The Creative DoubleShot

Episode Notes: 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. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes: 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. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes: 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. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes: 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: Breaks, Permission and Writing, Nathan Bransford Oprah's Book Club website on timshel and East of Eden Shitty First Drafts, excerpt from Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes: 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. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes: 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. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes: 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 This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

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

Episode Notes: Most of us look back at one point or another and wish we'd had the benefit of the hard won wisdom we now possess, but would our younger selves have been receptive? And even if they had, would they have put that wisdom to use? In this episode we discuss some of the things we think might have been useful knowing full well it may fall on unreceptive ears. We also harmonize badly and talk about conventional wisdom. Pull up a stool and grab some snacks and join us for another episode of the Creative DoubleShot. Links: Pity The Reader, On Writing With Style by Kurt Vonnegut and Suzanne McConnell Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott (New York Times: Book Review) This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes: Craft is something that forms and evolves over time. It's also one tool of several you apply to your creative practice, albeit more akin to a multi-plier than a flathead screwdriver. Okay, that's probably enough of the tool metaphor. In this episode we talk about craft, ways to hone it, pitfalls to look out for and how being a lifelong student is a pretty solid approach enjoying its evolution. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes: Sometimes the idea you think you have is not the one you ultimately wind up with. We talk about ideas, not so much where they come from, but what to do with them once they drop into your skull like a quarter in a gumball machine. Because many initial ideas are born from things we've seen or heard, they may manifest at first as cliché, but give them time to percolate or work them over from many different angles, and you may just find the sweet spot that inspires you to keep going. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes: Hang on to your bagpipes because in this episode we talk about storytelling, the forms it can take, how to indulge in your inner minstrel or gleeman or busker by dragging the story(ies) inside you out into the world, bit by bit, or, as Anne Lamott would say, bird by bird. We reference a few of our favorite storytellers and in the process mention Sir Rod Stewart two times too many. If that has scared you away, you are in for a laughter filled treat recorded after a long day of day jobbery. Links: 7 Lessons Learned About Writing From Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott, post at tunerstories.com. Every Picture Tells A Story, Rod Stewart What's He Building, Tom Waits The Greek Chorus Explained, video from the Millennial Classicist This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes: Sometimes too many choices can paralyze us in life and in our creative practice. In these instances it can be useful to set some limits whether it be in your choice of media, your time, your palette or your tools. And those limitations over which you have no control? You may just want to embrace the hell out of them and see what happens. Links: Phil Hansen, Embrace The Shake TED Talk Tim Ferriss (4 Hour Work Week) Interviews Writer and Creative Legend Margaret Atwood The Psychology of Limitations: How and Why Constraints Can Make You More Creative, Buffer Blog This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes: Join us on a meandering, um, Journey (you'll see) of exploration on those features of our modern world that chip away at our creative practice. We don't have any tips about how to beat Father Time, but we do offer up some tips on how to make the most of our time while we're here. From the demands of the modern work life and the silicon valley inspired side hustle/gig economy to the way we choose to fill our days, you're sure to find a treasure amid the conversation hoard we lay before you. Links: 4000 Weeks, Time Management For Mortals by Oliver Burkeman. Sincerest apologies to Oliver Burkeman, who I referred to as Oliver Burke throughout the episode. The fact remains, his book is a must-read. A Soft Manifesto. Artist and writer Cortney Cassidy on the anti-capitalist values that helped her launch Mail Blog, and a set of principles you can apply to your own values-driven art making. Also, apologies to Journey, the song we were groping for was Faithfully. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes: With the Russian invasion of Ukraine dominating headlines, we dig into creating while the world seems to be crumbling around us. What's the point? Why bother? Turns out there are many reasons to keep the faith and keep creating. Creativity in uncertain times may seem frivolous or a guilty pleasure but it's fundamental to our humanity and holds great value both on the personal level and in our communities. Links: Why Make Art When The World Is Burning? Blog post by Brad Blackman We Learn Nothing, by Tim Kreider

Episode Notes: As Ginger prepares for her first day of her new job at the library, we talk about maintaining your creativity while holding down a day job. It might seem daunting at first, but there are ways, dude, and we want you to know. Also, If you have a full-time job and you just don't think you have the time for a creative practice, guess again. You just have to ask yourself one crucial question. And lastly, if you're on the fence about listening to this episode, let us entice you with the mysteries of oyster metaphors. It'll be fun! Links: How To Balance Full-Time Work With Creative Projects, by Jeffrey Silverstein at The Creative Independent Practical advice on managing a creative practice while working over at Medium: How to Pursue Your Creative Calling While Working Full-time by Bernadette Cay On Writing (with a Day Job), by Richard Mirabella at Catapult

Episode Notes: Sometimes the answer to a question about, or a solution to, a creative conundrum lies within ourselves, we just need a way to get it out. Enter journaling. In this episode we talk a bit about our very different approaches to journaling and others that are out there. We also talk about the benefits of journaling ranging from the mental to the spiritual to the physical. We also take a side trip to the land of rainbow pens and Mork & Mindy t-shirts. Come aboard! We're expecting you. Links: Daybook: The Journal of An Artist, Anne Truitt To Spring From The Hand, YouTube channel about Paulus Berensohn Leuchtterm Notebook, Composition - B5 Uni Ball Vision Pen .7mm

Episode Notes: Sometimes you're just itching to share your work with someone. Anyone. But is that always the best indicator that it's time to put your latest creative project out there? In this episode we identify a few potential indicators that can help you know when the time is right. And perhaps more importantly, we examine some of the reasons why you'd want to share, including ego, feedback and spreading joy. Knowing what you want to get out of sharing (and what's in it for the other guy!) is an immense help in knowing what to expect when you do share. Pull up a chair and prop up your feet and enjoy! Links: You Can't Create Under Surveillance, post by Austin Kleon that compliments this episode very well NYT Review of The Selected Works of Audre Lorde To Spring From The Hand, The life and work of Paulus Berensohn, documentary Beyond the Visible: Hilma Af Klint, documentary trailer Online Writing Workshop for Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, website

Episode Notes: It seems as if we're always striving to finish our creative work, but sometimes it seems as if the finish line moves or disappears altogether. Or maybe we never knew where it was to begin with. So how are you supposed to know when you're really finished? We throw out some sign posts that help us know when we're finished, but also when we've still got work to do or when we've destroyed our latest project by working the life out of it. Come for the discussion about markers that can help you gauge where you are in the lifecycle of your project, stay for the baking metaphors. Links: How Do You Know When You're Done Writing? - Author News, Penguin Random House How To Know When Your Art Is Done - Nicholas Wilton The Three Times Your Novel Is Finished - Lit Reactor Recommended: A Poetry Handbook by Mary Oliver - Poetry Tea Time

Episode Notes: Sometimes we suffer from inertia in our creative practice. Whether just starting out on our creative journey or working at it for years, there are times when it all seems pointless or overwhelming or just blah. In those moments we find it hardest to take that first step, to put brush to canvas or fingers to fretboards. It's something we encounter regularly, so we need to figure out ways that make getting started less daunting or even exciting. Links: Austin Kleon, Keep Going Robert D. Richardson, First We Read, Then We Write: Emerson on the Creative Process Steven Pressfield, The War of Art CreativeLive, "The Single Biggest Thing You Can Do For Your Career: Show Up"