Tayari's Blog: The Artist's Way

Posted by TayariJones on January 12, 2007 07:51 AM
Filed under The Artist's Way

I'm in need of creative renewal. The goal of unpublished and undiscovered writers is to become published, to be discovered. I think that the goal of the published writer is to get herself back to spiritual place where she lived before she was published. The ideal space is to be in the middle zone between published and unpublished-- when you are working for the sake of the story, but feel confident that good things are just around the corner.

To get back to this place, I am doing The Artist's Way: A course in Discovering and Recovering Your Creative Self. I've done the course before, years ago, when I was in that golden zone, scribbling my heart out, trying to figure out what a novel was. This is when I wrote my *true* first novel, which was never published and never should be. The point of writing that novel was to figure out how it was done. I often look back at the experience of writing that book and I remember myself as an artist at work. You've all heard the story about this book, how I wrote it in a bathroom stall on my lunch hour at work, how I sunk my whole savings into the world first (and largest) laptop computer. I want to get back to that place, and so I am doing The Artist's Way. I invite any of you who are interested to do it with me.

The exercises and the book really help you identify what it is that is blocking or restraining your creativity. It also helps you realise the ways that you may be sabotaging yourself. I know that lots of smart people sort of bristle at the idea of "self-help" which is where this book is shelved, but don't let that be just one more reason why you don't take that first step, or that third step, or whatever step you're on. It really doesn't matter, the step number... most of us just need to take the NEXT step.

All you need to get started is the book, which is easily available at any bookstore. (I say, go to your local independent, but do whatever works for you.) The book costs about $15. You'll also need a large spiral notebook, or its equivalent. Also bring your true heart and your courage.

The course is broken up into 12 one-week lessons, so once a week I'll post about my progress and you can post about yours. Let's do this.

[divider]

There are 10 comments on "The Artist's Way". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.

Comment #1, by Michael Fischer [TypeKey Profile Page]

I think I might try this with you, Tayari. I've been needing something to jumpstart me lately; been in a rut. And it's so hard to get out of writer's rut!

January 12, 2007 08:50 AM

Comment #2, by Ladylee [TypeKey Profile Page]

"working for the sake of the story"...

That's a good thing, and the way it should be right? But what would you say to someone like me, who just likes to write for the joy of writing?? (or maybe I'm just being lackadaisical about the whole publishing process... I don't know if it is just me, but you writers seem to HATE the whole publishing process- it seems to crush the spirit or something to that effect.)

I think I will join in... I've been skimming a couple of writing "self-help" books right now, and they have done wonders for my writing. There's just so much that I don't know, you know?

I'm beginning to understand that a lot of this is pretty much mental... yeah, I think I'll join in...

(But I think you should provide the um, spiral notebooks;P )

January 12, 2007 10:00 AM

Comment #3, by Michael Fischer [TypeKey Profile Page]

Well, I'm definitely signing up now, because I just know that LadyLee will take us all out to lunch at the end, or that Tayari will throw a pizza party. Either way, I’ll get fed;-)

I used this book a few years ago, and it takes a similar approach:

http://www.emilyhanlon.com/Art_of_Fiction_Writing_Introduction.htm

I like the phrase, "How to Fall Down the Rabbit Hole Without Trying."

January 12, 2007 01:39 PM

Comment #4, by Judy [TypeKey Profile Page]

Count me in! I did The Artist's Way a few years back, and I'm still totally committed to the "three pages." Perhaps this time I can get just as committed to my real writing.

January 12, 2007 04:52 PM

Comment #5, by cheryl miner [TypeKey Profile Page]

I'm in. I've been writing but I need to write more. So I'm in.

January 12, 2007 09:49 PM

Comment #6, by Michelle [TypeKey Profile Page]

I'm in. I actually already have this book but haven't taken the time to work through the chapters. Maybe this will keep me on track.

January 12, 2007 09:57 PM

Comment #7, by Ladylee [TypeKey Profile Page]

Well, looka here, looka here...

There's a whole crowd joining you, Tayari, you Queen of Lurk City...

Looks like lunch will be on me once again!

Boy oh boy, when we all walk into McDonald's, and Michael Fischer roles up his sleeves and pushes the tables together so we can all sit together..

Watch out, now!! McDonalds will NEVER be the same! LOL!!

Just joking, Celie!

I bought my book last night, and I've been reading... I must say, this is a FANTASTIC suggestion. It looks good, and is helpful already.

January 13, 2007 11:35 AM

Comment #8, by Nurse Cook [TypeKey Profile Page]

I have never like being a nurse..ever. But, I have done so for the past 18yrs. Each job that I have endured has only propelled me into a deeper sadness. A sadness of a vision, a calling left unfulfilled. Some say I am a good nurse..and I will not argue w/ that. But, I have no passion for it. My true passion is in the kitchen..amoungst the heat, the smells, sights and noisiness of creation. I have dabbled with catering(loved it!)part time. You see, I have a son to care for, health insurance and a steady check are so important these days...but I am dying inside. I must step out on faith and pursue that which I am called to do. To allow the world to see the great creation the Creator(God) has place inside of me..so..I, too, will delve into this 12wk exercise in hopes that all that dares to inhibit me from reaching my dream, manifesting my ministry will be broken, smashed to smitherines..flung into outerspace never to be seen again. Watch out world..here I come..daring to be FREE.

January 13, 2007 08:02 PM

Comment #9, by Jackie [TypeKey Profile Page]

In October of 2004, I started The Artist's Way and followed it faithfully for the entire 12 weeks. To this day I still do Artist Dates. Each and every morning I wrote for those 12 weeks and it was amazing what came up. It felt good to see it on the page. The mind is amazing. That course showed me how to write first thought, to try things I hadn't done before like visit these amazing art musuems in my area and explore my own creativity. In the past, I have looked at various self-help books, but never actually did any of the exercises. Rather, I did them in my head, never committing to actually following any of the exercises. For the Artist's Way, I decided to take a chance and be active instead of passive. It was amazing. After the 12 weeks, I began to write regularly. For those of you who haven't done the course before, the payoff is in following though on every exercise and not skipping over any of it, no matter how uncomfortable or inconvenient it might seem at first.

January 14, 2007 07:18 AM

Comment #10, by Allie [TypeKey Profile Page]

It seems I'm being propelled into an unexplored area of my life...the Artist Way will be a twisting turning road to further expanding my mind beyond my current way of thinking.

Funny, I already own the Artist Way. To add to the "I guess I'm supposed to do this"...months ago a friend felt like she should send me her untouched Artist Way Creativity kit. Complete with incense, some discs [that are wrapped in pretty red tissue] are 3 decks of discs that "suggest some possible positive creative action". And a journal complete with inspiring phrases. The note says that the purpose of the kit for the user to be active and contemplative. I read this and I say HA! Fooled again! I had just learned from a friend about one of the early writers on contemplation - Thomas Merten.

2007 seems to be the year we are supposed to not only dream the dream but become the Dream. This is right were God would have us to be at this momment in time.

Transistion to transistion. Hmmm...


January 14, 2007 11:44 AM

Your Comments

You are signed in as (sign out)

Please keep comments relevant to the topic. Inappropriate and offensive comments may be edited and/or removed without warning. Comments found on this site don't necessarily reflect the views of Tayari Jones.

(optional)

(required)