Moonlight Writers Club podcast

51:20

We are BLESSED to welcome the brilliant and magical Francesca Lia Block to the podcast. She is the author of House of Hearts from Rare Bird Lit as well as The Thorn Necklace , Dangerous Angels: The Weetzie Bat Books , and many more. FLB takes us behind the scenes on her creative process for this novel and how she connected the desert, mythology, and her own imagination into the tale. In addition, she has solid advice on completing structural revisions, balancing "dreaming" the writing with following a form, and the spacious and creative mindsets you need to stop worrying about time and trust the process. You can order House of Hearts AND it's pink vinyl audio version now, and find out more about Francesca's books and teaching offerings at francescaliablock.com…

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10. Make Creative Choices that Match Your Values with Eli Steffen 1:04:25

3 years ago1:04:25

1:04:25

No "shoulds" here! In the Season One finale, my guest is Eli Steffen, a skilled multimedia artist and creative unblocking facilitator whose practice and teachings support creatives to define their artistic voice and values, understand the importance of context and external circumstances, and follow their impulses in creative work. Eli sheds light on why we get hung up on the expectations we try to live up to with our art--from economic viability to taste--and how we can remove judgment from our artistic processes. We're also talking brass tacks about where to be gentle in places you may tend to push or just avoid. ASK MOLLY Turns the tables on you. Guest Bio: Eli Steffen (she/her) is a speculative artist working in the fields of performance, writing, sculpture, facilitation, and curation. Her work focuses on the intersection of communal narratives, cultural norms, and systemic violence. As a facilitator, Eli believes deeply in the power of art and works with people to unlock their creativity and bring forth their artistic voice. Heavily influenced by queer art lineages, Eli’s artwork melds critical theory, camp, and drag in participatory performances that question audiences’ relationships to each other, power, and the state. elisteffen.com…

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9. Enjoying the Practice of Writing 39:23

3 years ago39:23

39:23

We're in the final chapters of The Artist's Way, but there's still time for new metaphors! Find out why writing is like baking, painting, and space travel, as well as the definition of a "spiritual shark." We are integrating and celebrating the lessons of this journey. This one is filled with acceptance, permission, nurture, protection, and fluffy heated towels. Come along for one more reminder that you cannot be tamed. This episode pairs with Weeks 11 & 12 of The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron Ask Molly answers the question, "Where do I begin?" Find out more at mollythorntonwrites.com…

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8. Resilience Doesn’t Run on Will Power 49:02

3 years ago49:02

49:02

Let’s take another look at some of the words we throw around to describe ourselves and our goals. Have you ever labeled yourself lazy but felt so drained? Do you sometimes talk about needing discipline or stronger will power? When we have the wrong idea about what fuels our work, it’s easy to wear ourselves out. Come on in, we’re talking about the negative self-talk and coping mechanisms that keep us worn down, and how to move in the opposite direction. This episode pairs with Weeks 9 & 10 of The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron Ask Molly answers a question how to build a daily writing practice into a hectic work schedule. Find out more at mollythorntonwrites.com…

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7. Coming Into Your Own as a Writer with Kat Taylor 51:58

3 years ago51:58

51:58

When life finds you elbows deep in a job you need to cover rent, how do you cultivate the beliefs and practices that keep the real you intact? Writer Kat Taylor is spilling her secrets about protecting herself and her writing life with a couple of small hours, explanations that keep people off your back, characters who wait patiently for your return, and someone in your corner who sees you as the glorious, complex, writerly self you are. ASK MOLLY Answers a question about how to get inspired for writing time when you are just plain tired and there's no relief in sight. Guest Bio: Kat Taylor is a multi-genre writer formerly based in Seattle, and currently on a journey in search of sunshine, palm trees, and a new hometown. Most recently, her work was featured in PULP Magazine. Kat is passionate about queer representation in young adult literature, explores the complexities of contemporary dating culture through personal essay, and is hard at work writing her first science fiction novel. Kat shares life on the road with her partner, and a festive llama dashboard ornament named Llucy. You can follow Kat on Instagram @kat_taylor_writes and at www.kattaylorwrites.com More on this episode at mollythorntonwrites.com…

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6. Writing's Unlikely Ingredients 49:27

