Love of the Craft - February 15, 2007 Newsletter

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February 1 NewZine

Highlight Picks

'Dr. Hope' And His Act Of Kindness
Get to know the "doctor" and his charitable contributions to society. See how he works with teachers so that they can get the needed supplies, books and other things for their students.

Tim Anders (Doctor Hope) has certainly had an interesting childhood. His mother was an actress and his father was a Catholic priest which indeed created problems with family life.

Get Unreal: A Writing Exercise
Are you a fiction writer? Do you struggle making your written word as real as possible? Does your story need to be realistic? Can this way of thinking squash your imagination? Part of the fun of writing a story is convincing your audience that the plot could happen within the framework of your book. Develop your Picasso within you!

From Destruction To Creations: Destroyed trees in city park carved into beautiful works of art. Devastation from fierce storms prompts something beautiful to be created out of the destruction. Sometimes, bad things can be turned into something useful, even beautiful.

Mourning the loss of these sacred trees was surely a dark time for Amboy Illinois residents, but it's what happened next—how the people chose to respond to the tragedy that makes my heart soar. It's an inspiring example of allowing the light of possibility to shine through the darkness of defeat.

See also the tree sculptures that were created.

Home : Newsletter Archives : 2007 : February 15 Issue

February 15, 2007 | Love of the Craft

Quoteworthy

"Pick up the pen. You will not fail." — Dave Duggins, "Start Write Now!"

In This Issue

February 2007 Journal
Featured Columns & Article Series
More What’s New @ the CP

February 2007 Journal

Introducing Dave Duggins and "Love of the Craft"
By Chris Dunmire, Publisher

Passionate, happy people. I know them from the moment I meet them. Their energy is high and they love what they do. They follow their heart's desire and each day inevitably unfolds with new, exciting opportunities. In tune with their callings, they are living a life filled with joy.

I'd like to introduce you to Dave Duggins, who is one of these passionate people. Dave is a professionally published short story author and the editor behind the colorful and melodramatic covers of Spacesuits and Sixguns, a contemporary pulp fiction magazine. In addition to that, he's a creativity coach and writing mentor who has joined the Creativity Portal community with his new writing column called "Love of the Craft".

You'll sense Dave's passion and enthusiasm in his inaugural columns, "You and the Page" and "Start Write Now!". He's also inviting "ask the writing coach" questions to answer in future columns. His desire to help educate and motivate writers at every level is both welcome and wonderful. I can't help myself when I say that I'm truly diggin' Duggins.

Let's see if we can keep Dave busy answering your questions about writing, publishing, and creativity. Submit your questions to him through his Web site form at voidgunner.homestead.com.

Chris Dunmire

Chris Dunmire
Creative Director and Publisher

P.S. Need a belated Valentine's Day Card? My Greatly ANTicipated Solution »

Featured Columns & Article Series

Creative Solutions & Inspirations from the Modern Day Muses
Muse Song, the Muse of Pampering, Encouragement and Good Company
By Jill Badonsky
In the process of teaching people how to break through creative blocks, I have observed that many of us have a problem putting ourselves first.

Inner Voices of Creativity
Patience: The Calming, Lovely Antidote
By Anne Marie Bennett
Patience can be one of the most difficult inner voices to hear in our lives. If you’re struggling with this on your own creative journey right now, try this...

Love of the Craft
You and the Page
By Dave Duggins
If you sit down with notebook in hand, pen at ready and the foremost thought in your mind is where you're going to submit the story when you've finished it, you've already failed.

Creative Careers in the Arts Interviews
An Interview with Author and Artist Kathy Rembisz
By Molly Anderson-Childers www.creativity-portal.com
Learn about the rewards of being a published children's book author and designer of a line of women's accessories.

More What's New @ the CP

Romancing the Cod
By Deanne Fitzpatrick
Where does rug-hooking artist Deanne Fitzpatrick pull inspiration from? Read the beautiful history and sensory-satisfying details behind her fish rugs.

Creativity — Just Like Riding a Motorcycle
By Quinn McDonald
Both are fun, dangerous, risky and make you nimble.

5 Lazy Excuses Why You Don't Create
By Dan Goodwin
What's REALLY keeping you from working your creative life?

Interview with World Traveler Marie Javins
By Nancy Mills
Marie spent one full year of her life traveling around the globe by public transport and then posting about it as she traveled on her popular MariesWorldTour.com.

Rubber Stamps in Wet Plaster Creates Dynamite Wall Designs
By Victoria Larsen
A super twist on “Raised Plaster Stenciling" that's easy to do and leaves a great impression.