About this column
Beginning with this seventeenth episode of the podcast, I’m changing up the format a bit. Rather than straight interview-style shows about one person’s creative business experience, I’m moving toward a more conversational, collaborative, topics and issues-focused format. Also, many shows will feature two guests at once to really rock out the varying perspectives on the lives we live when we choose creative entrepreneurship as our life’s work. I hope you dig this new format — and can tell the difference! — as my guests and I lean into it. I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment after this post and let me know what you think!
Alison Gresik
On today’s show, I’m chatting with Alison Gresik from Gresik.ca about artistic identity, building a life around one’s creative work, and the importance of community in getting our artistic work done. Alison’s a creativity coach for accomplished writers and artists. She has lots to say on this topic and is launching something really cool that’ll help us move toward an art-committed life. Listen in.
Here are links to the people and ideas we talked about:
- Alison’s pillar post on creative labyrinths
- Shatter the Mould creative coaching for accomplished writers and artists
- Novel Doctor
- Louise DeSalvo
and . . .
-
Alison’s Hours for Art Telethon – I’ve made my pledge. Will you make yours?
Listen in as we talk about not getting addicted to feedback from readers/beholders, how getting clear on your right people makes all the difference to your biz, and keeping your artistic identity at the center of your life.
Right click here and select Save Link As to download the podcast to your hard drive, or left click to play in-browser.
P.S. Have feedback for me or Alison? Let’s talk in the comments. :)
Hello, you.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
What’s up, Abby?
I like the new format. After 16 episodes, what inspired it?
I appreciate Alison’s point about writing not getting the social or financial affirmation that other things get, because we’re only responsible to ourselves for getting that creative writing done.
Thus, we often don’t give ourselves the permission to create the space and time in our lives to write.
“When you do one thing, it’s going to push other things aside.” – Alison Gresik
Like you, Abby, I’m as passionate about marketing as I am about creative writing. So putting creative writing at the center might continue to be a pendulum swing for me, as opposed to permanently placing creative writing at the center.
Said another way, everything has it’s own season.
Growing a small business is like having an infant… it can’t stand on its own without parents . It needs 24/7 attention. But when it becomes a toddler, the parent can leave the room for 10 or 15 minutes, versus 10 or 15 seconds. :)
As one’s business gets more self-sufficient, it could be easier for business+creative personalities to give more to creative, and less to business.
Now the creative side is an infant that needs nurturing, too! LOL!
They’re like twins – the innocent one (creative) and the wildchild that demands all the attention (entrepreneurship). :D :D tee-hee.
Ah well.
Tactics like MORNING PAGES are good ones to give the “good child” (creative writing) some space.
WALKING vs DRIVING is also a great one, for multiple reasons. :)
But I do relish my (alone) driving time. I daydream while I drive, and get creative.
The other thing is having an accountability buddy. As both you and I have discovered, having an accountability buddy for business, helps us get through the yucky but important business tasks we normally would procrastinate on.
How about if one had the same for creative writing? :)
Great interview – thanks Alison and Abby.
I shall try to work the word “Labyrinth” into my conversations all day today.
And I shall blame Abby and Alison. :)
Bolaji.
Hi Bolaji! Such thoughtful comments about our conversation, thanks!
That’s great to hear you’re writing children’s books too.
I agree that everything has its own season. For me, putting art in the centre of my life means that I look at everything I do through the lens of a writer. So while I’m putting intense hours into my coaching practice, I’m doing it in service of my own and others’ identity as artists. So that I can create the lifestyle that allows me to pursue writing the way I want to, and so that others can do that to. Even when I’m not actively working on a manuscript, I think of myself first and foremost as a fiction writer, and that shapes my choices about what’s important.
And you’re right, having an accountability buddy is so valuable! I have a standing weekly appointment with mine, and we spur each other on to get a lot done, as well as encouraging each other through the rough stuff.
Hey, Bolaji! —
I like your metaphor about interests being like infants. I would also say that my own creative writing feels like a young teenager to me — she sits there, a bit sullenly, staring at me in adoration but when I make eye contact she gets a bit huffy. She wants attention but doesn’t know how to ask for it. And when I can get her to open up — she’s full of stories and humor and detail that I never saw coming. :)
So cool to know that you’re a fiction writer, too.
Oh, and about what inspired the style shake-up after 16 episodes: I realized that what I’m drawn to in listening to other people’s podcasts are a bit less biographical in thrust and more topical/philosophical. Still grounded in actual life with real world examples, but presented in a way that encourages even more listener reflection and self-application.
By the way,
I’m REALLY into writing kids’ stories as well – it’s my passion (above and beyond marketing).
I’ve written about 12 stories, and I plan to self publish via Lulu.com and CreateSpace.com in teh next month or two.
I’d love to know how I can support Alison’s writing for kids!
Bolaji.