Susan Gabriel's Blog, page 12
December 14, 2015
Redwood Trees and How to Live a Creative Life by Elle Luna
In this short excerpt from the essay entitled The Crossroads of Should and Must, artist and writer Elle Luna talks honestly about her struggle to have a creative life. She discovered her art was one of those things she MUST do, as opposed to all the shoulds that kept her worried and distracted. If you are creative person and struggle to find...
December 9, 2015
From The Front Porch: Interview with Photographer R. K. Young
Photographer R. K. Young (a.k.a. Becky) is a professional photographer and artist (and a dear friend) who lives in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Becky is our latest artist to participate in the From the Front Porch Interviews–a series of interviews with creative people–most of whom are working fulltime doing other...
November 24, 2015
Top 27 Favorite Gratitude Quotes
In some ways, Thanksgiving is my favorite American holiday. Especially, if it means we pause long enough before stuffing ourselves to express our gratitude for the people, places and things that grace our lives. While life can be hard sometimes, most of us also have plenty to be grateful for. To help get us in the mood, I am posting my Top 27...
November 17, 2015
When Did You Lose Your Creative Voice?
When did you lose your creative voice? Are you ready to reclaim it? In Seth Godin’s latest book, What To Do When It’s Your Turn, he addresses what causes us to lose our ability to be creative.
I’ve experience many wildly talented and creative people who are terrified to put their creative work out into the world. I am one of...
October 20, 2015
Southern Secrets and Author Update
Dear friends,
I miss you! If you haven’t heard from me lately it’s because I’ve been a tad busy. The good news is: I’m having a super-focused and productive year so far.
First of all, my first box set, called Southern Secrets, is out as of this week
It contains my latest novel Temple Secrets and my earlier novel ...
October 3, 2015
13 Things I Reveal About Myself in Temple Secrets
Novelists often reveal themselves in their writing. While telling a great story is always the most important part – not the writer’s life – the creators are behind the scenes leaving breadcrumbs for readers to follow along the way.
My latest novel, Temple Secrets, may not be about my life exactly, but it certainly reveals what...
September 23, 2015
From the Front Porch: Interview with Susan Bernhardt
From the Front Porch: Creativity Interview with author, Susan Bernhardt. Susan writes cozy mysteries, is a follower of this blog, and has been a writer friend for several years. I’m honored to introduce her to you. Welcome, Susan!
Interview questions:
Tell us a little about yourself. Perhaps what do you do for a living and where you...
September 16, 2015
Have You Heard of the Bechdel Test?
Have you heard of the Bechdel Test? It measures just how women-friendly mainstream films and fiction really are using a simple 3 question criteria.
Alison Bechdel is an American cartoonist whose graphic memoir Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic (this is an excellent memoir, by the way) was adapted as a musical and won a Tony Award for Best Musical in...
September 11, 2015
Got Muse? Joseph Campbell on Where to Find Inspiration
What is your view on muses? Do you have one? Want one? Need one?
The following quote by American mythologist, writer and lecturer, Joseph Campbell has some really interesting things to say about where inspiration comes from.
As for me, I think of my muse as a part of me that waits for me to sit, get still and open myself to whatever story...
September 1, 2015
Monk Manifesto: How to Live a More Creative Life
Want to become a monk with me? I ran across this Monk Manifesto on Krista Tippet’s blog over at OnBeing a few days ago and loved it. The subtitle for the post is: Seven Principles for Living With Deep Intention. If you know me even a little, you probably know that a title and subtitle like that is something that will draw me right in. I...
