Writerly – Why? What? What’s next?

Hello my favourite people who follow the blog I am most likely to keep up!

You may have noticed I’m getting to put all my creative passions into a new project: Writerly Kits.  Coaching, creativity coaching. Writing. Painting. Pottery. Coffee. Ships. Alternate Identity Trading Company. A hint of magic.  Insightful contributions from grandchildren. And especially, supporting others to find their best way to get to the things that truly matter. That matters.

I’m delighted by this project. Only the endless learning around getting the word out there is a bit of an … um… endless learning. Ha ha. But I’m learning.

I’m sharing what’s inside these Writerly Kits. Just thought you’d like to know more about this crazy project.
I’d absolutely love to hear what you think about this concept, and would appreciate any ideas you’d like to share.  Thanks in advance!

September “Imagination Gone Wild”  2018 Kit Reveal

Imagination Gone Wild!

The Theme: Landing on doorsteps now, an  experience that will take your imagination and intuition to a whole new level!  Really, this is a gift for you from your imagination.

As creative folks, I know you already have a good imagination. You already do think outside the box. But, we do end up creating a new box – it’s a weirder shape than the average box  but it, too, can use some wild ways to take it up a notch;  for writing our books, for making it easier to get to our writing, and even more, to enhance all we do in our lives.

What’s included:

Birchwood Kit: Value $40

Writerly Notebook and Planner: Value $44  An unusual twist –  getting to use your imagination to help you get organized and focussed in a way that makes sense to you. Our imagination is everything – including key to making those typically logical left brain functions work better!

For your planner, we’ve included:

1. Birchwood engraved notebook covers, designed by us and created by Kyle Rankin and Kamloops Makerspace.
2. Dividers with a pocket, an old fashioned library card,and an oldstyle luggage tag.
3. Sections:
   1. Weekly planner pages
   2. Creativity and imagination builders
   3. Quality plain paper
   4. Lined paper
   5. Post-it dividers
   6. Art paper
   7. Torn paper (with a purpose!)

Sharpie Fine Art Pens:  Value $5 The best thing Sharpie has made yet, we think!

Alternate Identity Trading Company Cards: Value $12  A collection of wild characters nagged to be included to assist writers as they take their imaginations to a whole new level, or ten.

Character stickers: Value $4  Explore traits, quirks, and even sleeping habits of the characters in your stories, (or even in your novel mind!) Great moveable stickers for your writerly notebook!

Zack’s Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans: Value $5   Locally roasted and loved and wow to kicking your imagination in gear!

Zack’s Costa Rica Blend Coffee Beans: Value $4  A favourite in town!

Imagine Calm Lavender:  Value $5  To calm that wild mind when needed. Grown, harvested and created by children who also sprinkled extra magic on top.

Do Not Disturb Door/computer hanger:  Value $ 6  Fun, isn’t it?

Letter from Indie Author, Dennis Staginnus:  Priceless support and encouragement

Letter to and from your imagination: $3

Green Tea packets: $1

Wood Kit total retail value: $129

Kraft Kit total retail value: $89  (1st and 4th kits are wood, 2nd and 3rd  kits arrive in our beautiful kraft manuscript size box, repeating)

All for subscriber price of $68 (or less if you choose 6 month or yearly subscription options)

This kit is too precious not to make available for a little longer. Check it out here  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What’s Next?

Arriving on your doorstep just in time for

Hallowe’en and NANOWRIMO

Not kitschy Hallowe’eny – this classy kit arrives at a perfect time of year to make friends with your creative monsters and the book that haunts you.
This is the boost you’ll love to get your damn book done!

~~~~~

And this is what was in our first ever Writerly Kit:  “Seaworthy”
July 2018

Item by item reveal, plus a sweet box opening video here.

Brian Dettmer.. and how to view his brilliance and be kind to your creative soul.

Sometimes I’m wowed beyond wow… and the sculptured altered books of Brian Dettmer are in that category. A video link is below plus a link of ‘still’ images so you can take in the detail.

But before you sneak off there, know this:

If you are a creative being arriving here because maybe you searched altered books and have been considering taking up that fine craft… Breath.

When you get there and one part of you is in awe, but the other part- the inner critic -starts blabbering stuff like: “you’re not good enough”  “If you can’t do this perfectly, don’t even start”  “oh man, I suck big time” and you feel your enthusiasm and energy start to dwindle, DO THIS:

1. Know that you are normal for a creative person.

2. Showing up to your creativity IS the important part… you’re being called to show up. What evolves is your journey – nobody elses… because you are a unique creative being. (read number 4 on how to show up)

3. It’s okay if you don’t become a Brian Dettmer overnight. In fact, you don’t really want to become a Brian Dettmer.  Being you is your ideal. What that looks like in your creative expression might still be an unknown.  And that’s okay.

4. And if it’s altered books you want to experiment with, get out the razor knife and any old book and start cutting.  Give yourself permission to create something ‘small and crappy.’ (KMCC tool) This is an excellent way of thinking  for sneaking past all the fears, high expectations, overwhelm, and self-sabotaging talk.  Sounds ridiculous, right? It works. It works over and over and over again.  So go, chop up a book!

(If you are freaking out at the concept of chopping up a book, I get it. I personally will go to the used book store and get the books that are ready to go to the dump. It happens in book stores. Then, I feel like I’ve given the ‘dump-designated’ new life.)

Want to know what possessed me to write this? (Apparently, I’m going to tell you anyway  ~smile~) I found Brian Dettmer’s  work while looking up altered book techniques. I’ve dabbled in this art form, and am considering doing a creativity/ discovery course that would involve altered books.  I looked at Brian’s work and I, who helps others get past creative and life blocks, felt my energy drain. But I did notice and, as long as we notice, there’s ways to get past that.

THEN I wanted to share his amazing work, and you know, I hesistated. Because the people I work/play with  are ‘right brainers’ and we do tend to have inner critics to deal with AND SO, I created this long and meandering prelude to introduce you to the works of Brian Dettmer.

Phew. Now, you have the tools to go see Brian Dettmer’s works and  truly be inspired and in awe.

Youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ5QGsiiUmc

(it refused to embed here.. sorry)

Still images:    http://centripetalnotion.com/2007/09/13/13:26:26/