Apr

15

When You’re Ready

April 15, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Years ago, I went to a therapist who used hypnosis. When our sessions were almost over, she would tell me, in her soft voice, to come awake, refreshed and energized, “when you’re ready.” When you’re ready. A simple phrase, but in that altered state of mind, it was powerful. I could, when I was ready, [...]

Jan

20

The Crafty Songwriter – Tip #1

January 20, 2008 | 2 Comments

[tutorial, songwriting] Show don’t tell by Carson A. Metzger Exercise #1: Practice writing a song where you avoid telling entirely How do you do this? Be descriptive. Avoid universal statements by grounding or dramatizing your song in the details of a particular scene, character, or relationship between characters. Avoid using “to be” verbs. Forgo clichés [...]

Oct

9

using our good sense

October 9, 2007 | 1 Comment

[-quick tip, practice-] A Quick Creative Practice ~simple habits can have profound impacts~ “The smell and taste of things remain poised a long time, like souls, ready to remind us…..” Marcel Proust, French writer. Whether you’re on a high energy creative roll or in a loggy slump, paying attention to your senses always makes good [...]

Aug

1

c-ART-egories

August 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment

[-warm-up, drawing-] Here’s a creative warm-up exercise that uses categories. Choose a category each day to draw in your journal. Divide your paper into 8 – 12 small sections. Decide on the length of time you want to devote to this. My suggestion is to start with no more than ten minutes. Quicker sketches will [...]

Jun

30

other-handed

June 30, 2007 | 5 Comments

[-journaling, c-mindfulness-] Next time you are writing in your journal, switch the pen to your other hand and write. I know. I know. You can’t write with your other hand. Never mind. Go on and do it anyway. Writing with our non-dominant hand can have interesting results because it confuses our brain. Part of that [...]

Jun

27

a pcq-qcp: bedside essentials

June 27, 2007 | 2 Comments

[-quick tip, practice-] A Quick Creative Practice ~simple habits can have profound impacts~ Keep a tablet and a pen or pencil on your bedside table at all times! DREAMS If you wake with a dream still in reach, jot it down immediately. If you want to fall back to sleep, don’t worry about transcribing the [...]

May

23

Problem-solving Drawings

May 23, 2007 | Leave a Comment

[-exercise, un-blocker-] by Nancy Waldman Do you feel creative but still have difficulty creating? Is something holding you back but you’re not quite sure what or why? Are you feeling blocked? Do you feel that your output is a trickle instead of a flood? Here is a exercise designed to explore these kinds of problems [...]

May

18

contour drawings

May 18, 2007 | Leave a Comment

[-r-mindfulness, exercise-] by Nancy Waldman Before beginning your creative work for the day, try this as a warm-up. It is an excellent way to access your R-mind and to lift your awareness from everyday mode into a heightened realm. This warm-up is a drawing exercise but it’s not just for visual artists. It will help [...]

May

11

MetAphorism – The Artichoke

May 11, 2007 | Leave a Comment

[-inspiration, photography-] metAphorism is a PCQ coined-word that means a simple, everyday thing, concept or event that points us in the direction of a deeper lesson. metaphor – figure of speech giving an implicit comparison: this is that. aphorism – concise statement of a truth or opinion. The metAphorism: The Artichoke Plant The Lesson: Things [...]

Apr

27

Making your Mark

April 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment

[-essay, self-evolution, process-] by Nancy Waldman I make marks, therefore I am. Durham Dr. & Center St. (Houston, TX) Originally uploaded by Mr. Waldo. Since the days men lived in caves, human beings have demonstrated the need to make their mark on this world. From those cave paintings, to the tick marks on a prison [...]

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