What Do You Think?
Autumn Writing Prompts
13 Engaging Ways to Play with Your Writing Around the Fall Season
By Chris Dunmire
Going back to school. Harvest time. Colorful falling leaves. Corn mazes, acorns, pumpkins, scarecrows, Halloween and Thanksgiving. In the Midwest, Autumn is the time of the year when cooler temperatures sweep in over summer's waning heat and the growing season comes to full fruition before winding down to dormancy. Fall officially begins in September and runs through October, November, and into December, when the seasonal change next morphs into winter. Inject some seasonal inspiration into your creative writing with these fall-themed writing prompts, photos, and printable projects and reflect on the meaning of the season to capture the transforming magic in the air for this colorful, transitioning space in the year.
Elemental Muses
Earth, Creative Bedrock: Standing on Solid Ground
When I reflect upon the element of earth, this is what comes immediately to mind: The importance of allowing your creative work to be the foundation you stand upon. Inspiration is not just some flight of fancy. It is the air you breathe; the water you gulp down when you are thirsty; the bread that fills your belly. The process and products of your creative work will feed your soul, if you let them. They can fill your belly, too, providing an important source of income, and an influx of resources and contacts you wouldn't have access to otherwise.
Art of the Song
Creativity Corner with Musician and Author John Dillon
John Dillon is co-host and co-producer of Art of the Song Coffeehouse with his wife Vivian Nesbitt. Originating in Taos, NM, Art of the Song explores creativity and inspiration through in-depth interviews with makers of folk, jazz, roots and blues music. In this series, John discusses the history of creativity, creativity in the 21st century, inner and outer sources of creativity, and how we are all creative and have 'a song to sing' in our creative renaissance.
The History of Creativity | Creative Renaissance | Creativity in the 21st Century | We All Have a Song to Sing | Inner and Outer Creative Sources | Creativity is for Everyone! | Welcome to the Creative Renaissance
Creative Careers Interviews
John and Sandy Weber's Rattlesnake Crafts and Outdoor Museum
By Chris Dunmire
John and Sandy Weber left the 9-5 work-a-day world for a simpler life in the desert and created a crafty souvenir shop and outdoor museum just down the road a piece from the ghost town of Gleeson, Arizona, where visitors can enjoy an assortment of handmade items and experience a unique look into the past.
Despite its remote location, Rattlesnake Crafts gets its share of tourists, many coming from Tombstone (December through April is their busy season). It's been written about in various publications and featured on NBC TV's Today Show.
Spirited Woman Q & A
Interview with Comedienne, Actress, Storyteller Roz Browne
By Nancy Mills
Roz Browne makes me laugh. From the moment that I met her at her first LA Spirited Woman Workshop (she's now taken one more) the woman puts a smile on my face. An actress / comedienne / storyteller / writer / producer, she is a one woman band that has written, performed, and produced the very successful one woman show, "Fried Clams With Bellies." She is also a CPA. You got that right. Yes, during the day, she counts numbers. But at night, she counts laughs. A native of Boston, she's lived in Los Angeles ever since she graduated from USC in accounting. Nowin her forties, she says, "a high school teacher told me I can make a lot of money as a CPA. So that's what I did. Then I found out later that the teacher was just kidding."
Transform Through Creative Engagement
DaVinci's Genius Habits
Seeing the Interconnectedness in Everything
By Linda Dessau
As artists we delight in “playful, imaginary combinations” — we're in the business of creating things that didn't exist before. It's human nature to seek connection, and that we all do it, “physically, we seek health and affection. Emotionally, we yearn for a sense of belonging, intimacy, and love. Intellectually, we look for patterns and relationships, seeking to understand systems. And spiritually, we pray for Oneness with the Divine
Riding Lessons for Artists
Community: The Learning Value, Sharing, Tribe Togetherness
By Judy Wood
It is very helpful to be part of a like-minded community of people with the same goals and interests as yourself, whether we are talking art or talking riding. We are all social beings to a greater or lesser degree, and even the least social amongst us (that would be me) are willing to discuss art or horses/riding with others of our "tribe", sharing bits of knowledge and learning new insights from others. There will always be other students ahead of us in their pursuit, and those who are not quite at our level on the ladder, but we can all benefit from the fact that we are united in a common love of art/horses, and we can all teach each other something new about the topic at hand.
Tess Patalano at Reedsy announced Creativity Portal as "one of their best writing websites of 2019!" Listed at number 4 of 50 writing-related Web sites in their Writing Craft and Inspiration category among giants NaNoWriMo, Writer's Digest and Publishers Weekly, they write:
We appreciate Reedsy lauding Creativity Portal as "a wonderful hub for creative resources" where you can "find writing prompts, creative coaching, printable writing templates, and interviews with authors that will help nourish the right side of your brain." Thank you for the honor, Reedsy! We accept your award with gratitude and welcome your readers to enjoy our inspiring offerings!
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Books & Printables
Origami Money Plant Project
By Chris Dunmire
With fake fun printable 'Cashius monetarius' seed packet! As featured in Money: Everything You Never Knew About Your Favorite Thing to Find, Save, Spend, and Covet by Sandra and Harry Chonron, this unique origami money plant makes a delightful gift to create, but hard to give away! Learn how to make this truly memorable craft with my with easy-to-follow instructions in a fully-illustrated, step-by-step 23-page project book.
Prompting Exploration
As I was planning my trip two years after the Tsunami, I wondered if there was anything I could bring or anywhere I could volunteer, but the answer I got was simply to come and spend my money as that was the best help I could give the Thai people. It was a similar response from the Balinese: "Come, enjoy our land, spend your money, and tell your friends it is safe!"
Perhaps you have visited this emerald gem or seen the pictures taken during the travels of others. Perhaps you never really knew about this land until the Tsunami made it impossible not to know.
Mix your sense of sight with your feelings and create thoughts to share or to hide in your journal.
Journey with me into Thailand!
—Kristi TencarreLove of the Craft
Selling Short Fiction — Is it Easy?
By David Duggins
Q: I would like to start out writing short stories. Is it more difficult to sell a book of short fiction?
A: Until very recently, I would have said yes. My opinion was revised when I attended the Agents and Editors Conference in Austin last month. I was there to promote my coaching business and pitch my novel, Watershed. My agent of choice was Kimberly Cameron at Reece-Halsey. Ms. Cameron likes horror. Several other agents at the conference recommended I pitch the book as everything from "mainstream fiction with supernatural elements" to "dark fantasy." While my novel has an uncharacteristically upbeat ending, it's a horror novel.
Inner Voices of Creativity
Facilitate Creative Expression Through SoulCollage
By Anne Marie Bennett
Close your eyes and imagine yourself sitting next to your Creative Inner Child. What does she look like? What is she asking you for right now? If you've been denying her some expression of creativity for a while, can you get in touch with that Rebellious Inner Child voice that also lives inside of you? What does your Rebellious Child do to act out his anger at you when he's not allowed to express his abundant creativity? Find pictures in magazines that give image to your own inner Creative Child as well as your own inner Rebellious Child. Make SoulCollage® cards for both.