Original Impulse Blog

Free Write Fling Starts July 1st!

If you're looking for a cheap and fun way to get writing into your life on a daily basis, you'll want to join the Free Write Fling.
It starts on July 1st and your only commitment is to write for at least 15 minutes for thirty days straight. The prize: a writing habit that sticks and that you enjoy.
Oh, and if you write for all 30 days, you're eligible for two free coaching sessions with me to further your writing life. Sign up here.

Carving Out Time for Revision

In my job as a coach, the thing I do the most often is help people balance creative time with the rest of life. It seems that writing or other art making can often get squeezed into the margins of life, and I’ve got some tips and tricks to help make it easier.

And frankly, I’m like everyone else and need them, too! Especially now, while in Europe, where I am aware in every minute of all the wonderful things I could be seeing and doing away from the computer.

I came on this trip with the plan to run Original Impulse, make art in my journal, and develop my Creative Travel Tools into a corporate offering. I’m excited about all those things.

And then I got an agent, who suggested a revision of my novel. So now that’s on the creative plate as well.

I’m excited about that but in a different kind of way. Like it’s a long-term relationship that gives me deep satisfaction instead of a new and exciting romance.

How to make room for it all? I’ll figure that out when I get to Lisbon in July and settle in a bit. But for now, here is where I am with the novel revision.

Before I left Boulder, I met with several of the people who have helped me edit the book. I needed to brainstorm another element for the book, to enhance the plot. I figured that more minds would be better than just mine, and it was true. I got some great ideas and took a bunch of notes.

I had my manuscript printed and bound and brought it with me. I absolutely need to have a hard copy to see it and be able to make changes. I also printed the notes my agent made on revisions so I have a clear sense of what he is looking for. Then I brought a notebook in which I wrote notes from my brainstorming meetings.

During my weekend in Odeceixe, I had time to myself, no distractions, to develop my ideas. I reviewed my notes and started writing to generate more ideas. I find it easier to put pen to paper to develop my thoughts than just sitting and gazing at the wall.

I ran my ideas past one of my editorial team, then past my agent. They both added their two cents, which I always appreciate.

Just so you know, when you read the Acknowledgment page in books, writing a book is truly a collaborative effort. I can’t imagine doing this without help.

My plan is to have a plan for revision when I arrive in Lisbon, or to make one shortly thereafter. I have no idea how long it will take to revise, but I hope for a final draft before the end of the year. I’ve arranged to connect with a writing buddy back in Boulder, because I know how valuable it is to have support when you’re working on a project.

And then the grand revision will begin. But for most of June, the novel and its revision will be simmering on the back burner. I’ll let you know in July how I am juggling the novel with my other projects and with work.

How do you plan your revisions? What helps you to make time and space to create?

Copyblogger Post

One of my favorite blogs is Copyblogger, "Copywriting tips for online marketing success." Anyone who is working online should tap into this resource that goes way beyond simple copywriting. Blogger Brian Clark really has a grip on what's happening online. I was one of the members of his program Teaching Sells when I go the idea to come on my trip.
I had written an article about finishing projects specifically for Copyblogger, and submitted it to Brian right when I left. On the day I left, in fact. I recommend doing big and scary things when you're already distracted by a big and scary thing, such as leaving your life and moving to a new continent for six months. Once you're on one ledge, the other ledges feel minor.
I didn't hear back for awhile, and you can imagine my gremlin's pokings about it. My inner saboteur mocked me for thinking my writing was good enough to submit to a site devoted to writing. It pounced on the notion that my whole e-book, not just the article, was a flimsy joke.
Then one day I got the Copyblogger email and there it was, my article. The comments rolled in about how well-written and apt it was. In my Lisbon apartment, I ran around jumping up and down and screaming. I tried to explain to my Portuguese roommates, and while they understood what I was saying, I don't think they got the import of my win.
I didn't either, until I realized that my writer's ego had taken a bit of a blow when I learned I had to revise my novel. And that I had lost some confidence in my writing. This posting on Copyblogger was a big boost to my writing self.
So I'm doing what I coach others to do, really relishing this success. It's helping me believe in my craft again and it also makes me happy to know that my words have hopefully helped the Copyblogger readers who want to finish their own projects.
What recent successes have you had? Have you relished them thoroughly? We too often give short shrift to our wins. Yet celebrating them is the thing that helps us accrue others. Here's to your creative successes!

JK Rowling Inspires Harvard Grads

JK Rowling delivered the commencement speech at Harvard last week. Humor, grace, and inspiration. Check it out now and if you wish you had had this speech at your graduation, just take the advice and inspiration to heart for your next projects.

Creativity Portal Interview

If I had to nominate the best web site for creative people, I'd have to say that the Creativity Portal wins for best resource site to inspire creativity.

Chris Dunmire hosts the site, and does an amazing job of gathering resources and inspiration for artists and writers. I've posted a few articles on the site and this month I am honored to be the subject of an interview by Molly Anderson-Childers, a Colorado writer and artist.

