Great post, Martha! What I loved the most was looking at what you cut out! My only rule is that if I don't feel like drawing/writing/baking, I don't, and without apology or explanation.
P.S. I also love that your daughter bought books on the cheap and your family cut them up. Yes! I love thrift stores and am a sucker for beautiful fabric, whether it's a tablecloth or haute couture. I cut it up and make a rug or two. Some may be shocked that I cut up something that originally retailed for more than I spend on a month's worth of groceries, but reuse, repurpose, and enjoy is my thrift store-find rule.
I fully agree about not apologizing or rationalizing or explaining when you are creatively at rest (though our busy imaginations may continue, lol). I want to start thrifting more. Maybe my non-writing New Year’s resolution?
Love this Martha. I remember showing you a mini book I'd made about my inner writing critic. I love this spin and you've inspired me to make a new one with the new and improved rules I'm working on. xo
What a great family gift idea. I do a lot of altered book collaging and love the feeling of being creative (when I've never seen myself that way). You used it as inspiration and fun - sounds perfect!
I barely qualify as a creator (hey, I made a Zine, too!). But one thing I have learned from Martha is that creativity is not something that just happens to you. It’s a feedback loop connected to doing the work of creating. Somebody should write a book called The Habit of Creativity.
"Cut whatever bores you," is an excellent one!
So often we think we “need” something boring!!
Great post, Martha! What I loved the most was looking at what you cut out! My only rule is that if I don't feel like drawing/writing/baking, I don't, and without apology or explanation.
P.S. I also love that your daughter bought books on the cheap and your family cut them up. Yes! I love thrift stores and am a sucker for beautiful fabric, whether it's a tablecloth or haute couture. I cut it up and make a rug or two. Some may be shocked that I cut up something that originally retailed for more than I spend on a month's worth of groceries, but reuse, repurpose, and enjoy is my thrift store-find rule.
I fully agree about not apologizing or rationalizing or explaining when you are creatively at rest (though our busy imaginations may continue, lol). I want to start thrifting more. Maybe my non-writing New Year’s resolution?
I 100% support thrifting, especially because while my eyes are busy searching through the lot, my mind is busy. As you said, "imaginations continue"!
Love this so much!!
I write.
Nonfiction, narratives, memoir essays, poetry.
Rules:
I generally begin composing with the closing as inspiration (that's just me), and it works.
A year later the work will look like used cat litter. No matter it's published.
I read the whole thing out loud before I call the proofreading final.
I always want to start with knowing the end, but so often I don’t know the end! Cat litter = funny! I get that!
Love this Martha. I remember showing you a mini book I'd made about my inner writing critic. I love this spin and you've inspired me to make a new one with the new and improved rules I'm working on. xo
I remember that book! I find rules, despite their reputation, flexible on a year by year (sometime project by project) basis.
What a great family gift idea. I do a lot of altered book collaging and love the feeling of being creative (when I've never seen myself that way). You used it as inspiration and fun - sounds perfect!
Thanks, Leanne! It was fun to do it together. Sounds to me like you ARE creative!!
I barely qualify as a creator (hey, I made a Zine, too!). But one thing I have learned from Martha is that creativity is not something that just happens to you. It’s a feedback loop connected to doing the work of creating. Somebody should write a book called The Habit of Creativity.
Yes! Energy begets energy.