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Resistance Isn't Futile. It just wants you to think resisting it, is.

Byizoldast

I’m reading Steven Pressfield’s excellent book, “The War of Art.” If you have any desire to pursue your art, run towards this book with open arms. So far, it’s amazing, validating, and oh so frustrating. Pressfield points out all the hidden places we run to keep ourselves from working on our art/craft. I’ve winced more…

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Derek Sivers' "If not hell yeah, then no." – My lesson on saying no

Byizoldast

I recently read Derek Siver’s excellent, short book, “Anything You Want.” One of the chapters is titled, “If not hell yeah, then no.” It means that unless you are excited to do something, don’t do it. Say no. Then, you leave yourself open to cool new opportunities that you will be thrilled to accept. I…

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"Never Tell Me The Odds" – Pushing out of our comfort zones

Byizoldast

Well, of course, I would quote one of my favorite characters from one of my favorite movies. That’s Han Solo from the Empire Strikes Back. When I was thirteen years old and seeing it for the first time, that line solidified something in me. It started my love affair with pushing my boundaries. I’ve jumped…

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We Are With You – On supportive creative communities

Byizoldast

Yesterday, I facilitated my “Present Out Loud” workshop at Balticon (the Maryland Regional Science Fiction/Fantasy convention). The workshop is on how to present/read your work at bookstore events, interviews, audio narrations, and workshops. We worked on breath technique, voicing, characterization, and how to differentiate your narrator from your characters and their dialogue. But mostly, we…

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On being a thick-skinned artist

Byizoldast

When you create, sensitivity is a must. But when you are trying to sell what you’ve created, it can be downright dangerous. This is what has me thinking this morning before I head out to another day at Balticon (The Baltimore Science Fiction Convention at which I am a presenter/participant this year). I’m about to…

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It turns out I like the flurry – tending to stay in motion

Byizoldast

Yesterday was a crazy day in my life. I had to complete two vastly different projects. First, I was presenting my “Let’s Talk Clouds” workshop at a local middle school. As the Earth Lady, I work with schools to help students jump-start their interest in science, specifically Earth Science. Then, I switched gears and released…

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Building my sand castles (or the devil is in the grains of sand)

Byizoldast

I feel like I’ve joined the rest of you in the 21st century. I’m signing up for paperless billing (I can handle getting everything via email and still pay all my bills and do all my accounting, right? Right? I’m not so brain-fried that I can’t manage that, I hope.) It’s always interesting to me…

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Vacations: a vital part of life.

Byizoldast

Why I take vacations I don’t do it often, but it turns out I need the recharge time. I’m crawling back to myself on this break. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my roles in the lives of my friends, my clients, my students, and the world at large. The big revelation? I…

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Productivity Tuesday: On the count of 5

Byizoldast

I stay busy. I work 10-14 hours almost every day. I have seven different businesses going at the same time. So, if I’m going to get anything done, I’d better be efficient and productive. I wish I could do it consistently, but like everyone, I go through periods where I just don’t want to get…

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So, get to it already. (the idea, the motivation, and the desire – the necessary pieces of creation)

Byizoldast

Sometimes, wisdom knocks me on the noggin from the most unexpected places. I was watching a random episode of Warehouse 13 while I was eating dinner and Kelly Hu’s character (she’s the new owner of the B&B) said the following to Claudia about her wanting to be the new caretaker of the Warehouse.  “If you…