3 years ago49:27

49:27

Wait—don’t put those in the compost, we need them! Mistakes, Failure, Rejection, Jealousy, and Loss are always stocked in my pantry. Find out what these icky parts of life have to do with creativity and why they’re embedded in every finished project. I promise you we will not be icing any cakes if we try to bypass the mess ups. Enough with the baking metaphor—we’re more than halfway through the Artist’s Way! This episode pairs with Weeks 7 & 8 of The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Ask Molly discusses how to translate a roundabout brain to the page and following what works for you when you just need something to respond to to get your words flowing.…

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5. Learning Luxury and Leaving Wet Blanket Mode 41:06

3 years ago41:06

41:06

What are god and money doing in our creative process?? This week we're rethinking definitions of spirituality and talking the benefit of unburdening our personal responsibility to be great and instead, listening and responding. What's going on with our rigid definitions of success, need for security, and tendencies to restrict ourselves out of a sense of virtue? It's all leading to this: "Buy the raspberries." This episode pairs with Weeks 5 & 6 of The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Ask Molly discusses what to do when your ideas are so amazing you're afraid to write them down--worried they won't live up to your expectations.…

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4. Why aliens make great writers + the inspiration that's wherever you are (with Nate’Eya Kahsai) 46:17

3 years ago46:17

46:17

A conversation with writer/director Nate’Eya Kahsai who shares the writing powers that come from feeling like a space alien and the personal benefits of centering yourself as the main character in your life (a main character who fuels up by writing a poem a day, to be specific.) She offers expansive perspectives on collaboration, cross-medium exploration, and how to get inspired. We also talk personal creative practice: how to do it, why it matters, and how it’s different from creating for a market or with a product in mind. ASK MOLLY offers 3 ways to get back into your writing when you're avoiding it, and it's avoiding you. Guest Bio: Writer/director Nate'Eya Kahsai fights for a wide range of voices in front of and behind the camera while managing her fun day job as a video editor at the Film Detective and Fandor. By the time Nate’Eya reached film school at UCLA, she knew she had something to say, both as a black queer woman and as an outsider. Since then, Nate’Eya has written and directed six short films, four music videos and partnered with countless diverse voices to bring their stories to screen. Nate’Eya crafts and contributes to projects across platforms--as writer and director.…

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3. Move Through “Official Feelings” and Embrace Change 50:40

3 years ago50:40

50:40

Just when you thought you were back in the saddle (aka creative practicing) you got caught up in some tough feelings. Have anger, shame, or unhelpful "feedback" snuck up on you? We're unpacking the inner changes and external friction that's likely to emerge as you deepen your commitment to yourself and your creative priorities. Listen in for support releasing negative and internalized beliefs, and reassurance that all this crunchy stuff is totally manageable. Plus, loads of assignments to support you in reflecting and healing your creativity for people who LOVE homework. This episode pairs with Weeks 3 & 4 of The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Ask Molly covers the idea of wasted words and how to keep writing when you don't trust yourself to get to the finish line.…

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1. Two Tools to Reengage Your Writing Process 1:00:23

3 years ago1:00:23

1:00:23

Creative blocks are not one size fits all. Yet, in Julia Cameron’s well known 12-week workbook The Artist’s Way there are two major practices designed to unblock the things that get us stuck. In Season One of Moonlight Writers Club, we’re exploring the best of this timeworn tale. Consider it a reimagined, highlights only, Cliff’s Notes version of this book that walks and talks. We explore how to navigate the spiritual aspects of this book, if that’s not exactly your jam, the possibilities of autonomy and self-love available in this practice, and unpack the two main tools that will lead you back to your creative process: Morning Pages and The Artist’s Date. This episode pairs with the Introduction of The Artist's Way. It also features an Ask Molly Question addressing how to write non-creative content.…

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2. Transition from Shadow Artist to Spotlight 53:35

3 years ago53:35

53:35

What feels like self-protection can be self-sabotage in disguise. Have you declined opportunities or followed a dead end path in an attempt to save yourself from disappointment? The crumbs of a creative life will never be satisfying, but the way to protect our artist selves isn’t as tough as you fear. If you’ve been living on the sidelines, stepping out isn’t any tougher than what you’re already dealing with, you’re strong enough, I'm sure. But, it does take a different set of skills. To navigate the perils of “poisonous playmates,” perfectionism, and negative core beliefs, we’ll have to be kind to our inner artist and bravely put an end to further harm. The good news: we don’t have to do it perfectly, and it’s a road paved with play. This episode pairs with The Artist's Way Weeks 1 and 2. It also features an Ask Molly Question addressing how to proceed in writing when you don't know what you don't know.…

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Welcome to Moonlight Writers Club 2:45

3 years ago2:45