I was feeling a deep and intense lull in my creative spark. More doubt than anything at risk of sparking 🫠 but, as it always does, that faded and now the spark feels present. My experience is a lot of what’s been reflected here-following natural rhythms (sometimes it’s simply hormonal for me), listening when the spark arrives and trusting it will come back when it’s ready.
What a lovely collection of sparks - I’m honoured to be in such company, Amanda. Grateful for your questions, which were spark generators par excellence!
Congratulations on participating in the online learning event, Amanda! And on accepting the invitation and working with your own particular gifts in a way you can contribute. I know it'll be enriching for all. And thank you again for the great interview for Cave of the Heart. I'm honored to be part of your series!
I have a few author friends and have had such discussions on more than one occasion. I have witnessed every one of them agonizing over their writing (both process and progress or lack thereof) and the relief and pride when their labors are complete. To be honest I can't imagine putting myself through such and am utterly amazed to have watched a couple of them repeat this process time after time after time. That creative spark seems to be both a curse and a blessing. Am I wrong?
I love reading the different ways these writers have interpreted 'creative spark'. I love, love, love that term, too, and I can't thank you enough for including my own answer. It still says what I wanted it to say! ❤️
Now that its 7am, not 1am, I’m thrilled to see YOU Amanda B. Hilton being appreciated and included in the online learning event. I wish you and the attendees all the best for a stimulating and successful day. I won’t be able to attend. I don’t have the spare attention / energy for an online learning event. Sadly, online is not a synonym for accessible. The disability tax also applies: watch live for free or pay for longer term access. Everything costs more once you’re disabled. This is in no way about how valuable the material you’ll offer is. I’m a paid subscriber who values your work. Go conquer the world 🙏🏻
Thanks Amanda. Everything doesn’t have to be for me. But its nice when the opportunity is (really) there. But you are not in charge of everything you’re involved with.
I'd really love the gift of your presence and attention at the summit. I wonder what a good solution would look like here. Is that something you'd be willing to share with me (either here or over email)? xo
I think that is 5am on 28 for me, so doable. As I’m a subscriber I will register and keep my fingers crossed I have enough spoons that day to come to your live 🤞🏻
"What unique rituals or habits do you have for capturing and developing new ideas?"
I can't remember ever being short on ideas. I'm not vouching for the quality of my ideas, but they always exist. Lately, I've been thinking that I could use my tarot cards to generate ideas if I ever got stuck, but I haven't actually tried it, yet.
"How do you balance the instinctive and analytical aspects of your writing process?"
Oy. This question is so much harder. How do I let go of my death-grip on control and be a little freer? Do I let myself be weird and not fully explain the weird? Do I let things be grammatically incorrect (WAAAAAAAH!!) sometimes? Do I allow inefficiencies in my language? Yes, yes, and yes. That's how I've been doing it. This is about self-trust. It's like when Luke let's go of the controls and decides to use the force instead. Sometimes, it gets better results.
OK, first … you should definitely play around with your tarot cards. And yes … use the force, Amy!! In a lot of ways I think the work of life for us is learning how to play in the sandbox. 🙃
I've been been trying out Obsidian as a way to capture and capitalize on my ideas. It's been great so far. Previously I was a OneNote power user, but categorizing my notes got really cumbersome. I love how I can use links and tags in Obsidian to see all the interesting relationships between my ideas.
I’m always fascinated to hear the tools people have tried to use! I haven’t found one that works for me well enough to be worth the trouble of redesigning my system. So I just embrace the makeshift idea-to-Notes-to-Google-doc-to-calendar-to-published process I have. 🙃
I read something every day to source for ideas. From storytelling 101 to wayfinding, I read a variety of topics. It helps me make unexpected connections between concepts. I also discuss with friends, family and my partner to make sense of these connections.
Looking forward to it all Amanda!!
I was feeling a deep and intense lull in my creative spark. More doubt than anything at risk of sparking 🫠 but, as it always does, that faded and now the spark feels present. My experience is a lot of what’s been reflected here-following natural rhythms (sometimes it’s simply hormonal for me), listening when the spark arrives and trusting it will come back when it’s ready.
