The Muse is IN Blog

Let's Do Something Different

The most creative people have this childlike facility to play.
-John Cleese

I had a dry spell with my A Muse's Daydream Podcast. Dry spells happen.

Then I remembered something I've teaching for 95 years (maybe more like 30, feels longer). Make it fun.
Then I thought...Wait! It WAS fun to do my podcast... so I went for the absurd and silly. Cause, that can be different,
and when the same old thing isn't working, it's time to get weird.

Works everytimish.

In this podcast:

Some traditions need to be examined, and maybe modified if they're not fun.
Some of us would rather high-five than bow. Some of us would rather blow bubbles in our chocolate malts than act too serious.
   Listen along as you read only if you want to.

Let’s try something different from a Muse’s Daydream by Jill

I am writing from a prompt I’ve posted for my online writing club.
We write and post twice a week, but only if you want to.
The directions for this prompt are to choose a title of a painting from a list of titles I’ve provided.
Then write poetry, prose, or nonsense.
Just anything to get out of the ordinariness of life into that wonderful creative flow.

I have chosen the painting title, Queen Paradise, this is what I write:

I am Queen Paradise

You can call me ... Queen Paradise…
 Never mind, call me "Dise."

According to doctrines handed down century after century after century,
You must bow when I am in your presence.

 I’m going to change that.

Okay, so now when I’m  in your presence, we will bump elbows, high five, and blow bubbles in our chocolate malts,

.. if you want to. Then we will step on cracks without breaking mothers' backs.
We will stand our broccoli up so it looks like a tree before we eat it.
We will not run with scissors though.  

My subjects have strict orders to obey me.
My subjects are:  Art, Geometry and Recess.
 Hence, we must paint flowers on our forearms, and run in circles around the school yard, stopping every once
in a while to identify what shapes the clouds have fashioned themselves in prior to eventual evaporation.

(The clouds that is, not us. We need to be around to partake in purple  snow cones later on),

We shall speak in double Dutch and recite strange poetry to familiar people.

That’s all, you can leave now. If you want to.
Wait…, the cat and the bird want you to stay for tea.

I do too.

Here’s what you must do… if you want to. Ask yourself, 'Am I having fun?'
and if not, ask “How can I make this fun?”  
You don’t even need to answer… just ask. Ideas will be delivered when you blow bubbles in your chocolate malt.

My writing club is fun… check it out below if you’d like to play.
No experience, perfectionism, criticism, or need to follow direction needed.

Stay safe. Check the stove before leaving the house.  Don’t text while driving!

Thanks for subscribing!

If you're interested in trying my Writing Club... it's only $10 a month. That exchange of a little movie (two cappucinos here in CA), will give you a little inspiration and accountability to stay true to yourself.  Check it out here.

If you want to add a monthly Zoom Creativity Workshop and Wild Abandon art prompts and a secret FB page (optional)  to that, it's only $7 more. (A $25 value that keeps creativity in your life).  Check that here.

I'm not sure if I'm doing this right ...

“Know the rules well,
so you can break them effectively.” 
― Dalai Lama XIV

 

One of the first things I say at my creativity retreats is,

"There's no right or wrong way to do art or writing. 
If you think you're doing it wrong...go with it anyway!
You're not here to get a grade!
Instinct, intuition, and going rogue is better
than following directions that don't resonate with your creative urges.
Creativity is being an individual
not an ardent rule follower or teacher-pleaser."

One reason we do this is because we are so used to having to follow instructions in school and maybe at work, that we suppress our natural tendencies to go in a more individually inspired direction to follow our own voice. This is where not only our gold is... but where we develop the confidence that turns to passion... and passion makes perseverance easier.
Starting out, it's not uncommon to feel we must follow directions in a certain way.

The more confident you get the more freedom you'll feel but give yourself permission to find out the directions, then do what feels good to you.

Invariably, INVARIABLY... at my retreats someone will say, "I'm not sure if I'm doing this RIGHT."
Or when they show their work they start by saying, "I don't think I did this right but here's my work or here's what I wrote," which is usually amazing.
If you did ANYTHING... you are doing it right.  You're allowed to do something unique and different without making that announcement - at my workshops you won't be judged and if you are judged at someone else's workshop... RUN! 

Maybe if you find your own way you could say, "Here's how I interpreted the directions... and add silently or aloud, "I rock."

It's time to celebrate our different approaches instead of apologizing for them or making the interpretation of directions the reason we are special.

Your work is special whether or not you are following directions.  One of the most satisfying parts of the creative process is deepening the relationship with YOURSELF.

All best,

Jill

If you want to do something NOW:
Since it's a week of bunnies and chicks, use the following painting by Lucia Stewart upside down as reference, turn right side up and color in with paints, pencils, markers, or leftover Jell-o. 

Don't worry about getting it exactly RIGHT... your voice comes out when you deviate from the original. Happy Easter and Passover.

Oh, btw... I have three retreats coming up:

Omega in October

The Muse in Winter: Taos, NW for Writing  February 10-14 Link coming

and Italy! October 2024 - This will be password free shortly if not already.