Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Back to Basics


I haven’t exactly been silent on the subject of my father’s death. He was hospitalized on July 1st, passed on the 9th and we finally had his memorial this past weekend. According to his doctor, he lived 5 years beyond his expectancy. Consequently, his death was expected and hung morosely in the air for a long time. It is safe to say that for all of us, his family, July was a tough month.

One of the effects it had on me was to knock my muse, Shirley, on her tushie and I’ve been trying to nurse her along. Today, I went back to basics and I feel much better.

“Basics” for me is re-reading Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way.  First published in 1992, this book has helped many artists in any number of disciplines find their paths back to their inner artist. I know because I bring this book up often and so many creatives rave with me about how it helped them. I’ve given the book to several people over the years, especially those who were trying to find their muses for the first time.

What Cameron does in the book is layout a simple but effective plan for tuning in to your own music. The method requires only two activities of the reader – daily journaling and artists’ dates. Now, this will seem very simple to many, but if you read the book, you’ll be guided to the right way to journal for this quest and how to give yourself the freedom to mentally play. 

There are a number of questions to be asked. I still have the original answers I gave ten years ago tucked into the book, but I’m coming at it fresh this time. It will be fun to compare my answers from back then to those I give now.

At the time I purchased the book, it was $14.95.  I just checked Amazon and they offer the book and a workbook (which I’ve never had) for $19.57 and a Kindle edition for $13.99.  Either one is a bargain.

I hope anyone who is trying to find their way artistically will give this book a try. Shortly, after reading it, I wrote a short story and sold it to Woman’s World for $1,100. 

I’m just saying.

10 comments:

  1. Many things try to keep us from our talent-- and most of those things dwell within us. Sounds like a good book! If your writing and it's pretty good-- try "On Writing" by Steven King for a wake up call to being better. Kayhy, your writing is great, BTW!

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    1. Thanks for that tip, Dannie. I'll get it! I appreciate the vote of confidence.

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  2. I was beginning to worry about Danny so glad to see his comment. And as for that book - outstanding. There is something special about a book written from what one has learned from experience versus one written from one's intellectual understanding. Julia gave the world something of great value in taking her trials, learning from them and sharing that wisdom in such a humane yet no nonsense way. You'll be fine my dear friend. In fact, this may be a truly new starting point.

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    1. So glad you've read it. I think you're right about this being a new starting point. My perspective has changed a bit. Thanks, Christina.

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  3. It's so easy to get caught up in the social media world that we often ignore or at least overlook the basics. Your post hit me right between the eyes this morning. It came at a good time. Thanks.

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    1. I'm so glad! This has been the longest period in a while for me. So, back to Julia.

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  4. That Cameron book sounds excellent, thanks for pointing it out!Yes, it's hard to get out of mourning...Only work can help and for us writers, work is...writing! All the best and keep us posted!

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  5. I've recommended that book several times on my own blog - back to basics is always how I ground myself after a difficult time. Many congrats on selling that story :)

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    1. Thanks Jen! So glad to hear others love it as much as I do. The story was back in 2006 - and really started me off as a serious writer of fiction.

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