Trusting it will come back when it’s ready — such a powerful exercise in voice, too. 🧡🧡🧡
What a lovely collection of sparks - I’m honoured to be in such company, Amanda. Grateful for your questions, which were spark generators par excellence!
Yes, indeed. :) :)
Congratulations on participating in the online learning event, Amanda! And on accepting the invitation and working with your own particular gifts in a way you can contribute. I know it'll be enriching for all. And thank you again for the great interview for Cave of the Heart. I'm honored to be part of your series!
Thanks for the encouragement, Susan! I appreciate having you in my reading ecosystem. ☀️
I have a few author friends and have had such discussions on more than one occasion. I have witnessed every one of them agonizing over their writing (both process and progress or lack thereof) and the relief and pride when their labors are complete. To be honest I can't imagine putting myself through such and am utterly amazed to have watched a couple of them repeat this process time after time after time. That creative spark seems to be both a curse and a blessing. Am I wrong?
Muses aren’t always friendly. I’d imagine your friends decided they were productive enough to keep on going. ;-)
I love reading the different ways these writers have interpreted 'creative spark'. I love, love, love that term, too, and I can't thank you enough for including my own answer. It still says what I wanted it to say! ❤️
These descriptions of sparks are comfortingly familiar.
Now that its 7am, not 1am, I’m thrilled to see YOU Amanda B. Hilton being appreciated and included in the online learning event. I wish you and the attendees all the best for a stimulating and successful day. I won’t be able to attend. I don’t have the spare attention / energy for an online learning event. Sadly, online is not a synonym for accessible. The disability tax also applies: watch live for free or pay for longer term access. Everything costs more once you’re disabled. This is in no way about how valuable the material you’ll offer is. I’m a paid subscriber who values your work. Go conquer the world 🙏🏻
Thank you for your candid reflections here and your encouragement, Michelle. You’ve given me some things to think about.
Thanks Amanda. Everything doesn’t have to be for me. But its nice when the opportunity is (really) there. But you are not in charge of everything you’re involved with.
I'd really love the gift of your presence and attention at the summit. I wonder what a good solution would look like here. Is that something you'd be willing to share with me (either here or over email)? xo
Thank you for going above and beyond. Let me think about it.
Do you know what time you are on? Its likely the middle of the night Downunder, but we may be lucky.
My interview will air at 12 p.m. pacific time. ☀️
I think that is 5am on 28 for me, so doable. As I’m a subscriber I will register and keep my fingers crossed I have enough spoons that day to come to your live 🤞🏻
"What unique rituals or habits do you have for capturing and developing new ideas?"
I can't remember ever being short on ideas. I'm not vouching for the quality of my ideas, but they always exist. Lately, I've been thinking that I could use my tarot cards to generate ideas if I ever got stuck, but I haven't actually tried it, yet.
"How do you balance the instinctive and analytical aspects of your writing process?"
Oy. This question is so much harder. How do I let go of my death-grip on control and be a little freer? Do I let myself be weird and not fully explain the weird? Do I let things be grammatically incorrect (WAAAAAAAH!!) sometimes? Do I allow inefficiencies in my language? Yes, yes, and yes. That's how I've been doing it. This is about self-trust. It's like when Luke let's go of the controls and decides to use the force instead. Sometimes, it gets better results.
OK, first … you should definitely play around with your tarot cards. And yes … use the force, Amy!! In a lot of ways I think the work of life for us is learning how to play in the sandbox. 🙃
Yay! So excited, Amanda! 🎉
I so appreciate you and what you're putting into the world and this community! <3 <3
I've been been trying out Obsidian as a way to capture and capitalize on my ideas. It's been great so far. Previously I was a OneNote power user, but categorizing my notes got really cumbersome. I love how I can use links and tags in Obsidian to see all the interesting relationships between my ideas.
I’m always fascinated to hear the tools people have tried to use! I haven’t found one that works for me well enough to be worth the trouble of redesigning my system. So I just embrace the makeshift idea-to-Notes-to-Google-doc-to-calendar-to-published process I have. 🙃
I read something every day to source for ideas. From storytelling 101 to wayfinding, I read a variety of topics. It helps me make unexpected connections between concepts. I also discuss with friends, family and my partner to make sense of these connections.