the creative journey
If you’re new here, Story Work is the name of my current book-in-progress. It describes a process of reflecting, reclaiming, and reimagining the stories of our lives. It involves looking at your life experiences as creative material that you have the power to shape.
The weekly story work topics cover universal life themes with references from literature, philosophy, science, and spirituality; offering perspectives that spark ideas for personal growth and creative expression.
Paid subscribers receive Story Work exercises every Sunday night at 8 pm et.
Hi friends,
We just wrapped up friendship matters, our latest story work series. The story work series started back in late 2022, and I’ve been posting new exercises every week since then. By the way, did you know that on the second Saturday of each month, I gather with members of the Inner Story Writing Circle on Zoom, and they have the opportunity to share pieces that they wrote from the weekly story work exercises and get supportive feedback? Members also have the option to share any other piece of writing they are working on and get feedback on that.
As far as the feedback goes, the emphasis is on storytelling and emotional impact, not literary critiquing. Sharing is optional and members are invited to attend these sessions even if they don’t plan on sharing. It’s an opportunity to set a writing goal, hold yourself accountable, practice creative courage, and receive feedback. It’s also a beautiful way to recharge in creative community with other writers.
If you are someone who works on these exercises alone and you’re craving creative community, you can learn more about the Inner Story Writing Circle here.
So anyway, as many of you know, I’m working on the last three chapters of a book project with a November deadline quickly approaching. To give myself some breathing room for the next few weeks, I will be resharing and remixing previously posted story work exercises, focusing on ones that support your writing identity.
Our next theme is the creative journey. I will be sharing a series of posts that will awaken, affirm, and reinforce your creative identity.
I know you wear all kinds of hats in your life. Some of them may make you feel like your creative identity is stifled and compartmentalized. But you’re here on Substack, specifically reading this particular newsletter, because you have creative callings and you value creative courage. I’m here to support that part of you and offer ideas and exercises that empower your inner artist.
Whether these exercises are review for you or brand new, I encourage you to revisit them often when you need to remember who your inner artist is and why committing to your creative callings is worth the effort.
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identity and influences
“And, so, knowing why you create—figuring out your impulses and drives and motivations—and also becoming aware of your creativity-killing fears and attitudes can make all the difference between giving up and doing the imaginative work you want to do in the world." — Meta Wagner, What’s Your Creative Type?