The Artist's Way: the warm up

I am delighted that so many of you have signed up to walk the Artist's Way with me. (over 250 of us!)

I love The Artist's Way and always name it as one of my top five life changing books. When I first completed Julia Cameron's course, it affected me profoundly. My creativity - always one of my top values - seemed to explode. Yes, I started to write more creatively - I wrote a screenplay, started a novel, a blog and about three new projects but it was more than just that. The Artist's Way helped me think and create from a different paradigm. The Big Peace was directly inspired by this course.

In short, it changed my life. Let see if changes yours.

Let's get started.

This week, let's read the introduction and basic principles so we can start next Monday on week 1.

 I have recommended this book to all my clients and some get very alarmed by the use of the 'God' word but as Julia Cameron explains - you don't have to believe in God or have any kind of spiritual beliefs to do this course. YOu just have to do the work and exercises and suspend judgement.

Cameron suggests that we create a weekly schedule to work through this book. Shall we set a schedule now?

HOw about I post instructions/comments every sunday night and we endeavour to read the chapter and complete the exercises by the following sunday. I will blog on my thoughts and you can post your thoughts and comments as we go along and support each other.

Cameron suggests we spend about an hour a day doing some work on this course - perhaps one or two exercises a night? But she doesn't expect us to do all of them - just the ones that appeal to us and those we most strongly resist.

Homework for this week:

Read Introduction and Basic tools chapters.

Get your head around the morning pages (one habit I still have to this day...but they are usually my 'evening pages) 3 pages of long hand writing - just vomitting out your thoughts on to the page.

"The morning pages are the primary tool of creative recovery," says Cameron.

So try it out this week.

The other exercise is to book your first artist's date. Two hours weekly dedicated to a play date with your inner artist. Last time I did this course, I was so resistant to this, I had to work myself up to two hour slot - starting with a 10 minute artist's date. 

Finally, this week, sign your contract. 

I, .............., understand that I am undertaking an intensive, guided encounter with my own creativity. I commit myself to the 12 week duration of the course. I, ..............., commit to weekly reading, daily morning pages, a weekly artist's date and the fulfillment of each week's tasks.

I, ............., further understand that this course will raise issues and emotions for me to deal with. I, ......................, commit my self to excellent self care - adequate sleep, diet, exercise, and pampering -for the duration of the course.

 

----------------------------------

(signature)

 

___________

(date)

(Perhaps print this out and stick it on your fridge)

Ok.....we're off the starting blocks.

Comments

[Sam]

Hello,

Thought I'd sign the contract here to make it a public commitment. This will be my third time through the book - each time has been a launch forward. I've managed to mislay my copy so I've just ordered another second hand in time to start next monday.

Sam

[Jules]

Can you elaborate Sam? I'm intrigued. What do you mean by a launch forward? It's a large undertaking and I'm committed but would love to hear what benefits you experienced I'd love some form of forward launch. Jules

[Sam]

Hi Jules, really I mean psychologically but I'll elaborate. The first time I read the book (07) I'd been trough a fairly trying period (small kids/ marriage and money probs.) and I felt terribly guilty taking time out for 'selfish' creative ambitions but working through it helped give me the permission I needed to even think about taking some time for myself to pursue my creativity. My first step was to take a short course in film making and generally to start taking back a little time for myself.
I picked the book up again a year later and in a different place (single but happier!) but still lacking the confidence to change my life to do things I actually want to do. During this read through I did a more hands on film course and this time I made contact with several like minds.

To date I've rewritten a short story as a screenplay and I'm hoping to shoot it next month on a friends camera. I thought it was a good time to re-read it again to keep my confidence up and fight the gremlins of 'who-do-ya-think-you're-kidding'. I also think it'll be great knowing there's a whole bunch of us reading it at the same time and not feeling its a guilty secret :-)

Off we go then...
Sam

[Suzy Greaves]

oooo, sam, have you heard of blake snyder's save the cat. I did a course with him just after reading the artist's way last time. he's brilliant - a real genius and his methods are very practical and do-able. I've actually written a screenplay now!

[jennifer :: themakelounge]

Wondering, Suzy, is there any way to get the posts for the Artist's Way journey emailed rather than RSS feed? I follow so many blogs via RSS I'm afraid I might miss yours!

[Jules - www.julesritter.com]

Thank you Sam, firstly for your honesty which makes your story authentic and all the more appealing, and for setting the bar high. Film school? I'm impressed. Off we go indeed. Nice to know there is a hand to hold along the way...
Suzy I'm going to google Blake Synder if you recommend him/her.
Jules

[Sam]

Jules, thanks, its looks more impressive written down!
Suzy, thanks for the tip - I think that will be next on the reading list, sam