Tag: creativity

Bring May Flowers

We are five months into 2021 (nearly six!), so it is time for a midyear check in. Have I kept the resolutions I made in January? Have I created new goals?

Bring May Flowers

Writing and Sketching

I’m lumping every resolution involving writing and drawing into one category because I’d end up repeating myself otherwise. Here’s a quick summary of the lofty goals I had coming into 2021.

Drawing – get back to pre-pandemic levels of content (this includes High Castle projects).

Writing – finish writing Alice or Metropolis

I counted the number of drawings I posted on Instagram since January, and it is a tiny 24. Am I surprised by this? Nope. There is something to be said about the pandemic phenomenon popularly dubbed languishing. In my case, it was born out of the sameness of every day. It feels like a blur stretched across the vast expanse of space and time. Creativity thrives off of invigoration and the small, random happenstances that made pre-pandemic days stand out from each other. 

Am I fighting this? Of course, but I’m not going to lie and put on a fake smile and say it’s an easy battle. It’s not. But I’ll be damned if I don’t at least try, even if it means just writing a single sentence at a time or sketching a wobbly line. Tiny steps toward progress are much better than doing nothing at all. 

A Much Needed Morale Boost

Written two weeks ago – I feel that this is worth sharing

I went downtown today. It felt like venturing out into the wilderness. The adventure, even the mundane bits as I flashed my day pass to the driver and stepped onto the bus, boosted my mood and made me forget about everything for a while. I don’t know if it was enough to wake my creative senses, but it helped my overall state of being. I sincerely hope we have a swift return back to normalcy soon. 

Working Out

Oddly enough, this is the one goal that I’ve kept. How did that happen!? Is this some sort of parallel universe? I kid, I kid!

I didn’t think it was possible or that I’d have the motivation, but here I am working out on the elliptical machine three days a week and wanting to up the ante. 

The single most important tip I have for those thinking about picking up a workout routine is to daydream. You won’t feel the pain. Trust me. Live that extra life where you’re flying Starfuries, battling Thanos, or visiting the stars! 

MCR

Other News

Seriously Geeky Sundays

Heather announced last week that this month marks the end of Seriously Geeky Sundays. It had a great run, and I am happy to have taken part in it. I met some wonderful people, so I just want to thank Heather for creating it and coming up with new prompts every week. 

Heather’s Announcement

SGS: Creativity!

Looking at Heather’s wonderful prompts, I just realized that April is almost over. Is it really the last Sunday of the month already!? How did that happen? Even with quarantine it feels like it just zipped by! 

This week’s Seriously Geeky Sundays theme hits close to home, and I am super excited about it. As you all know, I’m an artist who loves to draw, paint, write, and sew! 

26th April – Creativity

What does creativity in fandoms/geeky interests mean to you?

EVERYTHING. Just look at Club High Castle! 

High Castle is the one fandom where I’ve felt like I’ve been allowed to flourish. The countless hours and dedication I’ve put into the things I’ve created has been appreciated by both fans and the cast and crew. I have never experienced anything like it, and it has genuinely made me happy over the years. 

I’ve been in other fandoms where art and things just slipped by unnoticed–not that I’m seeking attention, but knowing that there are people out there who enjoy my work is an amazing feeling and a strong motivator to continue creating! 

What is the most creative storyline you’ve come across?

Well…hmm…I don’t know…. 😉 *Looks around at blog* I am a grasshopper through and through! 

Who is your favourite arty/creative character?

Frank Fink (High Castle), Pam (The Office), Data (Star Trek: TNG), Tora Ziyal (Star Trek: DS9), Loki (Marvel Movies) – Yes, he is creative, and I am putting him on this list! Just think of all the schemes he does and his artful mastery of magic!)

Who is your favourite quirky character?

I’ve thought about this one, and I have to say Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter.  She didn’t care what others thought and wore her quirkiness like a badge! I always love characters that think outside of the box. Box? What box?

Which fictional innovative invention do you wish existed in real life?

Replicators from Star Trek. It would solve so many problems and make life so much easier. Whatever you want to eat beamed onto a plate within seconds? Sign me right up! Oh, and let us not forget about the fact that to “do the dishes” all one needs to do is place their dirty dish into it and say, “recycle.” 

What upcoming fandom are you most looking forward to?

I honestly don’t know. With High Castle finished and done, I don’t feel the urge to jump to another fandom so quickly. I am not ready to let go. Since quarantine, I haven’t been paying much attention to what’s coming out. I know that everyone is playing Animal Crossing, and that’s about it, ha ha!

Creativity, Meet my Nemesis, Reality

I’ve been thinking about the creative process a lot lately, so I decided to do a seven part series on it–helpful ways you can tap into your inner creative genius to produce something awesome. Whether you’re an artist, a writer, a graphic designer, or into arts and crafts, I hope you’ll find this series useful.

Why am I doing this all of a sudden?

Let’s just say that I recently had a run in with reality. I jumped headfirst into a tub of ice and got a painful reminder of how rough blindly leaping into unknown waters can be. Yes, I should have known better. I should have done my homework, and I shouldn’t have laid a first draft bare like that. My feelings = ouch.

Lesson learned.

Image originally found on Wikimedia Commons – Public Domain

But it wasn’t for nothing. It jolted me awake as if I had just guzzled down a giant can of Monster before pulling an all nighter. I am the typical, excitable American. We have a grave weakness for letting that hot rush of excitement cloud our judgment. It makes us quick to blurt out and broadcast our accomplishments only to regret it ten minutes later because we forgot something or we didn’t think our amazing plan through.

And so, I’ll be sharing my own pitfalls–all in the name of helping my fellow creative geniuses!

1. Plan Your Genius
2. The Three Ps of Making Something Awesome
3. So Edits, Many Drafts, Such Work
4. Are You Ready for Feedback?
5. You Can Haz Nerf Bat
6. What to do Next
7. Post, Publish, and Share the Hell Out of it