“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.” ~ C.G. Jung

February 16, 2018
When taking on a creative project like Maya Awakens, I found myself pretty much alone. The world was in turmoil at the time with the Ebola virus and terrorist groups causing threat and mayhem. I figured that hiding out in the rural backwoods writing a book just might be a good idea. With my commitment to creating the Stone House Diaries blog as an introduction to my book idea, I got to work.

I love books that will support me during learning and creative times. I gather authors together like a group of friends to advise and answer essential questions. When writing Maya Awakens, I went through a pile of authors who generously offered a wide range of suggestions and motivational tips. I don’t know if I could have done it otherwise and it’s one reason I write books hoping to pass on the favor.

September 18, 2014
Yesterday I brought home my iMac and set up my writing space. I made lunch, took the pups for a photo op walk at the Genesis pond, sat on the porch (glorious day), and read the next chapter of The Artists Way. I followed this reading with some of Joseph Campbell’s, The Power of Myth, then organized my photos and story ideas for the blog.

I remembered that this was my ritual when writing the Care2 blogs. I had a deadline I needed to meet twice each week. That was stressful but productive. It was my writing time, and it worked for me. My goal now is to sit down at 3:00 PM and work until 6:00, longer if possible.

I need to get used to the reality that writing is now my life. Every day I sit and write even if I have nothing to say on one subject, I will have something to say on another. I can begin with a stream of consciousness and edit later. I can edit photos and learn publishing techniques. It will take time, so, for now, don’t quit my day job.

November 21, 2014
Reading Twyla Tharp’s book, The Creative Habit, Learn It and Use It for Life. I add Twyla to the group of artists I read to inspire my creative process. I have a brilliant support group with me at the moment: Julia Cameron, Twyla Tharp, Wayne Dyer, W.L. Wing, Carolyn Myss, Joseph Campbell, Ted Andrews and Anodea Judith. I am making my way back from no possibility with the help of these writers who cared enough to go through their creative issues to bring extraordinary work to the world. How lucky are we all?

What I find is that my work away from writing is a huge distraction. All the while, in the back of my mind, I am contemplating what the next blog will be, what app to use to edit photos, should I buy a new iPad and when can I find time to finish the WordPress course. Come Monday I can take some time to print mock-up photos of the storybook. This morning I will post a blog by Seamus, but for now, it’s time for a walk with the pups.

March 12, 2018
The journey continues. I will perform the first reading of Maya Awakens on Friday, March 30, 2018, at 70 South Gallery in Morristown, NJ. I will also discuss how I photographed the images using an iPhone 6, edited the photos using apps on my iPad Air 2 and finalizing the manuscript in iBooks Author before publishing through the iBooks store.

Yes, there are 1001 ways to market your book, and I had to find the platform that works best for me, meaning the one I can and will devote my time to doing consistently. As I make my way through the list of possibilities I can report back to you here as to the results I am having. So stay tuned.