Art-ing

I had heard so many great things about The Artist’s Way that I decided one day to just buy it and be done with it. (I am constantly in awe of how easy it is for me to buy anything on Amazon.com. SCARY EASY. One-click ordering should be against the law.)

I like the idea of writing Morning Pages, basically a brain dump first thing in the morning, to get all the crap that stands between me and my creative expression out of the way. The exercise calls you to just write. About anything. For 3 pages. No judgment. No limits. Anything. In actuality, I’ve done morning pages for many years, called “journal writing," just rarely in the morning but brain dumps nonetheless.

I remember many hours in coffee shops and the like, writing like mad about the latest inner (or outer) drama. Writing so fast and hard, that the words became more and more illegible.

Later, the morning pages became “blogging,” and really, I see my years of blogging (at times insanely frequently) as a conversion of journal writing into a more public space but brain dumps and processing (and writing practice) all the same.

Handwritten scrawls have become typing (although I do miss writing into a journal- will resurrect) but writing has remained my constant, my connection with my creative side. The right brain lives on.

The other thing the book calls for are Artist’s Dates and these are a bit more of a commitment that I’m not sure I can make right now. A date with myself to bring out the artist in me? With what time? Dude. I know it can be carved out, but seeing as I can’t seem to carve out time to do regular exercise (which I know will keep me from becoming demented later on), I’m doubtful that Artist Dates will happen soon. Also, as I sit on the precipice of a major life change (more on this later), my free time will not grow, let’s just put it that way. (No, not preggers. Stop thinking that! Noooo!)

Am I an Artist? I guess that’s another mind-hurdle for me. But, I think I have come to the point in my life that I can say, yes, I’m a writer. And, writing is my art.

Comments

[Thien-Kim]

You can totally do artist dates. They can be easy things like taking a walk around the neighborhood and check out the colors you see. Or going to an art show. I've been trying more artist dates too. http://www.mycupofcreativitea.com/search/label/artist%20date

[Rima]

You ARE a writer. It's hard to bring yourself to say it, though, isn't it? I don't know why. I remember Gail Collins (was it her?) recommending that book at EBWW and I'd been meaning to get it - went to the library and all the copies had been checked out. Must be good.

[flutter]

you are every ounce an artist.

[JD at I Do Things]

I've never heard of this book. It definitely sounds interesting and worth getting. My inner writer has been needing some motivation lately. Thanks for sharing!

[anna]

Agree with everyone else, you are a writer. A good writer. I really enjoy reading your blog entries, here and in MiM.
Waiting to read about your major life change. :)

[KC]

Thanks, guys.
Update Ratio: Days I have done Morning Pages to Days I have not done Morning Pages = 2:15

Artist Dates = 1 (see vacation post)

BUT, I did just buy a new journal so I still have hope.

[Sarah G]

I did Morning Pages for a while... kept describing different scenarios to kill my boss (what can I say? I write mysteries). I burned them in case he turned up dead.

:)

Fortunately, he got fired over a year ago, and I am much happier. I wonder if I would write happier stuff now, or if I would find someone new to target with my lethal ideas?