the creative identity

Image from the awesome creative power house Keri Smith.

Good morning friends!

Recently I've been thinking about my creative life - how I can focus more, get myself out there more, keep the energy of Arvon going, and really make my writing the centre of my life. This year is all about action, after all!

A few months ago I was introduced to The Creative Identity and the force behind it, Stephanella, who is one inspiring lady. Like yours truly, she went straight from university into a hideous corporate job which flattened her creativity and left her feeling pretty uninspired and helpless. So many of us would just ride it out and be too afraid to chuck in the comfort and security of a regular paycheck to risk going for our dreams. Not Steph though. She quit the corporate world two years ago and started taking steps towards a life that is centred around her creative passions.

Today, Steph runs her web site The Creative Identity, and she's passionate about developing and encouraging writing talent, inspiring others and helping people discover and nurture their own creative self. She edits, proofs, is the ultimate agony aunt of writing advice (!), runs short story competitions, and even has a book coming out later this year called Slaughter is the Best Medicine. She's one creative machine!

It just goes to show what you can achieve when you're living your bliss. I think when you're a creative person, your creative identity is your identity. To deny yourself that only leads to great unhappiness, as I found out too. To have your art and your passions at the centre of your life, and to be living the life you always dreamed of is to truly know happiness!

I am so incredibly honoured and thrilled to be featured on The Creative Identity today. When Steph approached me, at first I thought she might have made a mistake, and when I realised she hadn't, all the usual insecurities kicked in - I don't have a book out, or a publishing deal, or an agent, or even a finished novel! My novel is still a Word document man! I wasn't sure whether I'd be able to offer any wisdom, as I still have so much to learn. But Steph's kindness has shown me that for all of us who love to write, and are trying to do something with it, a little encouragement can go a long way. It can be a long and lonely road otherwise. We all have the right to write, as Julia Cameron put it.

Her questions were so interesting and really made me think - about my direction, my influences, what I want to achieve and what sort of creative person I want to be. It was an absolute thrill to be interviewed by her. Thank you so much Steph! Do go and check it out and let us know what you think :)

Doing the Creative Identity interview has given me a real boost - and a boot in the backside too! I'm making lots of progress as I make creativity more central in my life. I signed up for 21 5 800 as you know, and last night I managed my 800 (maybe just under) words on the bus home. It's a little vignette that might feature in my novel later on. The novel itself is coming along well - I'm up to Chapter 6 now! I'm enjoying getting to know my character - I've been researching her star sign and done her astrological chart (thanks to Tor for all her Leo insights!) which has been great fun! The challenge is to not let this novel slide into autobiography - the foundations are in it, certainly, but that's not the project. It's all about getting creative!

I also got brave and submitted an article to a magazine in Australia about a month ago and I heard this morning they've accepted it!! **giant happy dance**

Just gotta keep the wheels turning now, friends.

Have a happy, inspiring and creative day!