Make yourself a glass of iced tea, sit back and visit the site. The best way to enjoy CP is to subscribe to the monthly newsletter.

Traveling and Working in Europe

It’s been amazingly simple to work while in Europe. I owe it all to Skype, which allows for practically free calls to the United States. Here’s how it works:

I paid $24 for a 303 (my Colorado area code) phone number. I also paid $24.00 for a subscription that gives me unlimited calls as well as voice mail. My clients call me at the 303 number and we have our usual calls. Many of them have remarked that the sound quality is even better. Imagine, talking to me from Lisbon or Paris or Amsterdam or Florence and it seems like I’m next door.

And it costs me much less than my old monthly phone bill of $100. If I return to the States, I might just stay with this system.

Of course, it all hinges on having good internet connectivity. That’s my primary concern when looking for a place. The apartment in Lisbon has an amazing connection and I’ve been able to post blog posts, do research, and have all my calls from my computer. Halleluiah!

When I go to Paris, my apartment there does not have internet yet. I’m hoping and praying to be able to siphon off wifi nearby. Apparently the city of Paris has wifi everywhere, but when I researched that, it seems like it’s only available at national buildings and parks and such. Let’s hope the signals stretch to my apartment on rue St. Sabin in the Bastille.

Other than a wee glitch with iCal when I arrived (it switched all my client hours) all the tech stuff has gone smoothly. I’m on email every day, responding to my clients and other emails that come in. It’s almost like I never left home.

Except now I work in the afternoons instead of the morning, and as mentioned earlier, I’m still trying to get a grip on this new lifestyle of working/traveling/exploring/making art.

But that’s the eternal challenge no matter where you are – balancing it all.

I’m amazed at what technology has made possible for me and my work. I always wanted to live in Europe but didn’t know how to make a living. Now I am thrilled that my business allows me to be anywhere where there’s internet.

My hope is that this is inspiring you to think out of your box. Connecting to technology, what is possible for you?

Share Your Expertise by Creating and Selling E-Books

(AND MAKE SOME $$)

with Alyson B. Stanfield . . .

Alyson of ArtBizCoach is doing a teleseminar to help people learn how to create e-books. Here's the scoop!

Teleseminar
Wednesday, May 28
3pm ET, 2pm CT, 1pm MT, and 12pm PT

Everyone is an expert at something.
What kind of knowledge do you have that others want?

Alyson Stanfield, founder of ArtBizCoach.com, is an expert on
e-books. She has sold various e-books successfully since 2002
and now she is going to tell you how she does it.

In this teleseminar, you will learn:

-- How to figure out what will sell
-- How to write and format your e-book
-- How to sell your e-book online: with or without a shopping cart
-- Why you might want to make your e-book (gasp!) FREE
-- Common mistakes to avoid
-- How to deliver your e-book to purchasers
-- How to provide a hard copy of your e-book
-- How to promote your e-book online

$27
includes MP3 recording of call and an e-book on creating and
selling e-books!

Get all of the details.

What It Is

The cartoonist Lynda Barry has a new book out called What It Is. It's a beautifully made book on how to jump start the writing and creative process.
Check out the article in the NY Times with its accompanying video.
I want i!
I'm inspired.

Moving Out of Your Comfort Zone

In this week's Impulses, I wrote about pulling up stakes and moving to a new place. It was all about the practical stuff. But what about the emotions and inner turmoil? Here are some tips to stay sane during a big shift.

Having these tools is one thing, putting them into practice is another. How to move out of your comfort zone when emotions want to get the better of you? Give yourself time, and listen to yourself when you really don’t want to stretch yourself. You are undergoing a big shift, transplanting yourself to a new home. You may want to create a system that will keep you active even though you don’t feel like it. For instance, promise yourself that you will explore a new place or part of town at least 4 times a week. Some structure or discipline can be a powerful advocate you’re your new life when you just feel like staying home or moving back to your comfort zone.

Give yourself permission to stay under the covers some days. Usually on Sundays I want to rest and not be so out there exploring and adventuring. When I give myself permission to sleep in or relax, I am much happier.

Another support system is your values. Knowing your core values, the qualities that make you unique, can provide tremendous support. Brainstorm a list of your values. For instance, values can include curiosity, adventure, learning, growth. What of your values have motivated this move? When you know your values, you can see where you are honoring them. Look at your values, consider this move and take note of what values you are honoring. This is a powerful acknowledgment of who you are at your essence, and it can be gratifying to know that you are living according to what’s important for you.

Stay in touch with friends back home while you make new friends.

Remind yourself that you have been courageous, adventurous and bold to undertake this challenge. Have fun, compassion and kindness for yourself as you grow into your new home.

Join me on the Journey Juju blog as I share my life out of my comfort zone, traveling in Europe.

What's Happening?

Why so quiet on this blog? Well, the action is all happening over at the Journey Juju blog. I'm on day six of my six-month adventure,

I plan to post on this blog about life as a creative adventure, but for the moment, the juicy stuff is being posted on the Journey Juju blog. Right now I'm in Lisbon. Tune in and join me on my trip!